Its cowherd-building season in much of the U.S. Herd-building efforts are especially critical this year after the ongoing drought led many producers to liquidation and other tough management decisions. However, for those rebuilding, this year’s opportunity comes with an added incentive. Strong, late-2022 prices for replacement heifers indicate optimism for upcoming months.

A strong feeder market signals great rewards and immediate gains for cattlemen with more head to sell. But the longer-lasting advantage will be for those who take steps to improve herd genetics. Increased price spreads for upper, two-thirds and prime beef carcasses push producers to focus on high-quality grading genetics and a need for improved feed efficiencies and traceability.

Read more on herd building and improved genetics here.