  BeefTalk:
Scientific Method Is Just the Facts, Opinion Is for the Entertainers
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
If one was to develop a list of missed opportunities from one’s previous
education, a topic that should be on everyone’s list is the understanding of
scientific method. The reason I say should is that most people would not even
realize the topic was taught.
As a complement to many of the modern curriculums, the topic needs to be
repeated during elementary science. If my own children are any example, several
homework exercises have turned up requiring a further understanding of
scientific method. There are several reference books for "scientific
methods" but I choose Steel and Torrie’s discussion from 1960. They note
three basic and essential features in applying scientific methods:
- review what is known (education)
- formulate a simple question (logical hypothesis)
- objectively (statistically) evaluate the potential answers.
These three points are essential components of how to conduct a successful
beef business--or any other business venture.
The review of facts, theories or philosophies currently available and the
appropriate understanding of those facts would aid many in avoiding a wrong
turn. The moral of the lesson is read, read and read. If you’re in the beef
business, you can really get harangued. Opinion followed by opinion followed by
opinion does not create a fact. Time in the saddle does not create a fact. Age
does not create a fact. Boards do not create facts. Majority votes do not create
facts. Facts are collectively produced by scientific methods.
After education, producers need to formulate a question or hypothesis based
on facts. Those of us in the beef business excel in questioning the
"where-with-alls" of the business. Questions should always be part of
any operation--the ultimate "what if" questions being the best. What
if I reduced feed delivered by 5 percent? Would I significantly reduce gain and
breed-backs? What if I used a Hereford bull instead of an Angus bull? Would I
reduce gain and breed-backs? What if I didn’t creep feed the calves this
summer? Would I reduce gain and net return per calf? What if I synchronized the
cows this spring? Would I increase the percentage of cows calving the first 21
days? What if I reduced the EPD value for birth weight on the bulls I buy? Would
I decrease calving difficulty?
Producers all have their own questions with very tangible roots embedded in
well-known facts. We can usually read and locate a generic answer; however, the
real answer comes in objectively evaluating a response for our own location or
area--the heart of the scientific method. This may be where the beef business
falls off just a little.
Many companies research and research to come up with the real answer to their
questions and ultimately give birth to a new fact. In the beef business,
operations need to objectively evaluate data to answer the questions they ask
themselves. The answer to the breed question is in trying a new breed,
objectively collecting data and determining the answer. The answer to getting a
handle on feed costs is to monitor, make changes that can be documented and
record the results.
Ask the questions and use facts, not opinions, for evaluations. As a
scientist, education, logical hypothesis development and objective evaluation
through statistics is a never-ending cycle. If the process was embedded into the
day-to-day minds of beef producers, we would produce more facts and fewer
opinions and form a very solid base for the future.
The next time someone asks a question, please answer with a fact, and leave
the opinion for those paid to entertain.
May you find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com.
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0080.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2427, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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