Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode: Cow Herd Genetics: Know Exactly What You Have & Need And Record Cattle Prices
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner (Tigger & BEC)
Date: October 12, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into understanding and managing cow herd genetics, with a focus on using genomic testing to make informed decisions for breeding as well as profit optimization. Tigger interviews Larry Grand of Jorgensen Land and Cattle about practical genomic testing on cow herds and its impact on breeding strategies and profitability. The episode also covers record-breaking cattle market news and pricing updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Cow Herd Genetics

• Tigger introduces the concept: “What if you knew exactly what your cowherd base was?...It’s not just heading to the bull sale and purchasing that particular bull with the highest weaning weight EPD.” [00:02]
• Focus is on understanding not just the bulls but also the female side and overall herd genetics.

2. Genomic Testing in Practice with Larry Grand (Jorgensen Land & Cattle)

A. Why Genomic Testing?

• Larry explains their goal: “We run DNA tests on commercial heifers or cows…what we’re trying to do is get a baseline of what that cow herd is. It helps us to better select the bulls for our commercial customers to create the calves that they want…” [01:56]
• Testing at various stages: bred heifers, 3-year-olds, or even before selecting replacements.

B. Flexibility of Testing

• “It doesn’t matter what age we test these heifers at. We can test them at branding, preconditioning, when we bangs vaccinate, even older cows.” [03:29]
• 17 traits are analyzed, including milk, weaning, yearling weights, dry matter intake, and more.

C. Real-World Surprises & Adjustments

• Sometimes DNA results surprise producers:
  • “Every once in a while…we get DNA back, and it’s like…‘You’re only at an 18 milk. You could go up to a 24, 25 milk and be okay and will increase your weaning weights.’” [05:09]
  • This leads to more precise bull selection and herd improvements.

D. Cost and Logistics

• “It’s $39 a head…includes all the equipment necessary to pull the DNA sample.” [06:37]
• DNA sample collection is simple (small ear punch) with custom EID and panel tags available, including personalized printing. [07:26]

E. Overcoming Skepticism

• Tigger asks about veteran ranchers: “How do you deal with…someone who says ‘Larry, I know my cow herd and I know what they can and can't do?’” [08:47]
• Larry:
  • “That’s great…but my question…‘How do your cattle grade? How do they do in the feedlot?’…9 times out of 10, they’ll say, ‘Well, no, we just sell our calves, we don’t get paid for that.’…Every feedlot or buyer knows what a set of calves do…And it’s all about profitability…can you cut your feed intake down and still wean the same amount of calf pounds?” [08:53–10:24]

F. Environmental Adaptation

• Tigger on environment: “How much does environment come into play when you start analyzing this data?” [10:45]
• Larry: “We have to take into account the environment…We have…hair shedding studies…most of those bulls are going down to the southeast…When we get up here in the Northern Plains…you can’t get carried away with milk…those cows in some of the mountain states…they’re only 21 to 23 milk…You’ve got to have the right animals for the right environment.” [11:51–14:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On genomics:
  “We can truly assess the cow herd as to what the bull needs are and really create better cows for our customers.” — Larry Grand [03:45]

• On the limits of traditional knowledge:
  “How do your cattle grade? How do they do on the rail?…Have you ever got any feedback back? And 9 times out of 10, they’ll say, ‘Well, no, we just sell our calves.’” — Larry Grand [08:53]

• On environmental fit:
  “We really have to be cognizant of the environment that they’re going into…Hey, there’s a real good chance this cow is gonna fall apart because she’s just not built for 7,000 feet in Laramie, Wyoming…So we really have to be careful.” — Larry Grand [13:42]

• On efficiency and profit:
  “It’s all about profitability. If we can cut your feed intake down and still wean the same amount of calf pounds…you get to run more cows and take that savings to something really productive.” — Larry Grand [10:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Time | |--------------------------------------------------------|----------| | Introduction; Why Genetics Matter | 00:02 | | Genomic Testing Explained (Larry Grand) | 01:56 | | How & When to Test Cattle | 03:29 | | Producer Surprises & Adjusting Breeding Program | 05:09 | | DNA Test Cost & Logistics | 06:37 | | Overcoming Producer Skepticism | 08:47 | | Efficiency and Hidden Profitability | 09:29 | | Role of Environment in Genetics | 11:51 |

Cattle Market News & Record Prices

• Historic Sale at Crawford Livestock Market (Nebraska):

  • 39 personal barn records and 25 Nebraska state records shattered.
  • Produced four top ten all-time prices for five weights, six for six weights. “One of the greatest livestock sales ever held.” [16:52]
  • (Full breakdown in show notes at ranchitupshow.com)

• Other Market Updates:

  • Federal court allows lawsuit against USDA's EID-ear tag rule to proceed [18:45]
  • Livestock killings in Duchesne County, Utah—a $20,000 reward for information. [19:57]

Weekly Market Recap (with Kirk Donsbach)

• Feeder Futures:
  • October feeder futures: $357.07 ½ (up 2½ cents)
  • CME feeder index: $362.57 (down $2.47)
• Choice Boxes:
  • Down $9.16 at $362.27
  • Estimated spot packer margins losing over $200/h
• Corn:
  • December: $4.19 ½ (down 2¢), market waiting on harvest yield reports [22:45]

Technological Advances in Ranching

• Segment from Shay Wanner, Casual Cattle Conversations:
  • Using Series Tag and Range View technology, ranchers can track grazing movement and intake over time.
  • “Different cows intake different amounts of feed at different life cycles…Understanding the efficiency of those cows gives us a much better ability to manage our forage and our cattle…” — Guest, Casual Cattle Conversations [24:04]

Closing Notes and Next Episode

• This is the first part of a two-part series; next week will explore the “numbers, dollars and cents” of applying genomic technology [15:11].
• Sale reports and production sale details at ranchchannel.com.

Summary

This episode provides a straightforward, practical breakdown of how and why to use genomic testing on cowherds. Through examples and candid discussion, Tigger and Larry Grand show how DNA-based herd analysis moves the industry forward, marrying tradition with science to improve herd quality, environmental adaptation, and profitability. The episode is rounded out with notable cattle market news and previews of the financial impact discussion to come.