Episode 26: The Gap Between Function and the Show Ring

-Full video episode available on YouTube-

What happens when the traits rewarded in the show ring drift away from the traits that keep cattle productive in the pasture?

In this episode, Patrick Powers is joined by Grant Vassberg and John Atkinson to discuss Grant’s recent trip to Thailand, where he judged cattle and got a firsthand look at how show ring priorities influence breeding decisions.

The experience sparked a broader conversation about how selection pressure shapes cattle populations over time. When breeding decisions begin to prioritize appearance, trends, or marketing, the traits that matter most in the pasture such as fertility, efficiency, structural soundness, and longevity can slowly fall out of focus.

From there, the discussion widens to examples from around the world including the Philippines, Brazil, and Australia, where industry incentives and breeding trends have pushed cattle in very different directions. Again and again, the same pattern appears. When selection pressure moves away from biological function, producers often end up compensating with more inputs, more management, and lower overall fertility, ultimately draining profit from the operation.

At its core, this episode explores the growing gap between what is rewarded in the show ring and what actually works in real production environments.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/1m3iNCWaVMg

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https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about function, fertility, or how selection pressure shapes cattle, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo.

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Episode 25: Panama’s Fertility Paradox with Roderick Murray

-Full video episode available on YouTube-

What happens when a country selects cattle for trophies instead of calves?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Roderick Murray to unpack hard numbers, hard lessons, and a practical path back to fertility and profitability on grass. Drawing from herd-level observations and long-term production data, we discuss why birth rates have remained stuck between 35 and 60 percent, why age at first calving has stretched past 42 months, and why steers often take more than three years to finish, even as nutrition and management improved.

Roderick explains how a 1990s push for larger frames and heavier carcasses, reinforced by show ring culture and a government backed sire program, unintentionally selecting for later maturity, contributed to cattle that struggle outside high input systems. The result has been declining fertility, calving challenges, udder issues, and animals that perform well on paper but fall short under real pasture conditions.

We also talk about what is changing. Research and producer herds in Panama are re evaluating local Creole genetics for early maturity, fertility, and adaptation, then using thoughtful crossbreeding, including Nelore, to improve reproduction and calf vigor without increasing inputs.

The solution is not always imported. Often, it is already adapted to the environment and available right in your backyard.

If you care about cattle that work where they live, this conversation offers data, perspective, and a clear look at how incentives shape outcomes.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/SCPLPJD5t48

Connect with Dr. Roderick Murray:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderickagm

Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about fertility, genetics, or how incentives shape outcomes, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo. These conversations spread one producer at a time.

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Episode 24: Matching Cattle to Country with Matt Robbins

What if the fastest path to profit is choosing cows that match your weather, then letting grass lead the schedule? We sit down with Matt Robbins to unpack how his family left hay dependence, heavy inputs, and misaligned genetics behind and built a resilient, profitable herd for hot, humid Arkansas.

Matt explains why management and genetics have to move together. We dive into a Mashona-led composite built for heat, humidity, and parasites, paired with a 45-day breeding season and Zietsman’s two-three standard that selects for true fertility under pressure. On the ground, ultra-high-density grazing includes about four moves a day at up to a million pounds per acre. This approach drives uniform utilization, deeper rest, stronger stockpiles, and fewer days feeding hay. We talk practical numbers from cow size to supplemental protein costs, and how rotating by recovery, not the calendar, keeps forage quality and animal performance aligned.

This conversation tackles myths head-on. We discuss why EPDs fade across environments, how warm-season forage often labeled “poor” can support excellent production with the right cattle, and where a one-time amendment can ethically and profitably jump-start a tired pasture. The unexpected wins are everywhere. Soils become spongier, native grasses return, drought resilience improves without destocking, and wildlife and water quality benefit as the land breathes again. If you’re curious how to run more cows on the same acres, reduce inputs, and buy back your time with a tight calving window, this is your playbook.

Connect with Matt Robbins:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobbinsRanch1961/

Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about cattle, land, or management, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo. These conversations spread one producer at a time.

Follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

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