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Now's the Time!
| Welcome to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association data management and animal identification system and to the exciting world of data management. This division of the ICA, has completed its tenth year of working with Midwest cattle producers. The ICA system is a management tracking and animal identification division that officially opened for business on August 5, 1998. This program offers producers various opportunities to learn more about the quality and consistency of the beef they are producing through the creation of a database which, will track calves from birth to box. In addition, tagging calves with this system can help bring you into compliance with the source verification and birth certification. Producers can buy into the system, which includes electronic eartags, for a per-head fee. |
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“Currently, more than 150,000 animals have been tagged into the system. There are several ways to get on board,” says Kellie Carolan, ICA. “Producers can pay a per-head fee, buy a computer and reader and tag the cattle themselves, then send the information to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Or, producers can create a ‘bar code herd,’” says Carolan. The bar code sheets, which correspond with the electronic eartags, are then sent to the ICA office with the information recorded in written form. This system allows producers to work cattle whenever they choose, without the expense of a computer and reader.
In addition to the 150,000 animals tagged, more than 50,000 animals have been harvested and carcass data collected on each individual animal. From that information, producers can make management decisions based on how well their cattle performed on the grid.
Feedlot research has shown that an average pen of feedlot cattle has a real value range of $300 to $400 per head within the pen. This is due to the difference in individual performance and carcass traits. Individual animal tracking can help you identify the more profitable cattle.
Just think about...identify and remove the bottom 1/3 of genetics on a profit basis, replace with cows & bulls that produce above average for the herd and imagine your extra profit potential!
Example: Net Return Per Cow Per Year*
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Cow A
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Cow B
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Advantage
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WW (at $1/lb)
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450 lbs
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548 lbs
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$98.00
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ADG-Feedlot
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2.58 lbs/day
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3.22 lbs/day
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$52.50
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Carcass Value
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$153.52
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Total Advantage of Cow B over Cow A
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$304.02
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*Based on 3 years of data from an actual customer
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