Help in Making the Decision

Matt Spangler outlines need for a web-based decision-support tool to combine all sources of information into one resource for sire selection decisions.

by Raney Lovorn, Angus Journal® intern

BILOXI, Miss. (June 11, 2015) — Despite advances in selection technologies, producer use of technology as a whole has been poor, according to Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska. During the 2015 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Convention, Spangler addressed the need for decision-support software as a tool for genetic selection in the beef industry.

Because cattle genetics do not change as quickly or as visibly as traits such as weight or health, people often have a hard time understanding the changes they need to make, Matt Spangler said.

When producers were asked who they turned to for help in making selection decisions, they went to everyone but resources like extension personnel, university faculty, scientists or other experts, Spangler said. They instead turned to individuals like close neighbors and family friends without access to information like professionals.

“Poor technology adoption is really related to the sum of a lot of underlying issues,” Spangler said. “Genetic prediction to the layperson seems very opaque.”

Because cattle genetics do not change as quickly or as visibly as traits such as weight or health, people often have a hard time understanding the changes they need to make, Spangler said.

“Commercial producers in general, I would argue, and this is not meant to be a criticism, often don’t have the needed time to excel in all areas,” Spangler said.

“Time is focused on routine day-to-day management, be it nutrition, be it reproduction, financial management, employee management or otherwise, and genetic selection decisions are made once a year at bull-buying time.”

Bull selection is a difficult process with a high number of complicated physical and economic variables, Spangler said. It is a lot to ask a producer to consider in the amount of time that they have while reading a standard bull sale catalog, he continued.

“The critical need is a web-based decision-support tool to aid in really combining all sources of information toward sire selection decisions that are economically focused and assistance in determining the value proposition of increased information content,” Spangler said. “That’s a fancy way of saying what is the value of me generating and potentially paying for additional phenotypes.”

Spangler maintained that although there are many partial solutions to the problem of bull selection, the multitude of half answers only further confuses producers.

The software all-in-one solution that Spangler proposed would include an economic index that caters to the individual producer and a report listing all of the best bull candidates at a particular sale based on their relative value.

“The benefits to this to the commercial producers I would hope would be obvious,” Spangler said. “The benefits to the seedstock sector as I mentioned can help clientele become more profitable.”

The 2015 BIF Annual Convention was hosted by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi. The Angus Journal and LiveAuctions.tv provide comprehensive online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the Newsroom for summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio of the sessions; the Awards page for announcements of award winners; and the Photos page for photo galleries of the tour stops.

Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®. Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.

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