What is The Ideal Cow?

If there is ever a time that a cattle producer ponders the question: "What is the ideal cow?" it has to be during the winter months.  With the onset of winter it is critical that your cattle head into the season in optimum body condition, health and vitality in order to come out the other side of winter in good shape, with healthy calves and plenty of vigor to bloom on spring grass.  If for whatever reason this isn't the case you will spend the rest of the winter scrambling behind the 8-ball to get them through.  Winter is always stressful on cows, calves and the rancher as we worry and fret and feed our way through the tough, cold months.  It is also a time for reflection.  We have more time on our hands because of the lack of daylight so we have more time to ponder and plan for the coming year.

So...what is the ideal cow?  Personally I like Travis Meteer's answer ( University of Illinois, Extension).  He recently wrote an article on just this subject.  The Ideal cow is... one that makes you money and doesn't try to kill you!!!!  Well said Travis, that about sums it up.
The long answer is that it depends on your operation.  Commercial producers that sell calves at a local auction house may want a lower input cow with a middle-of-the-road frame and milk so they can run more cows per acre yet still turn out a product that cattle buyers like.
If you are selling cattle in a niche market like show cattle you would want something completely different.  The bottom line is the ideal cow is one that fits your unique operation and your personal business plan.  Many times small to mid-size ranchers just shoot from the hip hoping to survive from one year to the next and make a profit.  When prices are high this free-wheeling approach may work fine but it doesn't protect your business from tough times like those we are currently experiencing.  It is important to decide who you want to be in this business, how to differentiate yourself from everyone else and find a niche that allows your business to excel in good times and in bad.  A straightforward business plan not only helps the small rancher achieve his/her goals, it is a blueprint for survival.  To come out the other side of trending downward prices we must be willing to ask ourselves the tough questions, be innovative and more than anything else, have a clear definition of who we are and what type of operation we strive to be.

In the end the short answer is simple.  Cows that make you money and don't try to kill you or your horse! Giddy Yup! I'm ready for spring!

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