We Are Pretty Different

DR. ANDREW P. GRIFFITH

KNOXVILLE, TENN.

   In a nation that seems to be stuck in a revolving door concerning the topics of equality, fairness, diversity, and the desire to be different, the cattle business is a good example of how some of these things are appropriate at times and not appropriate at other times. 

   This is not meant to be a poke at politics or political correctness, but this is meant to bring light to the fact that everything does not fit into a nice little box or package in life as it relates to worldly things. Simple examples in the mainstream world include criticism in the National Football League that there are not enough black head coaches, too few women in executive positions, or not enough minorities in this or that profession or position.

   Some of these concerns are legitimate. However, the aspect that seems to be overlooked is physical limitations. Every person has a set of natural and learned talents, and they may or may not fit the box society is trying to push a particular person into. Thus, if every coaching or executive position in this country was filled by a black person or a woman, would our society miss out on other strengths of black people and women? On the flip side, if people of other demographics were not a coach or business executive, would society miss out on those people’s strengths as well?

   Readers are probably thinking this is teetering on the edge of being political, and wondering how this relates to the cattle business. 

   However, the cattle business and education professionals (i.e. myself) struggle with these same issues. The main issue is everything that is said or written makes it sound like every cattle producer should be doing the same thing. The challenge comes from talking in general terms, which ends up grouping everyone together. The truth is that every cattle producer has a different set of physical resources, knowledge, desire to perform certain production practices, and idea of what “pretty” is. These differences are what results in the need for different management styles and differences across operations.

   For example, the Black Angus breed is represented in some form or fashion on many cattle operations due to the premium generated by the Certified Angus Beef program. However, there are a few producers who do not use Black Angus genetics while others may use too much. The reasons for these extremes may be due to what one person considers “pretty,” the ease of studying only one set of EPD definitions, or the goals of the operation. However, these same producers may be gaining or giving up production efficiencies due to their decisions. 

   For example, a seed stock producer is not likely to mate two different established breeds if the producer is marketing registered herd sires and females. Alternatively, a commercial producer who has straight line bred for several years could probably benefit from crossbreeding if they desire hybrid vigor in their herd. Yet another example, mating determinations for a producer who is focused on carcass characteristics will likely be different from the producer marketing cattle at weaning.

   Environment also plays a role in decision making. Regional climatic conditions suit some breeds of cattle more than others, but this is not the end of the decision making. Stocking rates differ by climate and forage producing ability. One producer may decide to stock pasture lighter to reduce the number of hay feeding days while others may stock heavier due to the availability of hay resources or other feedstuffs.

   More examples could be discussed but the point of this discussion is that every cattle producer has a different set of physical resources, knowledge base, goals, and management style. There is sure to be a profit maximizing methodology for each operation based on these four characteristics, but it is more difficult to discern than an outsider can see.

   It is a good thing that people are different, and that cattle producers have different ideas. What would happen if every cattle producer had the same breeding season and if all calves were born on April 15th? What if every commercial cattle producer crossed Hereford and Angus cattle? What if every producer decided to start finishing cattle on grass? The questions could continue, but thank goodness cattle producers are not all on the same program. After all, cattle producers are people just like those pushing equality, fairness, and diversity. No two cows, two people, or two cattle operations are exactly the same. It is a great thing that we are all pretty different, but that does not mean we cannot all share similarities! ∆

   DR. ANDREW P. GRIFFITH: Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee