As fall approaches and spring-born calves near weaning, you have one of the most valuable opportunities of the year to collect performance records. While weaning weights often get the most attention, mature cow data can provide meaningful insights for both herd management and genetic evaluation.

Each year, about 75% of calves reported to Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®) are born in the spring. That makes fall weaning season an ideal time to collect key records on both calves and cows, including weaning weights, mature weights, body condition scores (BCS), mature heights, and foot scores.

Why mature cow data matters

Mature cow records do more than satisfy reporting requirements. They help producers evaluate the efficiency and productivity of their cow herd.

These records can help answer questions such as “Which females maintain body condition most efficiently while raising a calf?” or “Which cow families are contributing the most value to my herd?” 

The information also plays an important role in improving the accuracy of genetic predictions. Mature cow and weaning data contributes to expected progeny differences (EPDs) such as Weaning Weight (WW), Milk, Mature Weight (MW) and Mature Height (MH), along with several $Value indexes, including Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M), Beef Value ($B), and thus, Combined Value ($C).

More data, better evaluations

There remains opportunity for more mature cow data to be collected and submitted to AHIR. While AHIR is currently up 29% for mature cow weights submitted for the year, there are more females in the Angus population to be measured.

While yearling weight provides an indication of future mature size, actual mature cow measurements offer the most direct assessment of a female’s long-term performance. The more mature cow records available, the better genetic evaluation can describe differences among animals.

Simply put, if mature cows are not being measured, their performance is not fully represented in the data.

Reasons data is excluded

One of the most common reasons mature cow records are excluded from genetic evaluation is incomplete information.

For mature cow weights to be used, they must also have a body condition score reported that has been measured +/- 45 days of her calf being weaned. A standalone mature weight or BCS cannot be used in the genetic evaluation, nor is it overly helpful for management decisions. A BCS of 6 has a different meaning on a 1,200-pound (lb.) cow than it does on a 1,600-lb. cow. Together, weight and condition score provide a more complete picture.

Another common issue occurs when a calf has a birth record but no weaning record. If the calf does not report a weaning weight, the dam’s mature cow data cannot be properly linked and may be excluded from evaluation.

Make the most of weaning

Weaning season is a busy time, but it provides an opportunity to collect multiple records at once. Recording mature weight, body condition score, mature height, foot scores and calf weaning data can provide valuable information for future management and selection decisions.

This fall, take the opportunity to collect complete mature cow data. Your records help improve decision-making today while ensuring your females are represented in the genetic evaluations that shape the Angus breed tomorrow.