TAGS: Marketing, Overseas

December 18, 2014

When the wildfires tore through the southern Plains, they destroyed homes, some peoples livelihoods, and even genetics.

Greg Gardiner, co-owner of the Gardiner Angus Ranch in Ashland, Kan., lost approximately 500 cattle in the blaze. The Gardiner family has been fine-tuning the genetic make-up of their Angus herd for years.

Some of Gardiners donor cows survived during the fire, saving multiple generations of genetics. Other ranchers are experiencing the same story; however, their losses might not be realized for years.

Five years ago, a drought plagued the southern Plains, causing producers to cull as much as 30 percent of their herd, according to Greg Henderson, editorial director of Drovers. To rebuild the herd, they used younger and more genetically desirable animals.

The seed stock operations in the region lost many of the animals that would be next years breeding stock, said Henderson. The fires will represent more than a step back genetically for ranchers.

For more wildfire information and how you can help, click here.

See more here:
Valuable Cattle Genetics Among Losses in Wildfires - AgWeb