Evaluating Beef Cow Productivity Based on Historical Offspring Performance

Industry standards for cow evaluations based on calf performance typically use Most Probable Producing Ability, which does not consider performance past weaning. In more recent years technologies such as grid marketing and individual animal identification have provided more data in later stages of fed cattle production and brought about opportunities to enhance cow evaluation. This study suggests two methods of cow evaluation using lifetime performance of calves; one on individual cows and one using cows grouped by age. Even with unaccounted variation of sires, some cows consistently produced an above- or below-average finished animal. Younger cows and very old cows typically produced calves with lower lifetime returns, but causes varied between efficiency, weight, and carcass quality. Both methods highlight calf performance relationships and show potential for enhancing management decision-making.