Most producers who sell at the auction barn say goodbye to their cattle and never hear another word. No feedback. No data. No way to know whether the genetics and management decisions you made actually paid off on the rail.
Some producers who retain ownership do get carcass data back - but they're the exception, not the rule. BlockTrust is working to change that. As our network of feedlots and packing partners grows, so does the chance that your data finds its way back to you.
Knowing how your cattle grade is the only way to know if your program is moving in the right direction.
We won't tell you that you're guaranteed to get carcass data back. What we can tell you is that every feedlot and packer that joins the BlockTrust network increases the likelihood. The more of the supply chain that's connected, the more data flows back to the people who raised the cattle.
Getting your cattle tagged and registered in the system now puts you in position to receive data the moment your buyer's facility is part of the network.
When carcass data is available, here are the data points that may come back to you:
Indicates intramuscular fat, a primary driver of quality grade and eating experience.
Cross-sectional size of the longissimus muscle - a key indicator of cutability and muscling.
Estimates the percentage of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the carcass.
The official USDA grade — Prime, Choice, Select - based on marbling and maturity.
Carcass weight immediately after harvest, before chilling. The basis for most packer settlements.
Fat thickness measured at the 12th rib. Influences yield grade and finish level.
An electronic ID tag is what allows your animal to be tracked through the supply chain. Without it, there's no way for data to find its way back to you.
Log the EID numbers in the BlockTrust system so your cattle are linked to your account. When data comes back from a connected facility, it knows where to go.
When you purchase EID tags through BlockTrust, we already have the numbers. There's nothing to enter - your cattle are registered the moment the tags ship.
Every producer who tags and registers their cattle makes the network stronger for everyone. The more cattle that are in the system, the more leverage BlockTrust has to bring feedlots and packers on board - and the more data flows back to the producers who raised them.
Technology can help people find cattle faster and make better decisions, but lasting success comes from trusted relationships. Our goal is to strengthen connections across the cattle industry and help good people do business together.
