433: Data Connectivity Could Put More Value in Your Cattle with Brett Spader

Today on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast, Brett Spader joins Lauren to talk about how better use of data and technology could change the way value moves through the beef industry. From genetics and EPDs to feedlot performance, harvest records and red meat yield, Brett explains why getting more information back through the supply chain could help producers make better decisions and ultimately get rewarded for the value they are already creating. Brett also breaks down what breed associations can look like in a more data driven industry, how technology can make decision-making easier for producers, and why even small improvements in efficiency can add up to meaningful profitability. The conversation looks at what the next generation of cattle producers needs from technology and where the beef industry can go from here.Links:American International Charolois Association: https://charolaisusa.com/Connect with Brett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-spader-30207b13b/CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_shareFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/cattleusa-drive-premium-daily-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YWdncwFNXt0EmdzFy5cJJBp84J9gCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Key Takeaways:Breed associations have evolved from recording pedigrees to developing tools that help producers improve profitabilityConnecting commercial, feedlot and harvest data can make genetic selection tools more reliable and usefulData connectivity can help producers understand how cattle perform beyond the ranch and identify opportunities for improvementRed meat yield could become an increasingly important way to measure efficiency and value throughout the beef chainSmall efficiency improvements across multiple points in the supply chain can add up to meaningful profitabilityTechnology should make producers’ lives easier and provide a clear return through more money, saved time or better decisionsYounger producers are already using technology and AI to combine traditional genetic tools with new decision-making resourcesInformation only becomes valuable when producers can turn it into relevant insights and act on itThe future of cattle genetics will depend on getting better information back, using it effectively and rewarding producers for the value they createChapters:01:03 Brett’s Background in Beef & Technology04:17 How Breed Associations Are Evolving08:40 Creating More Value for Producers10:30 Why Data Connectivity Matters13:50 The Future of Cattle Data & Technology15:00 The Hidden Cost of Excess Fat17:00 Red Meat Yield & Efficiency18:46 Connecting Data Across the Beef Chain23:50 Making Technology Pay24:34 Sorting Through New Technology27:24 Making Technology Easier to Adopt30:00 AI, EPDs & the Next Generation33:06 The Future of Data Connectivity35:36 One Step Forward for the Beef IndustryBrett Spader, Cattle USA Daily, American International Charolais Association, Charolais cattle, cattle data, data connectivity, cattle genetics, beef cattle genetics, cattle technology, agricultural technology, EPDs, genomic testing, Terminal Sire Index, genetic selection, genetic profitability, red meat yield, carcass data, har