ABS Australia Beef Sire Update Autumn-Winter 2016

BEEF SIRE UPDATE Autumn-Winter 2016

PASTURE TO PLATE GENETICS

FOREWORD 2016 Please use this update in conjunction with the ABS Australia Sire Directory 2015-16.

This update introduces new bulls to the ABS Australia line-up. Bulls featured on pages 1 and 2 have semen available now. Bulls featured on pages 10 and 11 will be available later in winter, after successfully completing the required health tests.

This update carries two feature articles. The first article, Circle A Ranch and ABS Sire Alliance is a truly remarkable story and program. ABS Australia is delighted to introduce the current trait leading star S A V Bruiser to Australia (details on page 1). Breeders should also note that the high indexing bulls, Reserve, Broken Bow, Absolute, Up River and Complement are all currently available in Australia.

Bill Cornell Kim Sultana The second article, The 30 day Game Changer: Improving Reproductive Efficiency and Profitability of Beef Herds, is written especially for this update by Dr. Cliff Lamb, following his recent 12 day seminar Beef Product Manager tour to Australia. Cliff was the keynote speaker at two events in WA, at Sydney Royal and at the highly successful ABS Seminar and Client Days in Tasmania.

Cliff is a world renowned expert in his field of beef cattle fertility. Cattle producers that have followed Cliff’s program have lifted herd profitability and fertility amazingly.

Over the last eight months ABS Australia Beef Department has had many successes: • Purchasing Millah Murrah Kingdom for $150,000, the Australian Angus record price, with syndicate members Witherswood, Gilmandyke and Ascot Angus herds.

• The Australian annual beef market share results for distribution and semen collection companies were analysed and released by the NHIA. ABS Australia ranked number one with 49% of total units sold. Outstandingly, ABS Australia ranked number one in Angus with 60% of units sold. The total survey showed Angus were just over half the total units sold. A big thank you to all resellers and producers for your outstanding support.

• ABS has just celebrated its 75th birthday and continues to remain the largest supplier of beef genetics worldwide.

• The launch of the ABS Australia Beef facebook page has been a great success.

• The ABS Seminar and Client Days held in March, in Launceston, Tasmania, was an outstanding success. Over 140 people attended the seminar with Cliff Lamb as keynote speaker and 112 attended the gala dinner. Congratulations to the Archer and Hughes families for their effort in opening their doors and showing their cattle herds.

• ABS semen sales have trended strongly with current cattle prices allowing us all to enjoy some great times which, by all accounts, should be enjoyed for some time ahead.

Enjoy the read and please refer to the availability and pricing on the last two pages. Some more bulls are sure to run out or be in short supply as the spring mating season starts.

For any further information please contact me, Kim or any of the ABS representatives or resellers listed on the back of this update.

Thank you for your support of ABS’ ‘75 Years of Genetic Progress’.

Bill Cornell

ABS Global Celebrates 75 Years of Genetic Progress MADISON, Wis., U.S.A. (March 22, 2016)—Many things across the cattle industry have evolved over the last 75 years, but one thing has remained constant—ABS® Global has been at the forefront of providing products and services to help its customers PROFIT FROM GENETIC PROGRESS. Since 1941, ABS has been the world leader in developing first-class bovine genetics and providing the best cattle reproduction expertise in the industry. Formed as the American Dairy Guernsey Associates of Northing Illinois with just three Guernsey bulls, ABS has since built a diverse breed and genetic lineup and now serves dairy and beef producers in nearly 80 countries. Over the years, ABS has brought industry-changing genetic progress to its customers— including the global sensation, 29HO12209 PICSTON SHOTTLE, who was the number one Holstein bull in the world for seven straight sire summary releases, and 29AN1640 IN FOCUS—one of the all-time top Angus bulls in the industry for calving ease, growth, maternal value, and docility.

One of ABS Global’s proudest moments is the introduction of frozen semen in 1953, followed by the development of the first storage container for frozen semen using liquid nitrogen. These major milestones completely transformed the way the animal genetics industry operates—and are considered best practice even today.

ABS also built intelligence behind the genetics offered to farmers by developing the Estimated Daughter Superiority measurement in 1963 and being the first-to-market with a computerized mating program, Genetic Mating Service, in 1968. Innovation continues to be a driving force at ABS. Most recently, ABS made headlines by introducing TransitionRight™ genetics—a revolutionary index that helps customers prevent costly transition cow health issues.

As ABS celebrates 75 years of serving some of the very best beef and dairy producers around the world, it is affirming its commitment to its customers by announcing a new tagline: PROFIT FROM GENETIC PROGRESS. “It is a very exciting time to be leading the ABS team. Not only are we celebrating a major milestone that most organizations never get to experience, we are also positioning ourselves to lead profitfocused genetic improvement for the dairy and beef industries,” said Saskia Korink, ABS Global Chief Operating Officer. “As we look to the future, our focus will be on providing the next generation of genetic solutions that will improve herd profitability—and everything we do will align with that customer promise.”

Angus EBV Graph for PATHFINDER GENESIS G357(AI)

ANGUS

Angus EBV Graph for

PATHFINDER GENESIS G357(AI)

29AN1982 PATHFINDER GENESIS G357 (AI) (AMFU, NHF, CAFU, MAF, DDF)

Angus Animal EBV Mating Member Sire Sale Semen & Files to Onli Homepage Search Search Predictor Search Benchmarking Catalogues Embryos Download Transac Angus Animal EBV Mating Member Sire Sale Semen & Files to Online Homepage Search Search Predictor Search Benchmarking Catalogues Embryos Download Transactions

Reg. No. Born BW W/200 W/400 W/600 Mature FS SC

SMPG357 23/03/2011 39kg 306kg 520kg 774kg 743cm

Structure data FA

+4.5

35%

FC

+1.4

38%

RA

-1.2

31%

Switch Graph

Calving Calving Ease Ease Gestation Birth

Dir Dtrs Length Wt. (%) (%) (days) (kg) Calving Calving 200 +2.9 EBV +2.1 ­9.0 +5.7

Owned by Pathfinder Angus.

 Genesis has been proven through the Angus Sire Benchmark Program  Genesis ranks for all Angus Sires - No. 1 Angus Breeding Index, No. 3 Angus Heavy Grain Index, No. 1 Angus Heavy Grass Index  Inspection of his progeny can be summarised - Soft, very docile, high growth calves - Fertile females with beautiful udders  Genesis stands in a class of his own APRIL 2016 ANGUS GROUP BREEDPLAN EBVS CE-DIR CE-DT

GL

BW

200D

400D

600D

MCW

MILK

SS

DTC

Pedigree

Ease Ease Gestation Birth Day Day Day Cow Scrotal to Carcase Muscle Rib Rump 71% Length 62% 97% Wt. 96% 93% 71% Size 87% Calving 57% 78% 80% 79% 73% Dir Acc Dtrs Wt. 92% Wt.93%Wt.84%Milk Wt. 79% Te Mania Yorkshire Y437 Wt. (AI) Ardrossan Direction W109 (AI) (ET) Area Fat Fat Breed Avg. EBVs for 2014 Born Calves (%) (%) (days) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (days) Click for Percentiles (kg) (sq.cm) (mm) (mm) EBV ­0.1 +0.0 ­3.5 +4.3 +41 +75 +98 +87 +14 +1.6 ­3.6 +54 +4.4 +0.0 ­0.1 +0.2 +5.7 +159 +10 ­8.8 +93 +6.4 +1.1 +1.9 +2.1 +2.9 EBV ­9.0(AI) +59 +106 +149 +3.7 D245 (AI) Traits Observed: BWT,200WT,400WT,600WT,SS,FAT,EMA,IMF,Genomics Te Mania Berkley B1 Pathfinder Direction Acc 71% 62% 97% 96% 93% 92% 93% 84% 71% 87% 57% 78% 79% 80% 79% Statistics: Number of Herds: 6, Prog Analysed: 193, Scan Prog: 66, Docility Prog: 24

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2014 Born Calves Click for Percentiles Te Mania Lowan Z53 (AI) (ET) PathfinderSELECTION INDEX VALUES Adavale A433 EBV ­0.1 +0.0 ­3.5 +4.3 +41 +75 +98 Market Target +87 +14 +1.6 ­3.6 +54 +4.4 +0.0 ­0.1 Index Value Breed Average Traits Observed: BWT,200WT,400WT,600WT,SS,FAT,EMA,IMF,Genomic Angus Breeding Index +$ 168 +$ 102 Statistics: Number of Herds: 6, Prog Analysed: 193, Scan Prog: 66, Docility Pr Domestic Index +$ 131 +$ 100

Heavy Grain Index +$ 196 +$ 104 SELECTION INDEX VALUES Heavy Grass Index +$ 153 +$ 102 Market Target Index Value Breed Average Explanation of $Index Values INDEX VALUES Angus Breeding Index +$ 168 +$ 102 H/GRAIN H/GRASS CWT EMA RIB RUMP RBY% IMF% DOC ABI DI Domestic Index +$ 131 +$ 100 Heavy Grain Index +$ 196 +$ 104 Heavy Grass Index +$ 153 +$ 102 Explanation of $Index Values

EBV +2.1 +2.9 -9.0 +5.7 +59 +106 +149 +159 +10 +3.7 -8.8 +93 +6.4 +1.1 +1.9 -0.9 +3.0 +20 Acc

71%

62%

97%

96%

93%

92%

93%

84%

71%

87%

57%

Graph Explanation

April 2016 Angus Australia BREEDPLAN 400 600 Mat. Days Eye Retai Switch Graph Graph Explanation Day Day Cow Scrotal to Carcase Muscle Rib Rump Beef Wt. April 2016 Angus Australia BREEDPLAN Wt. Wt. Milk Size Calving Wt. Area Fat Fat Yield (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (days) (kg) (sq.cm) (mm) (mm) (%) 400 600 Mat. Days Eye +93 +6.4 +1.1 +1.9 ­0.9 +59 +106 +149 +159 +10 +3.7 ­8.8 200 Day Wt. (kg)

78%

79%

80%

79%

73%

77%

79%

+$168 +$131 +$196 +$153

29AN1782 S A V BRUISER 9164 (AMF, NHF, CAF, MAF, DDF ) Reg. No.

USA16396531

Born

05/03/2009

BW

33kg

W/205

470kg

W/365

715kg

Check pages 6 and 7 for Angus Sire Alliance Chart

SC 12 Mo. 36.7cm FS

6

Calving Ease

★★★

Calving Merit

Scale Smashing Bruiser  One of the most dominant and unique bulls in S A V history and now a progeny proven performer through the Angus Sire Alliance  The #1 Sire for Total Profit and Feed Efficiency Indexes through the Angus Sire Alliance commercial testing ground (refer pages 6 & 7)  Progeny earned him a top 2% ADG EPD combined with a top 10% EPD for reduced Feed Intake  Transmits added volume, capacity and dimension  Low birth weight S A V sire with top 1% Yearling growth and RADG EPDs

Pedigree G A R Grid Maker S A V Bismarck 5682 S A V Abigale 0451

S A V 004 Predominant 4438 S A V Miss Bobbie 7463 S A V Miss Bobbie 4177

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +12 +0.3 +67 +126 +.36 +0.2 +.23 +15 +13 30 Acc

.73

.90

.85

.77

.70

.76

.77

% Rk 10% 30%

5%

2%

1% 85% 85%

.38

.50

2% 95%

52

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

Carc

+25 +0.3 +10.1 20 +21 +.41 +.64 -.017 12 .51

.29

.30

.65

.62

60%

50%

55% 25% 75% 60% 25%

80%

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

63

- Page 1

.63

.66

35

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-0.88 +58.42 +35.21 +101.10 35%

25%

35%

60%

CHAROLAIS / RED ANGUS

29CH0206 WC BIG BEN 9036 P USA Reg. No. M775980 Born

26/02/2009

BW

34kg

W/205

343kg

W/365

565kg

SC

38.5cm

Calving Ease

★★★★

Carcass Merit

Pedigree LT Assertion 1277 P LT Bluegrass 4017 P LT Pearls Breeze 2236 P

Set Your Watch to Reliable Calving Ease  His pedigree stacks proven calving ease, maternal ability and convenience traits

VCR Sir Duke 914 PLD VCR Miss Duchess 9506 Polled VCR Miss Perfect 247 PLD

 Super moderate with flawless phenotype and structure, backed by a powerful cow family that has a proven track record  Ranks in the top 3% of the breed for CE and BW  Sired the Grand Champion Bull at the American Royal National ROE Charolais Show in his first calf drop  An ideal mating for GRID MAKER daughters NORTH AMERICAN CHAROLAIS EVALUATION SPRING 2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

SC

MILK Hds/Dtr MCE

EPD +13.3 -4.3 +31 +59 +2.2

+8

0

Acc

.80

.88

.82

.78

.68

.52

57

% Rk

2%

3%

40%

35%

1%

55%

TM

CW

REA

FAT

MARB

+9.6 +23 +14 -.16 +.000 +.11 .50

.40

.44

.37

.38

4%

50%

95%

50%

25%

Cpg

U Prg/Grp

8

17 146

Angus EBV Graph for MILWILLAH MARBLE BAR J53(RED) Angus EBV Graph for

Angus Animal EBV Mating MILWILLAH MARBLE BAR J53(RED) Member Sire Sale Semen & Files to On Homepage Search Search Predictor Search Benchmarking Catalogues Embryos Download Transa

29AR0267 MILWILLAH MARBLE BAR J53 (RED) (AMF, NHF, CAF, DDF)

Angus Animal EBV Mating Member Sire Sale Semen & Files to Online Homepage Search Search Predictor Search Benchmarking Catalogues Embryos Download Transactions

Reg. No. Born

NJWJ53 06/09/2013

Switch Graph Graph Explanation April 2016 Angus Australia BREEDPLAN Switch Graph Graph Explanation Calving Calving 200 400 600 Mat. Days Eye Retail Ease Ease Gestation Birth Day Day Day Cow Scrotal to Carcase Muscle Rib Rump Beef

April 2016 Angus Australia BREEDPLAN Dir Dtrs Length Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Milk Size Calving Wt. Area Fat Fat Yield Calving Calving 400 (kg) 600(kg)Mat. Days (kg) (sq.cm) Eye (%) (%) (days) 200 (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (days) (mm) (mm) (%) EaseEBV Ease Birth Day Day+98 Day Cow to Carcase Muscle +0.1 +3.4 Gestation +3.2 ­9.6 +3.9 +54 +131 +136 +20 Scrotal +3.2 ­6.6 +73 +7.1 +0.3 Rib +0.4 Rump

DirAcc Dtrs Length Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Milk Size Calving Wt. Area Fat 56% 42% 71% 75% 71% 72% 72% 72% 59% 68% 39% 63% 60% 62% Fat 61% 52% (%) (%) (days) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (cm) (days) Click for Percentiles (kg) (sq.cm) (mm) (mm) Breed Avg. EBVs for 2014 Born Calves ­0.1 +0.0 +4.3 +41 +98 +87 +20 +14 +3.2 +1.6 ­3.6 +0.0 +0.3 ­0.1 +0.2 EBV +3.4EBV +3.2 ­9.6 ­3.5 +3.9 +54 +98+75 +131 +136 ­6.6 +54+73 +4.4+7.1 +0.4 Traits Observed: BWT,200WT,400WT,FAT,EMA,IMF,Genomics Acc 56% 42% 71% 75% 71% 72% 72% 72% 59% 68% 39% 63% 60% 62% 61% Statistics: Breed Avg. EBVs for 2014 Born Calves Click for Percentiles

Owned by ABS Australia and Paringa Livestock.

 Of all Red Angus bulls on the Angus Australian breedplan Marble Bar is - No. 1 Angus Breeding Index - No. 1 Domestic Index - No. 1 Heavy Grain Index - No. 1 Heavy Grass Index  No Red Angus matches Marble Bar for the combination of CE, Short GL, Growth, SS and Carcass.

Pedigree

Te Mania Berkley B1 (AI)

Te Mania Daiquiri D19 (AI)

Milwillah Fevola F37 (AI)

Milwillah Lowan G291 (AI)

Milwillah Barunah B36 (AI) (ET)

EBV

­0.1

+0.0

APRIL 2016 ANGUS GROUP BREEDPLAN EBVS CE-DIR CE-DT

GL

BW

200D

400D

600D

MCW

MILK

SS

DTC

CWT

EMA

RIB

­3.5

Milwillah Lowan D170

SELECTION INDEX VALUES +4.3 +41 +75 +98 +87 +14 +1.6 ­3.6 +54 +4.4 +0.0 ­0.1 Market Target Index Value Breed Average Traits Observed: BWT,200WT,400WT,FAT,EMA,IMF,Genomics Angus Breeding Index +$ 146 +$ 102 Statistics: Domestic Index +$ 125 +$ 100

Heavy Grain Index +$ 164 +$ 104 SELECTION INDEX VALUES Heavy Grass Index +$ 136 +$ 102 Market Target Index Value Breed Average INDEX VALUES Explanation of $Index Values Angus Breeding Index +$ 146 +$ 102 H/GRAIN H/GRASS RUMP RBY% IMF% Domestic Index DOC ABI DI +$ 125 +$ 100 Heavy Grain Index +$ 164 +$ 104 Heavy Grass Index +$ 136 +$ 102 Explanation of $Index Values

EBV +3.4 +3.2 -9.6 +3.9 +54 +98 +131 +136 +20 +3.2 -6.6 +73 +7.1 +0.3 +0.4 +0.1 +2.6

-

Acc

-

56%

42%

71%

75%

71%

72%

72%

72%

59%

68%

39%

63%

60%

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

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62%

61%

52%

53%

+$146 +$125 +$164 +$136

ABS Spotlight

Circle A Ranch Ranked among the country’s 25 largest cow-calf operations and Top 100 Seedstock Producers, Circle A Angus Ranch is arguably the largest combined commercial and seedstock operation in the U.S. While these rankings are determined by size, it’s really the innovative people and programs behind the cattle; along with the fact the commercial herd is the driver of the business that makes Circle A Ranch an industry leader.

“The purpose behind the Sire Alliance was to identify bulls that would deliver true value or benefit, rather than perceived value.”

THE EARLY YEARS

Circle A Ranch was founded by Dave Gust and his family in 1990. A self-made and successful businessman from Chicago, Gust’s attraction to central Missouri grew from family trips to the Lake of the Ozarks area.

Following the acquisition of the headquarters’ ranch south of Iberia, top Angus females were purchased from numerous leading herds throughout the Midwest. The purebred herd grew, and the first Circle A production sale was held in 1993. The sale became a successful annual event and the Circle A registered herd was competitive on a national level.

At the same time, the commercial herd was growing to 6,000 head with the addition of ranches at Stockton, Mo. Lineville, Iowa and Huntsville, Mo. From the beginning, the commercial herd was designed with a real world, no frills and no excuses approach. Cows graze on fescue based pastures stocked

at a rate of 1.5-to-2 acres per cow with minimal winter supplementation targeted to keep them in a body condition score of five. With each cowboy caring for more than 500 females, cows must be problem free and are expected to breed back and wean a respectable calf each year with no excuses.

During the growth of the ranch, Gust asked the simple but exceedingly challenging question — what traits are most important to the profitability of the Circle A commercial herd and those of their customers? There were no precise answers. Even though EPDs were a far better selection tool than anything the industry had available before, they didn’t necessarily translate directly to profitability. A methodology for balancing traits and accounting for input costs didn’t yet exist in the mainstream beef industry.

SORTING PERCEPTION FROM REALITY

To answer those questions and provide direction, a plan was devised to use the Circle A commercial cow herd and ranch resources to measure and identify the most profitable genetic combinations. As a result, the Angus Sire Alliance program was born in 1996.

Originally, the program was designed as a competition with breeders from across the country enrolling their best bulls. Test sires were used via AI across the commercial cow herd and the resulting progeny were measured from birth to harvest.

Dave Gust and Mark Akin

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

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“The purpose behind the Sire Alliance was to identify bulls that would deliver true value or benefit, rather than perceived value,” says Mark Akin, Circle A general manager.

“We wanted to move from perception to reality.”

To provide technical support and direction, William Herring, Ph.D., was enlisted from the University of Missouri to help design the structure of the program and analyze the wealth of data generated. This included not only the calculation of EPDs, but also the development of the innovative economic selection index.

The results from the first Sire Alliance test group were released in the fall of 1998 with the winners determined by a Total Profit Index.

The index reflected a net economic value for each bull by combining their EPDs with relative economic values that considered both the added output

“We’re trying to improve the bottom line for us and for our customers.”

9

and corresponding input costs for the production system. Even though this methodology was not new and was successfully used to describe and drive genetic improvement in other species, this was its first mainstream use in the beef industry.

The winners of the first test were

JLB Exacto 416 and GDAR SVF Traveler 234D. Both bulls soon joined the ABS lineup as part of an exclusive marketing agreement.

“We liked the bulls and really respected the design and goals of the Sire Alliance program,” says Doug Frank, ABS Global U.S. beef product manager. “They were very much in line with our multi-trait, Pasture to Plate focus.”

A feed efficiency center, one of the unique and key components of the program, was built in 1998. Even though this was well before the era of ethanol and higher feed prices, it was considered “a must” to get the most accurate evaluation of true progeny input costs. Today, the efficiency center and its successor have delivered 18 years of individual progeny intake data for the Sire Alliance program.

In addition to the terminally oriented Total Profit Index, the Sire Alliance evaluation also includes a separate Feed Efficiency Index and Maternal Value Index which incorporate the Angus breed’s first Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability EPDs.

carcass and fertility traits as well as the terminal and maternal indexes The commercial cow herd and the data generated from the program have led the way in the growth and direction of Circle A Ranch.

“We’ve evolved from being a registered seedstock producer to being a quality beef producer,” Akin says.

“We aren’t chasing the new hot thing.

We’ve learned where we want to be.”

After transitioning away from the annual registered female sale, today the ranch focuses on producing and selling 400 high-quality bulls and 400-to-600 value-added commercial bred heifers each year.

A portion of the bulls sold, identified as Circle A Premium Bulls, are produced from the top indexing females in the commercial herd. These bulls offer the complete Circle A data package, including their exclusive Feed Intake, Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability EPDs. The dams of these premium bulls rank in the top 5 percent of the 7,000 commercial females and have performed with less inputs and more scrutiny than most purebred cows in the industry.

BUILDING ON A SOLID COMMERCIAL FOUNDATION

EXPANDING CONFIDENCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

The comprehensive Circle A progeny testing program and data base are vital to the Sire Alliance program, but it also resulted in the most data-rich commercial cow herd in the industry. Backed by 160,000 weaning records and 60,000 carcass records, every cow in the herd has a complete genetic evaluation.

This includes EPDs for 15 production,

Continuing to stay in the forefront of the industry, collecting economically relevant data, Circle A also established a one-of-a-kind feeding facility. Built in 2007, Circle A Feeders was a significant step in the evolution of Circle A. The 5,000-head under-one roof facility was built to capture added value and increased returns for both Circle A calves and

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

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their customers’ calves. Like most things at Circle A, the feedlot is innovative in its design with people, animal and environmentally friendly features.

The combination of the feedlot and Circle A genetics immediately showed their capabilities winning the Certified Angus Beef® Quality Focus Award in 2008 and then again in 2009, registering a 78.6 percent CAB® and Prime acceptance rate on a group of 1,010 head. No other group of 1,000-plus head has ever come close to achieving this level.

After a decade of data and experience in following their cattle through commercial feedlots and on to the rail there was no doubt Circle A cattle would perform. They had confidence there was value to be gained in the feeding phase for both Circle A cattle and for their customers’ cattle influenced by Circle A genetics.

With that confidence and knowledge, a calf buy-back program was initiated to reward customers who utilize Circle A genetics. Calves must be sired by Circle A bulls and meet program health, weight and management guidelines. Qualifying calves receive top of the market price based on their weight and region along with an added genetic premium depending on whether the calves are out of Circle A bulls or also Circle A females.

Circle A has literally put their money where their mouth is and they have done it in a big way; buying $52.5 million in customers’ cattle over the last eight years.

“We’re trying to improve the bottom line for us and for our customers,” says Nick Hammett, Circle A marketing manager. “You are only as good as your customers – we enjoy seeing their success.” To say Circle A and their customers have seen success is an understatement.

THE ANGUS SIRE ALLIANCE PROGRAM

LESSONS LEARNED

• Is the largest contributor of carcass data to the American Angus Association

Today, Circle A Ranch fully lives their motto “Quality Beef is our Business”. That business is built on two decades of experience and data gained from both the cow-calf and feeding perspective.

“The innovative yet grounded, realworld approach that Dave Gust and team have used to develop Circle A Ranch has served both them and their customers very well,” Frank says. “Their work has also provided a significant benefit to our ABS customers with the Sire Alliance testing program providing the most comprehensive, commercially oriented genetic evaluation program in the industry.”

As the industry and technology move forward, there is still no substitute for real world progeny evaluation and the data it provides.

Circle A Ranch is well positioned to succeed today and in the future.

“We’ve learned there are no short cuts,” Akin says. “Never lose sight of the basic economics that keep you in the business.

We’re not after what’s shiny and new, we test them in the real world and see how they perform. It’s about sustainable profit in a commercial environment.”

“We’ve learned there are no shortcuts.

Never lose sight of the basic economics that keep you in the business.”

• Developed by Circle A Angus Ranch in 1996 • Pioneered the use of economic selection indexes in the beef industry • Introduced the Angus breed’s first EPDs for — Feed Intake

— Stayability

— Heifer Pregnancy

— Tenderness

• Has been an exclusive progeny testing partnership with ABS Global since 2008 BENEFITS OF THE SIRE ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO ABS CUSTOMERS

• Commercial Testing Environment Progeny performance is measured in a non-pampered, real world environment to ensure you will experience the same results.

• Efficiency Matters It’s not just about output. With nearly two decades of individual progeny intake records the Sire Alliance provides the most comprehensive efficiency information in the industry.

• Structured for Unbiased Results The structure of the program and extensive Circle A cow herd data base ensures that there is no preferred mating or contemporary group bias in the evaluation.

• Independent 3rd Party Analysis Data is gathered by Circle A Ranch with analysis provided by John Hough, Ph.D. and Larry Benysheck, Ph.D. Like Circle A Ranch, ABS has a long history of innovation and real world progeny testing.

Committed to validating our products, ABS is proud of our relationship with Circle A Ranch and Sire Alliance progeny testing partnership.

We believe in the value of the Sire Alliance data to provide our customers proven, reliable genetics that will deliver the value they expect. Beyond the proven Sire Alliance performers that headline our lineup, we are also utilizing Sire Alliance data to develop and select the next generation of ABS sires.

10

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

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Proven Sire Alliance bulls deliver profit and predictability from Pasture to Plate™ Long lasting, productive and profitable daughters

High performing steers backed by documented efficiency genetics

Carcasses that deliver quality and cutability to earn grid premiums

IN THE PASTURE

IN THE FEEDLOT

ON THE RAIL

Beyond performance, carcass value and efficiency, daughters of Sire Alliance bulls are monitored for maternal function and profitability.

The Sire Alliance is the longest running program of it’s kind with progeny individually measured for feed intake since 1998.

Today, the Sire Alliance and Circle A Ranch are the largest contributors to the American Angus Association carcass data base.

The Sire Alliance Maternal Index incorporates daughter productivity and fertility data including Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability.

While high feed cost in recent years has made feed efficiency a key trait of interest, no one can match the Sire Alliance’s foresight and decade and a half of intake measurements.

The typical Sire Alliance graduate has 30 steer progeny evaluated for carcass merit which by itself generates higher reliability and accuracy levels than 90% of the bulls that qualify for the Main Sire Summary listing.

The Angus Sire Alliance Program was initiated by Circle A Angus Ranch in 1996 to objectively measure commercial performance and real world value from birth-to-harvest. The program pioneered the use of selection indexes in the beef industry and remains the most comprehensive source of feedlot profit, efficiency and maternal performance.

ABS has been a marketing partner with Circle A since the first bulls graduated in 1998 and the Sire Alliance program has been an exclusive ABS progeny testing program since 2008. The data derived on ABS sires not only provides you, our customers, added accuracy and reliability, but also unique and valuable insight into feed efficiency and commercial profitability that is not available anywhere else today.

Beyond the proven Sire Alliance graduates offered in this directory, we are also utilizing Sire Alliance data to develop and select the next generation of ABS sires.

Spring 2016 Sire Alliance Data 1 BRUISER FUTURE FOCUS (Ref) PROTEGE (Ref) DAYBREAK (Ref) 2 COUNSELOR 3 DESTINATION 630 4 FUTURE FORCE 5 RESERVE 6 NEW ERA 7 NEW LEVEL 8 RAINMAKER P175 9 BROKEN BOW 10 RITO REVENUE 11 HIGH NOON 12 ABSOLUTE 13 FOREMOST 14 INCENTIVE 15 IMPRESSION 16 DESTINATION 928 17 OBJECTIVE 18 ADDED VALUE 19 BLUESTEM 20 MONUMENT IN FOCUS (Ref) 21 PROGRAM 22 UPSHOT 23 EXTRA K205 24 SAFEGUARD 25 BRAVE 26 HYLINE IMAGE MAKER 27 FOCAL POINT 28 INFINITY 29 FINAL PRODUCT 30 RESOLUTE

TOTAL PROFIT TOTAL PROFIT PROGENY INDEX %RANK EVALUATED $90.16 $85.69 $85.00 $81.64 $80.91 $72.58 $71.96 $70.89 $68.88 $67.84 $67.70 $67.60 $67.56 $67.31 $66.47 $66.05 $64.87 $64.47 $63.92 $61.88 $59.94 $58.53 $57.10 $56.25 $55.35 $55.13 $54.52 $54.27 $52.85 $51.84 $51.56 $50.92 $50.02 $47.40

Top 1% Top 1% Top 1% Top 1% Top 1% Top 3% Top 3% Top 4% Top 5% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 15% Top 15% Top 20% Top 20% Top 25% Top 25% Top 30% Top 30% Top 30% Top 35% Top 35%

130 280 95 313 88 73 30 73 124 380 118 61 386 205 111 88 262 520 78 375 115 73 167 530 145 186 360 112 103 79 193 76 155 85

TOTAL PROFIT TOTAL PROFIT TENDERNESS 4 Real World Data™ for real world profit

4

Complete performance data from birth to harvest including: • Calving Ease • Pre-weaning performance • Feedlot gain and intake • Carcass yield and quality

4 Derived from large commercial contemporary groups 4 The first modern beef selection index in 1996 and still the most comprehensive

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

- Page 6

ANGUS

SIRE ALLIANCE Spring 2016 Sire Alliance Data

FEED EFFICIENCY 4 The Feed Efficiency Index identifies the most profitable combinations of intake and gain 4 Backed by 18 years of individual progeny intake data

4 Feed efficiency genetics can account for as much as $40 value difference per calf

Spring 2016 Sire Alliance Data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

COUNSELOR BRUISER RESERVE FRONTMAN FUTURE FOCUS (Ref) CHINOOK SPECIAL FOCUS IMPRESSION BLUESTEM DESTINATION 630 FINAL PRODUCT FUTURE FORCE IN FOCUS (Ref) HYLINE IMAGE MAKER NEW LEVEL WIND BREAK DAYBREAK (Ref) IMAGE MAKER PLAINSMAN BRILLIANCE PROGRAM RESOLUTE ABSOLUTE UP RIVER HIGH NOON RITO 6EM3 COMPLEMENT FOCAL POINT MONUMENT BROKEN BOW DESTINATION 928 PROTEGE (Ref) 2U66 DEFINITIVE

MATERNAL INDEX $381.20 $348.62 $332.69 $315.87 $314.45 $310.07 $309.70 $307.98 $306.80 $305.83 $295.75 $291.62 $291.18 $287.78 $286.46 $285.95 $285.77 $283.31 $280.48 $280.23 $276.32 $272.77 $271.92 $270.43 $268.81 $266.83 $266.77 $258.19 $257.17 $256.81 $256.42 $256.05 $252.62 $246.75

MATERNAL INDEX %RANK Top 1% Top 1% Top 2% Top 3% Top 3% Top 4% Top 4% Top 5% Top 5% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 10% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 20% Top 25% Top 25% Top 25% Top 25% Top 30% Top 30% Top 35%

MAT .48 .42 .06 .45 .64 .56 .49 .65 .40 .34 .58 .15 .78 .36 .76 .04 .68 .76 .41 .57 .53 .16 .42 .09 .20 .35 .51 .54 .43 .30 .50 .38 .38 .11

1 BRUISER 2 ABSOLUTE PROTEGE (Ref) 3 NEW ERA 4 MONUMENT 5 RESERVE DAYBREAK (Ref) 6 UP RIVER 7 BRILLIANCE 8 COUNSELOR 9 WIND BREAK 10 FUTURE FORCE 11 NEW LEVEL 12 BRAVE IN FOCUS (Ref) FUTURE FOCUS (Ref) 13 COMPLEMENT 14 RESOLUTE 15 FRONTMAN 16 FINAL PRODUCT 17 DESTINATION 630 18 BLUESTEM 19 SPECIAL FOCUS 20 HIGH NOON 21 PLAINSMAN 22 RAINMAKER P175 23 UPSHOT 24 IMPRESSION 25 2U66 26 RITO REVENUE 27 DESTINATION 928 28 PROGRAM 29 FOCAL POINT 30 RITO 6EM3

FEED FEED ADG EPD EFFICIENCY EFFICIENCY (LB/DAY) INDEX %RANK $27.56 $16.56 $16.53 $14.63 $14.26 $13.46 $13.34 $11.30 $10.55 $10.53 $9.97 $7.99 $7.43 $6.86 $6.31 $6.23 $6.17 $6.16 $6.10 $4.80 $4.43 $4.41 $4.36 $3.66 $2.01 $1.96 $1.53 $1.35 $1.32 $0.86 $0.61 $(0.52) $(0.59) $(0.78)

Top 1% Top 1% Top 1% Top 1% Top 2% Top 2% Top 2% Top 3% Top 4% Top 4% Top 5% Top 10% Top 10% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 15% Top 20% Top 25% Top 25% Top 25% Top 30%

+.17 +.16 +.14 +.17 +.13 -.04 +.12 +.04 +.03 +.02 +.01 +.08 +.10 +.08 +.07 +.06 +.11 +.04 -.01 +.08 -.03 -.00 +.00 +.04 +.01 +.08 +.10 +.05 -.03 +.05 +.06 +.07 +.00 -.02

ADG ACC

ADG INTAKE EPD INTAKE %RANK (LB/DAY) ACC

.67 .65 .54 .68 .63 .49 .77 .41 .75 .60 .61 .38 .77 .64 .78 .75 .77 .61 .63 .66 .53 .58 .61 .73 .64 .66 .66 .81 .56 .77 .57 .67 .72 .52

Top 1% Top 2% Top 3% Top 1% Top 4% Top 4%

Top 20% Top 10% Top 15% Top 20% Top 25% Top 10% Top 35% Top 20%

Top 15% Top 10% Top 30% Top 35% Top 30% Top 20%

-.30 +.23 +.07 +.41 +.16 -.99 +.14 -.33 -.34 -.44 -.50 +.10 +.30 +.22 +.18 +.08 +.41 -.04 -.39 +.28 -.44 -.26 -.21 +.08 -.06 +.48 +.64 +.31 -.26 +.29 +.37 +.51 +.07 -.08

.46 .48 .38 .40 .41 .47 .59 .33 .60 .34 .48 .35 .61 .47 .53 .61 .57 .45 .45 .48 .44 .42 .41 .54 .45 .46 .45 .65 .50 .65 .39 .45 .56 .39

INTAKE %RANK Top 10%

Top 1% Top 5% Top 5% Top 3% Top 2%

Top 25% Top 4% Top 3% Top 10% Top 10% Top 25%

Top 10%

Top 20%

MATERNAL PROFIT 4 This index looks at lifetime value differences of a bull’s daughters 4 Includes Milk, Heifer Pregnancy and Cow Stayability data in addition to performance, efficiency and carcass merit 4 An excellent guide to balancing all economically important traits if you are retaining heifers

Red = New Sire Alliance Graduate, (Ref) = Reference Sire

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016 -

Page 7

The ABS Seminar and Client Days, Launceston, March 2016 Thank you to the hosts and sponsors for your generosity and hospitality. ➢The Archer Family Landfall Angus for the farm tour on Thursday, the magnificent food, the progeny displays, the paddock displays, the seminar venue. ➢The Hughes Family Cluden Newry Angus for the farm tour on Friday morning, the great food, progeny displays, and lovely rain! ➢Zoetis for the major sponsorship and Dr Emily Piper for the seminar talk. ➢Roberts Ltd for sponsoring the Coffee Express Van for the two days. ➢Dr Cliff Lamb for travelling from the USA and delivering the informative talks and articles.

140 people attended the farm displays and the 112 at the Gala Dinner.

Thank you one and all. It was certainly a great event, lots of new ideas, lots of fellowship and lots of fun! See you at the next one!

ANGUS

29AN1972 BALDRIDGE COMMAND C036 (AMF-NHF-CAF-DDF) In COMMAND  Our pick as the best bull to sell in the Baldridge Bros. 2016 sale  Arguably the best young bull to sell anywhere in the entire spring 2016 sale season  Impeccable ABS maternal and calving ease pedigree with COMPLEMENT, HOOVER DAM and Pedigree STYLES UPGRADE up close EF Complement 8088 Hoover Dam  His mother is off to a rocking good start, first calf EF Commando 1366 Baldridge Blackbird A030 posting a 69lb BW, 113 WWR, 113 YWR, 154 IMFR Riverbend Yound Lucy W1470 Baldridge Blacbird X89 and 107 REAR  Awesome phenotype, tremendous body and thickness, he is deep, he is thick, and he is square made

USA Reg. No. 18219911 Born 13/01/2015

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +16 -2.2 +62 +117 +.30 +0.0 +.61 +15 +30

0

Acc

0

.37

.42

.31

.34

.33

.47

.47

% Rk 1%

2%

10%

3%

2% 95% 70%

.09

.15

2% 10%

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

+10 +0.1 +17.9 23 +45 +1.17 +.86 +0.29 .32

.15

.23

.36

.21

.31

.28

.30

80%

65%

10% 15% 15% 2%

10%

30%

Carc

0 0

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-19.40 +80.50 +49.72 +167.27 85%

1%

4%

2%

29AN1974 BASIN PAYCHECK 5249 (AMF-NHF-CAF-DDF) USA Reg. No. 18184147 Born 25/01/2015

Pedigree Basin Payweight 006S Basin Rainmaker P175 Basin Payweight 1682 Basin Lucy 3150 21AR O Lass 7017 Basin Lucy 1667

PAYWEIGHT Next Step  Back to the source, all we love about PAYWEIGHT 1682 and then some  Same big body and muscle mass in a really correct made package as his highly sought sire  Breaking the curve with +10 CED, +75 WW, +122 YW and +185 $B Index  Dominated his contemporary group with 95 BW, 119 WW, 110 YW and 108 on both IMF and REA ratios  Perfect maternal pedigree with Rainmaker P175, HOOVER DAM and the famous Basin Lucy cow family

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +10 +0.2 +73 +119 +.23 +0.0 +.67 +12 +27

0

Acc

0

.40

.43

.33

.36

.32

.37

.48

.11

.17

% Rk 15% 25%

1%

2%

30% 95% 65% 10% 15%

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

+54 +0.5 +17.5 19 +65 +1.06 +.54 +.066 .32

.14

.21

.38

.20

.30

.28

.30

20%

25%

10% 30% 1%

4%

40%

5%

Carc

0 0

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-23.24 +84.04 +33.82 +188.50 95%

1%

140%

1%

29AN1975 FLYING V TRANSFORMER (AMF-NHF-CAF-DDF) Transformative Power & Performance  One of the top Yearling Weight EPD bulls to sell anywhere in 2016  Bigger outlined and power and performance bull that will add size and stretch  Dominant bull in his contemporary group, posted Pedigree a 120 on both WW and YW ratios Connealy Consensus 7229 S A V Bismarck 5682  You love his volume and capacity with his power V A R Generation 2100 Flying V Miss Pride 95Z and overall mass Sandpoint Blackbird 8809 Flying V Miss Pridge 11W  Awesome carcass EPDs with positive fat

USA Reg. No. 18244010 Born 20/02/2015

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +9 +1.4 +76 +139 +.29 +0.7 +1.47 +10 +35

0

Acc

0

.38

.43

.32

.36

.34

.47

.48

.10

.16

% Rk 25% 50%

1%

1%

2% 25% 15% 25% 1%

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

+27 +0.4 +25.6 29 +56 +.80 +1.27 +.081 .34

.17

.24

.38

.20

.30

.27

.30

55%

35%

1%

3%

3% 15%

1%

5%

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

- Page 10

Carc

0 0

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-38.54 +92.54 +38.77 +172.25 95%

1%

25%

1%

ANGUS / SIMMENTAL

237AN2862 MUSGRAVE AVIATOR (AMF-NHF-CAF-DDF) Pilot Your Course with Calving Ease and Phenotype

USA Reg. No. 17264774 Born 30/01/2012 Calving Ease

 Top 1% Calving Ease and Birth Weight combination with excellent growth, maternal value and carcass merit

★★★

Carcass Merit

 200 plus progeny are ratioing 96 for birth weight and 100 at weaning

Pedigree Sitz Upward 307R S A V Final Answer 0035 Kouplas B&B Identity MCATL Forever Lady 1429-138 B&B Erica 605 ALC Forever Lady R02S

 Progeny are attractive patterned with added muscle and style

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +17 -3.5 +56 +109 +.31 +0.1 +1.61 +13 +26

0

Acc

0

.69

.84

.76

.64

.37

.63

.65

.17

.23

% Rk 1%

1%

30%

15%

4% 90% 10% 10% 30%

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

+27 +0.3 +13.7 16 +29 +.64 +.90 +.063 .37

.17

.25

.44

.28

.35

.40

.35

55%

50%

20% 35% 55% 30% 10%

5%

Carc

0 0

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-16.53 +63.22 +36.92 +120.80 75%

15%

25%

35%

29AN1939 GDAR LEUPOLD 298 (AMF-NHF-CAF-DDF) USA Reg. No. 17228402 Born 13/02/2012 Calving Ease

★★★

Carcass Merit

Pedigree A A R Ten X 7008 S A GDAR Justice 622 A A R Leupold 0578 GDAR Miss Blackcap 9232 A A R Ankonian 4015 GDAR Miss Blackcap 556

Take Aim with Precision and Clarity  Curve bending genetics backed by generations of maternal goodness  Sires added body and thickness with outstanding foot and leg structure  Sired the top seller and 3 of the top 5 in the 2015 GDAR Sale where his progeny were the high ratioing sire group for both weaning & yearling performance  Dam is an ideal cow with added broodiness and a near perfect udder posting 3 calves with a 107 NR  His Grandam is a favourite donor at GDAR

AMERICAN ANGUS SIRE SUMMARY 15/04/2016 CED

BW

WW

YW

RADG

YH

SC

$ VALUES CEM MILK H/Dt

EPD +12 -0.6 +65 +113 +.25 +0.7 +1.51 +9 +28

0

Acc

0

.54

.70

.58

% Rk 10% 15% 10%

.56

.33

.71

.64

.13

.20

10% 20% 30% 15% 40% 20%

MW

MH

HP

DOC

CW

MARB

REA

FAT

+40 +0.1 +23.2 35 +55 +.70 +.28 +.012 .39

.22

.38

.65

.32

.41

.40

.40

35%

70%

1%

1%

5% 25% 70%

50%

Carc

1 4

$EN

$W

$G

$B

-22.45 +74.93 +31.44 +166.78 90%

5%

45%

3%

29SM0454 WS PRIME BEEF Z8 USA Reg. No. Born BW W/205 W/365 SC 12 Mo.

2675742 22/01/2012 34kg 334kg 650kg 41.3cm

Calving Ease

★★★

Prime Calving Ease & Performance  One of the most dynamic calving ease, spread, maternal and carcass sires you will find in the industry  One of only three purebred sires in the breed to rank in the top 5% for both CE and WW, top 2% for both API and TI, and still be in the top 20% of the breed for Marbling  Both sides of his pedigree are simply loaded from a maternal standpoint  DNA tested homozygous polled, PB SM, Red Pedigree WS Beef Maker R13 ER Big Sky 545B WS Beef King W107 HSF Miss Sky 87U WS Miss Dreamboat T17 HSF Fortunatas Quio 59S

Calving Merit

AMERICAN SIMMENTAL SIRE SUMMARY SUMMER 2016 CED

EPD +15.1

BW

-1.6

WW

YW

MCE

MILK

INDEX VALUES MWW

STAY

CW

+78.8 +109.7 +15.4 +19.8 +59.2 +22.3 +32.0

YG

MRB

-.37

+.38

BF

REA

-.024 +1.22

SHR

DOC

-.37

+0.4 .47

Acc

.59

.80

.76

.74

.32

.32

.43

.31

.55

.36

.44

.41

.36

.31

% Rk

4%

3%

4%

15%

1%

65%

20%

35%

35%

30%

10%

95%

2%

40%

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

- Page 11

API

TI

$158

$87

2%

1%

The 30-Day Game Changer: Improving Reproductive Efficiency and Profitability of Beef Herds G. Cliff Lamb North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, Florida, University of Florida Introduction Beef producers need cows to become pregnant, deliver healthy calves, and wean productive calves in order to make their operations economically viable. The failure of breeding females to become pregnant directly impacts the economic viability of every beef operation, yet few producers realize how infertility impacts their individual operations. Australian cattle producers have noticed unprecedented increases in the value of calves, replacement heifers, and cull cows and bulls. Therefore, every live calf that is produced and marketed has significant value to beef operations. The positive cash flow in the beef industry provides an ideal opportunity to incorporate reproductive technologies that previously may not have been viable. To maximize profitability in beef operations, producers depend on the production of one healthy calf per cow per year. Incorporating reproductive technologies enhances the opportunity to increase the financial and biological components that contribute to profitability of beef operations.

Use of estrus synchronization (ES) and artificial insemination (AI) Artificial insemination is not a new technology. The developmental research that preceded our modern techniques dates back to Russia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. For beef producers a major opportunity exists to increase the genetic potential of their herd through the use of AI. With AI, the most genetically superior sires are available to a large number of producers rather than being confined to the cows that are on a single pasture. In addition, the accuracy of predicting performance of offspring of young sires with no progeny (typical of most natural service sires) is less than that of sires with a large number of offspring (typical of “proven� AI sires). One of the primary advantages of using AI is that semen from sires with high accuracy are far superior to most natural service sires available. High accuracy of proven AI sires allow producers more confidence that the advertised performance and phenotypic characteristics of offspring will be realized, compared with offspring from low accuracy natural service sires. The risk of unexpected performance is greater when using low accuracy natural service sires. In addition, improving the accuracy of sire breeding value predictions may increase the overall rate of genetic change on beef operations and improved rate of genetic change can lead to subsequent improvements in overall profitability.

Synchronizing the estrous cycle with the use of exogenous (administered by injection or insert/implant cdir or cuemate to the cow) hormones has been developed and incorporated into beef production systems primarily to facilitate the use of AI for more than 40 years. A primary factor limiting the use of AI is the labor required to perform AI and to detect estrus in females and ensure they are inseminated at the appropriate time. It is now possible to expect to achieve pregnancy from AI in more than 50% of the herd during the first week of the breeding season. The success of ES in increasing the proportion of pregnancies derived from AI will increase the

rate of genetic improvement through mating with genetically superior AI sires. However, other benefits have become evident including the potential to alter the calving season and increase uniformity of calves. Estrus synchronization protocols, particularly those which include a progestin, may induce cyclicity in non-cyclic females. These mentioned advantages to utilize ES have enhanced its use in beef operations and is usually used in conjunction with AI. One such improvement that is underutilized by beef producers is the use of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Fixedtime artificial insemination is frequently overlooked because many beef cattle producers feel like they need to know how to artificially inseminate cows. However, the technology has improved and now cattle producers can inseminate all of their cows or heifers on a single day at the same time.

The development of FTAI has allowed producers to improve the genetic traits of their cattle and shorten the lengths of both the breeding season and subsequent calving season, which can lead to increased overall profitability of cow-calf production systems.

The success of FTAI programs can be affected by several factors, including postpartum anestrus, days postpartum, parity, and body condition score (BCS). Postpartum anestrus is a major contributor to infertility in cattle. The resumption of the estrous cycle earlier in the postpartum period increases the number of estrous cycles and the chances for a cow to become pregnant during the breeding season. Reducing the postpartum interval may be accomplished by managing preand postpartum nutrition, BCS, disease through an active herd health program, and suckling interaction between cow and calf. The effects of days postpartum and parity on FTAI pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows have been previously shown, with improved fertility in multiparous cows even when days postpartum amounted to more than 50. Body condition score during the peripartum period also affects fertility. It has been shown that a single unit increase in BCS, especially from poor BCS to adequate BCS, resulted in a 23 percentage point increase in the proportion of cows pregnant to a TAI. In addition, cows calving in poor BCS experience longer intervals to the first postpartum estrus compared to cows calving in moderate to good BCS. What should I expect from my AI program?

Before discussing what you should expect from an AI program, it is important to understand a few definitions that are frequently used when talking about the success of a program, but often misinterpreted. These definitions are: 1) Synchronization rate: defined as the percentage of females detected in heat compared to the number of females synchronized.

2) Conception rate: defined as the percentage of females pregnant compared to the number of females detected in heat.

3) Pregnancy rate: defined as the percentage of females pregnant compared to the total number of females synchronized.

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

- Page 12

In general GnRH would be preferred over Cidirol at FTAI, since ovulation tends to uniform with GnRH than Cidirol.

For example, if a producer synchronizes 100 females and detects 75 females in heat and inseminates those 75 cows, and ends up with 50 pregnancies. The synchronization rate would be 75% (75 females in heat compared to 100 total females synchronized), the conception rate would be 67% (50 females pregnant compared to 75 females inseminated), and the pregnancy rate would be 50% (50 females pregnant compared to 100 females synchronized).

Determining how successful your synchronization and AI program is will help you identify the pitfalls and correct them, you can’t administer what you don’t measure. Essentially, synchronization rate is important if you use an estrus synchronization system that requires heat detection. The more females you detect in heat will result in more females to inseminate and potentially become pregnant AI. Figure 1. The CIDR protocol for cows Figureto1.The 7-day CO-Synch + 7-day CIDRCO-Synch protocol+for cows Conception rate is somewhat meaningless to the success of an AI program, but frequently used by producers when For heifers: As with cows, the most simple of all protocols that For heifers: As with cows, the most simple of all protocols that consistently provid sharing how successful they were. The primary issue with consistently provides the best success is the 7-day CO-Synch success is the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol 2), most which is likely the mo conception rate is that you do not take into account females + CIDR protocol (Figure 2), which(Figure is likely the utilized ofdetected heifer protocols.

However, producers usingproducers this protocol note the differe that were synchronized and that were not in heat. of heifer protocols.

However, using should this protocol Therefore, pregnancy rate is a far betterinterval assessment of the should note the difference in the interval from CIDR removal from CIDR removal to FTAI. For heifers the FTAI should occur at betwe success of their AI program than conception rate.

However, to FTAI. For heifers the FTAI should occur at between 52 and 56 hours after CIDR removal. Producers should not consider using Pregnecol in be keep in mind that generally pregnancy rates will be lower 56 hours after CIDR removal. Producers should not consider There is no data to indicate that Pregnecol enhances pregnancy rates in heifers.

Th than conception rates unless a fixed-time AI program is used using Pregnecol in beef heifers. There is no data to indicate drawback of this system heifersenhances is that onpregnancy occasionrates theinshort-term or every female is detected in heat. that in Pregnecol heifers. Thesystems, such result in poor pregnancy rates of if this heifers areinnot developed drawback system heifers is that on correctly. occasion theTherefore, an Selecting an estrus synchronization (ES) and FTAI short-term systems, such as this, result 3) in poor pregnancy long-term system called the 14-day CIDR-PG (Figure protocol, which is recom protocol rates if heifers are not developed correctly.

Therefore, cattle producers can plan for more than one month in advance. Thisanprotocol provi There are many protocols from which to choose. Many of alternative long-term system called the 14-day CIDR-PG opportunity to ‘kick-start’ heifers to start cycling and allows heifers to have one es these protocols work; however, as indicated previously the (Figure 3) protocol, which is recommended if cattle producers prior to AI. success of the protocol likely relies more heavily on the can plan for more than one month in advance. This protocol management and fertility of the herd rather than the specific provides an opportunity to ‘kick-start’ heifers to start cycling protocol selected. Therefore, the most simply protocols and allows heifers to have one estrous cycle prior to AI. recommended are below for cows and heifers.

For cows: Essentially the most simple of all protocols that consistently provides the best success is the 7-day COSynch + CIDR protocol (Figure 1) is the primary protocol recommended for cows. In cows the FTAI should occur at between 60 and 66 hours after CIDR removal. Producers may have had experience with administering Pregnecol (the trade name for equine chorionic gonadotropin) at the time of CIDR removal, but this may only be effective in females that are not cycling at the start of the breeding season. In addition, use of Pregnecol should be monitored, since field reports have noted an increasing in twinning rates. In general GnRH would be preferred over Cidirol at FTAI, since ovulation tends to be more uniform with GnRH than Cidirol.

Figure 2. The 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for heifers Figure 2. The 7-day CO-Synch CIDR protocol for heifers Figure 2. The+7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for heifers

Figure 3. The CO-Synch + CIDR protocol forprotocol heifers Figure 3. 7-day The 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR

for heifers Figure 3. The 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for heifers BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

- Page 13

If I implement an AI program what pregnancy rates should I expect?

In most cases, using a FTAI program will yield greater pregnancy rates than heat detection systems because every female will have a chance to become pregnant. Producers should consider FTAI as an option, especially if time and labor are potential pitfalls to implementing an AI program.

Fixed-time AI will help reduce the time and labor associated with the AI system and all females can be inseminated on the same day. Producers who synchronize and AI for the first time should not expect to obtain similar pregnancy rates to producers who have implemented an AI program for one or more years. Frequently, synchronization and AI is oversold and first-time users have unrealistic expectations of what they should expect for pregnancy rates. From our experience, we know that the advantages of implementing a synchronization and AI program go further than simply obtaining good pregnancy rates.

rates to the AI, but the impacts are far greater than simply focusing on pregnancy rates. In fact, the primary focus should be on the changes to calving distribution, economic impacts, and other positive indicators of fertility. In a longterm study at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education Center located in Marianna, FL we introduced the utilization of multiple technologies on the subsequent value of the calf crop. This case study was conducted during the spring 2008 to spring 2013 breeding seasons, in a cow/ calf operation consisting of 300 cows. Prior to the 2008 the breeding season the herd exposed to a 120 day breeding season. The goal was to reduce the breeding season to 70 days within 4 years. To do this, it was decided, in 2008, that all females in the operation would be exposed to the following criteria:

In a recent study performed at multiple locations using the same estrus synchronization system the pregnancy rates ranged from 44.4% to 65.8% (Figure 4). After evaluating each of these operations for multiple factors (such as age, body condition score, days postpartum, etc.) that may have affected pregnancy rates, the primary factor that appeared to have the largest impact on success was whether the herd had been previously exposed to estrus synchronization and AI or not. The three herds that had previously been exposed to estrus synchronization and AI for eight or more years had pregnancy rates of 56.9% to 65.8%, whereas those herds that had not previously been exposed to estrus synchronization and AI had pregnancy rates ranging from 44.4% to 50.4%.

Therefore, obtaining pregnancy rates that may be deemed good or acceptable may require a long-term commitment rather than expecting excellent results from the start.

3. a cow must produce a live calf every year and calve without assistance or she was culled;

1. replacement heifer must become pregnant during the first 25 days of the breeding season; 2. every cow will be exposed to ES and TAI;

4. every cow must provide the resources for the genetic potential of the calves and each calf she produces must be genetically capable of performing; 5. every cow must maintain body condition score without requiring supplemental feeding; 6. any cow with an undesirable temperament or disposition was culled.

As a result of incorporating multiple reproductive management practices, the breeding season was reduced from 120 to 70 days and almost all cows calve prior to initiation of the breeding season and are exposed to a single TAI at the initiation of the breeding season. The net result is a more compact calving season that has increased the value of calves (in current US dollars) by $169 per calf or an annual increase in calf value for the 300 head operation of $50,700 per year (Table 1).

had pregnancy rates ranging from 44.4% to 50.4%. Therefore, obtaining pregnancy rates that Long-term impacts implementing an ES and AI programa long-term commitment rather than may be deemed goodof or acceptable may require Frequently when introducing an estrus synchronization and expecting excellent results from the start. an AI program the cattle breeder’s focus is on pregnancy

Figure 4. Pregnancy rates among 8 herds synchronized with the same fixed-time AI protocol. Filled bars represent herds that had been previously exposed to estrus synchronization and AI for at least eight years.

Figure 4. Pregnancy rates among 8 herds synchronized with the same fixed-time AI protocol.

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016exposed - Page 14 to estrus synchronization and AI Filled bars represent herds that had been previously

season and are exposed to a single TAI at the initiation of the breeding season (Figure 9).

The net result is a more compact calving season that has increased the value of calves (in current US dollars) by $169 per calf or an annual increase in calf value for the 300 head operation of $50,700 per year (Table 1).

Table 1. Breeding season characteristics and change in calf value by incorporating a TAI program into the NFREC Beef herd Year Item Overall PR, % Mean calving daya Breeding season length, d Difference from 2006/2007

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

81

86

84

86

82

94

92

93

79.2

80.9

59.2

56.2

53.7

47.2

39.5

38.7

120

120

110

88

80

75

70

72

0

0

21.7

24.7

27.2

33.7

41.4

42.2

0

0

$87

$99

$109

$135

$166

$169

b

Per calf increase in value , US$

Per herd increase in valuec, 0 0 $26 $30 $33 $40 $50 US$1,000 a Mean calving day from initiation of the calving season b Increase calf value based on increased weaning weight compared to 2006/2007 mean calving day with 500 lb calf valued at US$2.00/lb c Increase calf value based on 300 head cow herd.

To ‘get started right’ producers should consider all of the benefits of estrus synchronization

To ‘get started right’ producers should consider all of the and AI rather than simply focusing on pregnancy rates to AI. A long-term commitment benefits of estrus synchronization and AI rather than simply means that thererates maytobeAI.breeding seasons that pregnancy rates are less than what might be focusing on pregnancy A long-term commitment expected, but committing to such a program will yield significant benefits. For the herd in means that there may be breeding seasons that pregnancy above pregnancy rates AI have ranged from 39% to 56% during the five rates the are less thanexample, what might be expected, buttocommitting to such a program will yield benefits. years that cows havesignificant been exposed to For AI.the If herd we had changed course when pregnancy rates in thewere abovelow example, pregnancy rates AI have ranged metrics that affect the productivity of our we may have lost thetomore important from 39% to 56% during five years that cows have been operation, such astheoverall breeding season pregnancy rates, breeding season length, and exposed to AI. If we had changed course when pregnancy increased calf value. rates were low we may have lost the more important metrics that affect the productivity of our operation, such as overall Keys to simplifying and having in an AI program – take home messages: breeding season pregnancy rates, breedingsuccess season length, Well-managed (nutrition, herd health, and animal handling) herds tend to have greater and increased calf value.

success

Keys to simplifying having in an AI program - Ensureand cattle are success on an increasing plane of nutrition – take home messages: - Allow an AI expert assist in bulls and ES protocol selection - Well-managed (nutrition, herd health, and animal - Be sure facilities are suitable for handling) herds tend to have greater success inserts, and performing AI

restraining cattle for injections, inserting vaginal

- Ensure- cattle are on the an increasing planeon of nutrition Commit time to focus the AI project

- AIKeep simple by using a system with only three yardings - Allow an expertthings assist in bulls and ES protocol - Utilize FTAI. Herds with success with heat detection are the selection -

success FTAI. Be sure facilities arewith suitable for restraining cattle for

same herds that have

injections, inserting vaginal inserts, and performing AI - Commit the time to focus on the AI project - Keep things simple by using a system with only three yardings - Utilize FTAI. Herds with success with heat detection are the same herds that have success with FTAI. - Use an experienced artificial insemination technician - Consider using semen from bulls with high accuracy for specific traits of interest - Stick to a program for several years, success comes with time

BEEF SIRE UPDATE 2016

Dr. Cliff Lamb - Page 15

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