Cow Camp Ranch GRASS TIME SALE
1:00 pm ct
April 262025
Lost Springs, KS
75 Age-Advantaged
Simmental and SimAngus™ Bulls Sell
100 Registered Simmental and SimAngus™ Fall Bred Heifers
LOCATION
2181 360th Road, Lost Springs, KS
From North: On 77 Hwy., 5 miles south of the 56 & 77 highway junction in Herington, 2 1/8 miles west on 360th Rd.
From South: 2 miles north of the Lost Springs corner on 77 Highway, 2 1/8 miles west on 360th Rd. Sale will be held in the Drovers Barn right off of 360th Rd.
SALE DAY PHONES
Ranch Office (785) 983-4483
Kent Brunner (cell) (785) 466-6475
Nolan Brunner (cell) (785) 466-1129
Mark Brunner (cell) (785) 258-0173
Tracy Brunner (cell) (785) 366-6667
Superior Productions (800) 431-4452
AUCTIONEER
Charly Cummings (620) 625-3394
SALE STAFF
Marty Ropp, (406) 581-7835
Allied Genetic Resources
Corey Wilkins, (256) 590-2487
Allied Genetic Resources
Jared Murnin, (406) 321-1542
Allied Genetic Resources
Stephen Russell, (785) 458-2650
Kansas Stockman
Guy Peverley, (785) 456-4390
The Stock Exchange
Bill Bowman, (816) 752-0079
Missouri Beef Cattleman
Michael Dikeman, (785) 770-2977
American Simmental Assoc.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Cattle may be viewed any time prior to sale day.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
8:00 am Sale cattle on display
11:00 am Complimentary Lunch
1:00 pm Cow Camp Ranch Grass Time Sale
COW CAMP RANCH
LOST SPRINGS, KS
bullsale@cowcampbeef.com www.CowCampBeef.com
Kent Brunner 785-466-6475
Mark Brunner 785-258-0173
Nolan Brunner 785-466-1129
Tracy Brunner/Feed Yard 785-965-2228
SALE ACCOMMODATIONS
Comfort Inn (785) 238-7887
35 miles north, I-70 exit 296, Junction City, KS
Days Inn & Suites (316) 452-2992
60 miles south, El Dorado, KS
Herington Inn & Suites (800) 597-4581
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Terms of the sale are cash, and all cattle become property of the buyer at the time of sale. If you are unable to take delivery or pick up immediately following the sale, please acknowledge you assume all liability for those animals at time of sale. We will care for them to the best of our ability, however accidents can happen, so we recommend you insure your purchase. All animals will be sold in accordance with the Suggested Sale Terms and Conditions of the American Simmental Association unless other terms are stated in this catalog. All announcements made sale day take precedence over printed material in this catalog or other printed material associated with this sale. All cattle will be registered with the American Simmental Association and those papers will be transferred after the sale. Please note all EPDs will change between the time this catalog is printed and the day of the sale. All EPDs in the catalog will be current as of the day they are printed. Owners, their agents or any of the sale staff will not be held responsible for any personal injury, loss or accident while attending this sale.
LIVESTOCK INSURANCE
We cannot guarantee against injury, frost bite, disease, mismanagement, or death. Therefore, we recommend you insure your purchase. If you would like the full protection of mortality insurance, please contact Jared Mohnen with Dakota Ag Insurance at 605-999-4475.
SEMEN AND INTEREST
Selling full possession and 100% semen interest on all bulls unless otherwise noted in the sale book or announced prior to the sale. Cow Camp will retain the right to collect and/or use owner’s semen on all bulls selling, for in herd use only.
BREEDING GUARANTEE
We guarantee all bulls selling for fertility, for the first 90-day breeding season. All bulls selling will have passed a BSE within 30 days of the sale. In the event there is a problem with your bull, contact Kent or Nolan immediately and we’ll do our best to make it right. If a satisfactory replacement is not available, we will issue credit to be used in future sales. We do not guarantee against injury or death, so we recommend you insure your purchase. Any claim must be made prior to culling the animal and a veterinary statement will be required.
All bred females have been confirmed safe in calf by a licensed veterinarian on April 21st and are guaranteed to be bred the day of the sale. Buyers may request another examination prior to delivery or pick up at their expense, but no guarantee can be made past delivery or pick up.
TRUCKING / FEEDING OPTIONS
• $50 off bulls only picked up sale day.
• Free delivery of bulls only 300 miles to central locations on $10,000 purchases. Delivery past 300 miles is available and will be prorated depending on the miles and the load. We guarantee delivery costs on bulls beyond 300 miles not to exceed $500 per head. Delivery will begin immediately following the sale. Any animals that Cow Camp is not coordinating delivery on, may be kept free of charge the week following the sale. Cattle kept beyond that will be charged $4 per head per day. We can assist in delivery arrangement of females, but all costs will be the responsibility of the buyer. Note: Trucking of the females will be the responsibility of the buyer. We ask that you try and find alternative trucking for them and that they be picked up no later than the week following the sale.
VOLUME DISCOUNTS
• 3 bulls = 3% off
• 4 bulls = 4% off
• 5-9 bulls = 5% off and 500 miles trucking
• 10 or more bulls = 5% off and free trucking
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
We have done our best to represent the sale offering as they are, however our Customer Satisfaction Guarantee protects you against getting cattle that are not what you thought they were. If you have a problem with an animal, it’s our problem. We are the only ones who can fix it, so please contact us and give us a chance to help.
SALE MANAGEMENT
www.alliedgeneticresources.com
Welcome
Welcome to our 3rd annual Grass Time sale and what an incredible time to be in the cattle business! The first two sales have been a tremendous success, and we’re excited to once again offer an excellent set of bulls and bred heifers in this year’s Grass Time Sale.
All bulls in this year’s offering are age-advanced bulls and ready for heavy service. These bulls were sorted and developed specifically with this sale in mind, and we are excited to be able to offer bulls of this quality and quantity late in the sale season. As you look through the bulls, we think you’ll find the same depth and uniformity that you’ve come to expect at Cow Camp. Our goal is and always has been to breed cattle that work in all environments and are profitable for all our customers.
This year’s set of bred heifers is loaded with quality from top to bottom. These heifers are direct from the replacement pen and from the heart of the herd in order to offer females that will work in any program. Many of them come AI bred and to some of the top sires in both the Simmental and Angus breeds. Included are the first daughters of CCR Bedrock along with progeny of the time tested and proven sires: CCR Pounder, CCR Bonafide, CLRS Herdbook and many more. These heifers are bred to calve in September and October and will be confirmed safe in calf the week of the sale.
We look forward to seeing you all again in April and hope you can join us. As always if you are unable to attend the sale, we have the online bidding option available through Superior Livestock. Visitors are always welcome so if you’d like to stop by prior to the sale, be sure to call.
Sincerely, Cow Camp Ranch
The Brunner Family
Thank you to our great Cow Camp Crew.
Gary Schubert, Tracy Brunner, Kent Brunner, Tucker Day, Mark Brunner, Brody Bryant, Nolan Brunner, Lance Day, Kolton Aubuchon, Byron Noeth, Trent Turner, Travis Kitzmiller, Noah Brunner, Bryant Brunner, Tanner Brunner, Amanda Britton
Improved Buying Confidence with Greater Genomic ASSURANCE
Access to more and better information has always been key to making wise decisions. The evolution and improvement of genetic evaluation tools too has given us an ever-clearer picture of the true genetic makeup of cattle and thus a better view of the value proposition. RightMate, powered by Top Genomics LLC is taking the evaluation of genetics and genomics one giant step further. By combining speci c genomic information with the long-proven value of EPDs, this new advancement in technology improves our depth and precision when evaluating the actual ability to transmit value and pro t.
The 3 Accreditation Logos below are designed to simplify bull selection and improve buyer con dence by more accurately describing the genetics o ered and by reducing risk. What this means to you as a customer is a much greater assurance that you are getting both what you want and need from the genetics you purchase. What it means to your seedstock provider is access to RightMate technology that simply sets them apart from the rest of the industry.
ACCREDITED GENOMIC PLUS – For the majority of producers who simply need consistent and balanced genetic improvement, without genomic setbacks, G+ Accredited bulls should be on your list for premium purchase. These sires will absolutely move you forward for both cost reduction and income producing traits and substantially reduce risk when compared to all other evaluation programs. It’s simple, the right genes are in these bulls to help secure a pro table future and the they have great EPDs to match!
ACCREDITED CALVING EASE – Simply nd bulls with the ACE logo for third party Accredited, secure Calving Ease bulls. Though we have had tools in the past to assist in choosing heifer bulls, we’ve never had one nearly this e ective. The reduced risk that comes with this genomic certi cation will simply make your decisions easier and your heifer calving season more successful. Purchase special purpose ACE bulls with con dence. They will deliver consistent and predictable calving ease.
ACCREDITED TERMINAL MATE – Just like an ATM machine makes it simpler to access your cash, the ATM Logo highlights bulls accredited to generate extra cash income as soon as your next calf crop! These bulls are meant speci cally to use only on mature cows and for the purpose of adding performance, pay weight and end product value to market.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE AS AN ABSENTEE BUYER
VIEWING THE AUCTION ONLINE
The auction will be broadcast online at Bid.SuperiorLivestock.com and the pre-recorded videos will also be hosted there prior to and on sale day. You do not need an account or login just to watch the auction.
ONLINE BIDDING
Go to Bid.SuperiorLivestock.com for Superior’s new online bidding platform. If you have not registered there before you will need to create an account if you wish to bid (there is no registration required just to watch the auction). Once you have created an account, request a buyer number and you will then be able to bid online with the largest and most trusted cattle marketing entity in North America. Superior’s new platform allows you to see both the live stream of the auction AND the pre-recorded videos on one screen at the same time!
TURN IN BIDS OVER THE PHONE
This is Superior’s suggested bidding method for anybody who does not have consistent, high-speed internet. You still must register an account at Bid.SuperiorLivestock.com and request a buyer number and upon doing so you will see the bid line phone number. Just watch the auction online and call in at least 2 lots ahead of the lot you are looking to bid on.
FOR HELP WITH REGISTRATION OR ANY PART OF THE BIDDING PROCESS PLEASE CALL SUPERIOR
COW CAMP FEEDER CATTLE MARKETING OPTIONS
Cow Camp Inc, established in 1989, is our family-owned commercial cattle feeding operation. We have purchased and fed cattle from our bull customers for over 30 years now, and we will always continue to be active buyers of Cow Camp Genetics. There are several different feeding and marketing options as well as feed lot placement options. If you have any interest in selling or retaining interest in your calves through Cow Camp Feed Yard, please contact Tracy Brunner at (785) 965-2228.
Likewise, we have a strong relationship with Superior Livestock. If a customer has load lot capabilities, we would have an interest in assisting you with marketing your calves. We have numerous loads of calves with the Cow Camp and Allied logo marketed annually on Superior. We view it as an extremely effective avenue to market your calves with the largest buyer base across the U.S. If you have any interest in marketing calves do not hesitate contacting us.
From the Sale Manager
Welcome to the 2025 Cow Camp Ranch Grass Time Sale in Lost Springs, Kansas. What an opportunity for some front-end genetics prior to turn out time. The beef business has entered into a promising times for cow calf producers and the optimism in cattle prices continues to become stronger the further into the year we go.
Cow Camp made the decision three years ago to give buyers two opportunities to purchase bulls. The Grass Time bulls are not hold overs and have never been marketed in the past. These bulls were ear marked at yearling time to be featured in the Grass Time Sale. Expect the same quality, service, and genetic horsepower buyers have come to expect with the CCR prefix. The entire offering of bulls come in an age advantage package and with Cow Camp’s first-class development are ready to go to work, cover more cows, and hold up better than most bulls on the marketplace. The females represent genetic advancement for both seedstock and commercial producers alike. They come from the heart of one of the most successful seedstock producers and are bred to the industry’s leading bulls.
Along with delivering customer’s superior genetics the service competent of Cow Camp Ranch is second to none. They assist in numerous loads of CCR sired feeder cattle being marketed over the video or directly to Cow Camp Feedlot. They have the confidence in their genetics to bring quality premiums while having the maternal genetics to keep you in business for years to come. If you have CCR sired feeder cattle we encourage you to reach out to the Brunners for marketing ideas.
We hope you can join us the last Saturday in April in Lost Spring, Kansas. If you have not tried a Cow Camp bull in the past come check out what the program is all about. As always, if we can be any assistance, please do not hesitate in reaching out to us.
Sincerely, Marty Ropp, Corey Wilkins and Jared Murnin
About the Bulls
DOCILITY RATING
All bulls selling have a Docility Rating. This is our own evaluation of the bulls and based on our interactions with them, not on their EPD which is a prediction of their offspring only. We have observed the bulls on multiple occasions and feel confident that we have culled the bulls that fall below a score of 3. However, temperaments can change as bulls get older and in certain situations and this should always be considered when handling them. Definitions of the scores are as follows:
1
– Docile (Mostly gentle and easily handled)
2 – Restless (Above average but can be difficult in stressful situations)
3 – Nervous (Manageable, but may require a different level of management and respect when handling)
CALVING EASE STAR
All Bull lots have a Calving Ease Rating. This is a star rating system to help you select bulls based on how we believe they will calve. Always remember that the cow contributes 50% of the genetics and this should be taken into consideration when making your final mating decisions. The definitions are as follows:
**** Can be used on virgin heifers with confidence
*** Potential heifer bull, should be used on young cows first
** Acceptable calving ease, but should not be used on heifers
* Terminal sire, should be used on mature cows only.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO BULL DEVELOPMENT - GROWN SLOW TO INCREASE LONGEVITY FOR YOU
The shift in our operation to develop 18-month-old bulls has allowed us to become more creative in our bull development program, in order to deliver a better product to commercial cattlemen.
All our bulls within the sale offering come in a fall born 18-month-old package. Pre weaning our development process looks similar to how every commercial cattleman runs their cattle. We look for cost effective feedstuffs and maintain the calves at a level or nutrition which will show their genetic potential. Our fall born calves come into weaning pens in April in May and are left there for a few weeks to monitor health and we begin making culling decisions for our bull sale.
Post weaning is where our bull development is vastly different versus most. After weaning and monitoring them for a few weeks for health the bulls are then returned to forage for the summer months. They graze a variety of native forages the Flint Hills has to offer along with Triticale. When summer ends the bulls will weigh near 1,000 pounds for their yearling weight. After Labor Day the bulls return to headquarters, and we begin feeding them a more traditional bull development ration ahead of our bull sale.
Our goal has always been to sell bulls that hold up well but feel this type of development is another step to ensure longevity and added breeding ability in the bulls that you purchase here. We think you’ll find the bulls
CCR CROSSFIT 6504L Sells as Lot 1.
CCR CROSSFIT 6523L Sells as Lot 2.
CCR SOUTHERN 156L Sells as Lot 3.
1
CCR CROSSFIT 6504L
Homo
2
CCR CROSSFIT 6523L
3
CCR SOUTHERN 156L
CCR HURON 7594L
CCR HURON 7647L
Homo
CCR BEDROCK 1269L
CCR BEDROCK 1412L
CCR BONAFIDE 6423L
CCR BIG HORN 9576L
CCR POUNDER 9747L
11
CCR BIG HORN 9649L
CCR BIG HORN 9694L
CCR ACCLAIM 8099K Maternal brother to Lot 13.
CCR RAWHIDE 8581L Sells as Lot 14. 13
CCR RAWHIDE 8581L
CCR JETPACK 0282L
CCR BLACKFOOT 8099L Sells as Lot 13.
CCR BLACKFOOT 8099L
15
CCR RAWHIDE 8533L
CCR JETPACK 0392L
18
CCR JETPACK 0224L
CCR BIG HORN 9503L
CCR BIG HORN 9581L
21
CCR POUNDER 9554L
CCR POUNDER 8562L
22
CCR MOON PASS 0334L
23
CCR MOON PASS 0240L
CCR MOON PASS 0258L
CCR CROSSFIT 6529L
CCR CROSSFIT 6560L
CCR HERDBOOK 7628L
CCR ECLIPSE 1357L Sells as Lot 29.
CCR 0411 HONOR 4505L Sells as Lot 30.
CCR HONOR 1363L Sells as Lot 31. 29
CCR ECLIPSE 1357L
CCR 0411 HONOR 4505L
CCR HONOR 1363L
CCR HONOR 1335L
CCR RESERVE 0476L
CCR GALILEO 535L
CCR KIOWA 8073L
CCR ENCORE 9767L
CCR HOMELAND 0439L
CCR GUNSMOKE 8714L
CCR HERDBOOK 0327L
CCR JURISDICTION 7181L
CCR CROSSFIT 7021L
CCR CROSSFIT 6421L
CCR BLACKFOOT 7529L
CCR BIG HORN 9706L
CCR HURON 7020L
CCR GALILEO 6550L
Cow Camp is honored with the Golden Book Award.
The World Simmental-Fleckvieh Federation (WSFF) Golden Book Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of the Simmental/Simbrah breeds. The ASA Board, which nominates and approves Golden Book Awards, authorizes up to three awards annually.
This past year, Cow Camp Ranch was honored to be selected as a Golden Book Award recipient.
CCR GALILEO 8038L
CCR GUNSMOKE 0316L
CCR MOON PASS 0346L
CCR 6549 GUNSMOKE 6166L
CCR 50K 7120L
CCR HERDBOOK 0353L
CCR BONAFIDE 6558L
CCR CROSSFIT 7041L
CCR KIOWA 8002L
59
CCR GALILEO 8010L
CCR COCHISE 8219L
CCR BONAFIDE 8057L
CCR BOOMER 1488L
CCR BONAFIDE 6446L
CCR JURISDICTION 8607L
CCR MOON PASS 0217L
CCR BIG HORN 8698L
CCR HERDBOOK 7502L
CCR HERDBOOK 0409L
Reference Service Sires
When we decided to add a second sale for our customer base in 2023, we also wanted to find an avenue to market some of our registered fall bred heifers. We have been in expansion mode the last several years and this is an opportunity for buyers to source registered fall bred heifers at an auction. The females represent some of finest genetics and come from are very own replacement pen.
The heifers are genetically backed by some of the most proven and prolific genetics in the beef business. If you are in search for a couple to elevate your registered program or are looking at heifers in volume, we feel this strong
of females will suit your needs.
RAPPORT
BRIDLE
Ms Bedrock 3438L is a hard one to part with. The Bedrock cattle have not disappointed so far and she will be one of the first and only Bedrock bred heifers to sell this spring. AI bred to the up-and-coming young sire CCR Primal; this has the makings of an incredible mating both genetically and phenotypically. 3438L is out of a striking young Flat Iron dam with a beautiful udder that traces back to the Apple cow family. She is a brood cow in the making with a great set of numbers to back it up.
CCR MS BEDROCK 3438L
MS BEDROCK 3438L Sells as Lot 72.
CCR PRIMAL Service Sire for Lot 72.
CCR MS BEDROCK 3547L
CCR MS BEDROCK 3439L
Lot 75 is a Big Horn female with loads of potential. An outcross pedigree, an excellent set of numbers and she carries the G+ Ace logo. Top 5% in CE, MCE, Stay, Marb, API and TI. 3715L is bred to Bridle Bit Blackout, another up and coming young sire that we are very excited about and should be an excellent match. She is the type and kind we strive to produce for replacement females and will no doubt fit anyone’s program.
CCR MS BIG HORN 3715L
CCR MS BIG HORN 3715L Sells as Lot 75.
CCR MS BIG HORN 3201L
CCR MS BIG HORN 3061L
CCR MS BIG HORN
This set of Kiowa females are cows in the making. We calved the first daughters last fall, and they are weaning big calves this spring as 2-year-olds. We couldn’t be more pleased with the job they’ve done. Lot 79 combines the physical and genetic makeup you’d like all your replacements to have. She carries one of the more interesting F1 matings bred to the Angus bull RSA True Balance. The planned mating EPDs are as good as you can make them. Be sure and take note of these females on sale day.
CCR MS KIOWA 3633L
CCR MS KIOWA 3053L
CCR MS KIOWA 3633L Sells as Lot 79.
CCR MS KIOWA 3311L
CCR MS KIOWA 3207L
CCR MS KIOWA 3221L
CCR MS KIOWA 3636L
CCR MS 2407 COWBOY 5443C Grandam of Lot 85.
CCR
CCR MS GUNSMOKE 3506L
CCR MS GUNSMOKE 3510L
CCR MS GUNSMOKE
CCR MS HURON 3614L
CCR MS HURON 3601L
CCR MS HURON 3604L Sells as Lot 92.
CCR MS HURON 3702L
CCR MS HURON 3704L
CCR MS BONAFIDE 3701L
Homo
CCR MS BONAFIDE 3605L
CCR MS BONAFIDE 3100L
CCR MS BONAFIDE 3024L
CCR MS TRUE GRIT 3446L
CCR MS ECLIPSE 3421L
CCR MS RULER 3445L
CCR MS RULER 3442L
CCR MS 0517 WAR PAINT 3620L
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3402L
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3629L
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3534L Sells as Lot 109.
CCR RAWHIDE 137J Sire of Lots 106-112.
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3117L
CCR MS 8012 COWBOY 4145B Grandam of Lot 109.
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3534L
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3531L
CCR MS RAWHIDE 3227L
CCR MS BLACKFOOT 3538L
CCR MS BLACKFOOT 3538L Sells as Lot
CCR MS BLACKFOOT 3028L
CCR MS GALILEO 3001L
CCR MS GALILEO 3008L
CCR MS GALILEO 3034L
CCR MS COCHISE 3429L
121
CCR MS COCHISE 3202L
CCR MS COCHISE 3437L
CCR MS COCHISE 3204L
CCR MS COCHISE 3205L
CCR MS COCHISE 3501L
CCR MS POUNDER 3045L
CCR MS 7130 HONOR
CCR MS HONOR 3428L
CCR MS GENESIS 3216L
CCR MS RESERVE 3539L
CCR MS RESERVE 3047L
CCR MS RESERVE 3214L
CCR MS CROSSFIT 3004L
CCR MS CROSSFIT 3026L
CCR MS MOON PASS 3230L
CCR MS JETPACK 3509L
CCR MS JETPACK 3219L
CCR MS JETPACK 3549L
CCR MS JETPACK
MS JETPACK 3516L
CCR MS HERDBOOK 3035L
CCR MS HERDBOOK 3020L
CCR MS HERDBOOK 3217L
CCR MS 6044J 3705L
CCR MS HOMELAND 3550L
CLRS HOMELAND 327H Sire of Lots 155-157.
CCR MS ENCORE 3304L
CCR MS HOMELAND 3232L
CCR MS ENCORE 3621L
CCR MS JOURNEY
162
CCR MS BIG JOHN 3637L
163
CCR MS BOOMER 3430L
2025 PUREBRED SIMMENTAL PERCENTILE TABLE
CCR MS JURISDICTION 3122L
Sells as Lot 164.
ES JACK RED Service sire of Lot 165.
RFS ELECTRIFY L46
Service sire of Lot 164.
CCR MS COPPERHEAD 3121L Sells as Lot 165.
What a pair of bred heifers to lead off the Red division! We sampled the Jurisdiction bull thinking we could create some outcross red genetics with genetic potency of Hooks Galileo, and we were right. Ms Jurisdiction carries an exciting red PB mating with the service of RFS Electrify who should compliment her well. Ms Copperhead sells as lot 165 and is exactly what we’ve come to expect out of the Copperhead daughters. As deep and soggy as they come with balanced EPDs and sound structure. Her Jack Red mating could be a great one as well.
166
CCR MS HILGER ONE 3447L
CCR MS HERCULES 3111L
CCR MS HERCULES 3449L
CCR MS HERCULES 3114L
171
CCR MS JEFFERSON 3109L
CCR MS JEFFERSON 3120L
172
ASA QUICK REFERENCE TO EPDS, INDEXES AND $VALUES
EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCES (EPDS): EPDs are the most accurate and effective tool available for comparing genetic levels. In using EPDs, the difference between two sires’ EPDs represents the unit difference expected in the performance of their progeny. For example, if sires A and B have EPDs of +10 and -5, a 15-unit difference would be expected in their progeny (moving from -5 to +10 yields 15 units). Key to using EPDs is knowing in what units they are expressed. For example, if the above case referred to weaning weight EPDs, sire A would be expected to sire 15 pounds more weaning weight than sire B. If calving ease was the trait, sire A would be expected to sire 15 percent more unassisted births in first-calf heifers; in other words, if sire B sired 30 assists in a group of 100 heifers, we would expect sire A to require 15 assists. A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s EPDs rank him relative to other bulls in the breed. For more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes, visit www.simmental.org.
Listed below are the units in which ASA EPDs are expressed:
ALL-PURPOSE INDEX (API): Dollars per cow exposed under an all-purpose-sire scenario. (See $ Indexes for more details.)
BACK FAT (BF): Inches of carcass backfat at 475 days.
BIRTH WEIGHT (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
CALVING EASE (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on heifers.
CARCASS WEIGHT (CW): Pounds of carcass weight at 475 days.
STAYABILITY (STAY): Percent of daughters remaining in the cow herd at 6 years of age.
DOCILITY (DOC): Percent of offspring receiving a disposition score of 1 (docile).
MATERNAL CALVING EASE (MCE): Percent of unassisted births in first-calving daughters.
MILK (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
MARBLING (MARB): Carcass marbling score at 475 days.
MATERNAL WEANING WEIGHT (MWW): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk and growth.
RIBEYE AREA (REA): Square inches of carcass ribeye at 475 days.
TERMINAL INDEX (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-sire scenario. (See TI for more details.)
WEANING WEIGHT (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
YEARLING WEIGHT (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
YIELD GRADE (YG): Carcass yield grade score at 475 days.
$ INDEXES: Though EPDs allow for the comparison of genetic levels for many economically important traits, they only provide pieces of the economic puzzle. This is where $ indexes come in. Through well-conceived, rigorous mathematical computation, $ indexes blend EPDs and economics to estimate an animal’s overall impact on integrated commercial production. The same technology that led to the dramatic progress in swine, poultry and dairy genetics over the last several decades was used to develop the following $ indexes: ALL-PURPOSE INDEX (API): Evaluates sires for use on the entire cow herd (bred to both Angus first-calf heifers and mature cows) with the portion of their daughters required to maintain herd size retained and the remaining heifers and steers put on feed and sold grade and yield.
TERMINAL INDEX (TI): Evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows with all offspring put on feed and sold grade and yield.
USING API AND TI: First, determine which index to use; if you are keeping replacements use API, if not, use TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit difference between bulls. (As described above, index units are in dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another. Put another way, how much you can pay for one bull compared to another. For example, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, you can quickly figure a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a +50 bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr.=$6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed.
For more detailed information about EPDs and $indexes, visit: www.simmental.org Important disclaimer: DO NOT compare index values of purebreds of different breeds, hybrids of different breed composition or purebreds with hybrids - our system was not developed to make valid comparison among these groups. Therefore, you must first determine the breed and breed composition appropriate for your herd and use index values to compare animals within that population.
