That’s where many producers start, but Tim DelCurto, Ph.D., tells cattle producers that is the wrong place to focus. DelCurto presented “Beef Cow Adaptability: The Western Range Cow as an Example,” at the 2026 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Convention in Boise, Idaho. The annual meeting was established to bring together science and industry professionals to improve beef cattle genetics. DelCurto said producers should consider thinking beyond popular selection trends and focus on biological adaptability. Rather than searching for a universal “ideal cow,” DelCurto recommends identifying the type of female best suited for the forage base, climate and management system.