(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2007) Vanek, Joseph Keith; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Myles Watts.
Higher quality beef can only be distinguished from lower quality beef in the final stages of production when animals are slaughter. Because of quality measurement issues it is difficult to determine and value higher quality animals at the individual levels of beef production. Cow-calf producers are the primary supply of cattle into the beef marketing chain. The genetics introduced at this level follow through to the slaughter stage. Cow-calf producers use expected progeny differences (EPDs) provided at seed stock bull sales to make selective breeding decisions. The introduction of carcass EPDs has technologically advanced a cow-calf producer's ability to select bulls based on carcass quality traits. A cow-calf producer will increase profits by reacting to market conditions and selectively choosing breeding livestock.
