American Chianina Association: Where do we fit?

The world we live in is rapidly changing around us. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population growth is estimated at 7 billion over the next five years or an increase of about 74 million per year. Will there be enough food and how much of the world population will be able to afford food? The two countries with the largest population growth are China and India.

World food demand is being driven by two things – population growth and per capita consumption. Changes in per capita consumption will be at the heart of the supply and demand balance over the next few years.

Let’s bring this issue closer to home. The U.S. cowherd inventory is at the lowest point in 50 years and is down 1% compared to April 2009. The number of cattle operations in the US has decreased by 10% from 2000 to 2007 or by approximately 108,930 farms and ranches. Despite efforts to protect agricultural land, over 1 million acres of farm and ranch land in this country is lost to permanent conversion each year.

Does all this sound like a gloomy forecast to you? Well, I see it as a tremendous opportunity for Chianina breeders!!!

This economic and agricultural forecast for the next several years may be the catalyst this breed has been waiting for to expose to the entire cattle industry what we have known for several years; what this great breed can really do in terms of efficiency, fertility, longevity, carcass merit and providing a great eating experience.

As an association with a promotion fund in place we are committed to design a new promotion concept to emphasize these unique assets of Chianina cattle.

If you go to the website, www.cattle.com and reference Chianina cattle, you will find the following description: "The cross between a Chianina with any of the British breeds emphasizes hybrid vigor, exceptional growth rates and even makes calving easier due to the Chianina having a slender shaped head. The Chianina can boast of having a high lean to fat ratio – exceptional even amongst Continental breeds. The introduction of Chianina genetics leads to a reduction of waste fat in calves. It also lessens the incidence of genetic problems amongst the crossbreds. Chianina bulls produce uniformity amongst all their crosses, a desirable trait for feedlots and those seeing these terminal sires."

"The first of these programs began in 1976 by crossing a Chianina to an Angus. The Chiangus is a prime example of breed complementarity. The black, polled offspring capitalize on the outstanding qualities of their parents. Cows have a long reproductive ability and are very fertile. The resulting carcass has high cutability and provides an excellent eating experience. In 1986, three other highly successful crossbreeding options were initiated. 4 May/June/July 2010 • ACJ The Chiford (Chianina x Hereford), the Red Chiangus (Chianina x Red Chiangus) and the Chimaine (Chianina x Maine Anjou) exhibit the superiority of this composite breeding to that of their parents."

"The Chianina can stand on its own merits. A large, welldeveloped animal, they have few genetic and phenotypic faults. By combining the best of both Chianina and British breeds, ranchers have been able to profit in countless ways. The marketability of these animals is exceptional, and the ability to customize a cattle breeding program to a rancher’s environment is superb, bar none."

What more could a profit-driven cattle operation be looking for? This is our story – we all need to tell it to the cattle industry. We will certainly do our part!

I would also like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to all the exhibitors at this years National Junior Heifer Show in Springfield, Ill. Thanks to the Illinois breeders for hosting and to all the parents and families for encouraging these youth to participate in this great annual event!