TI: Terminal Index (Simmental) – Evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows with all offspring put on feed and sold on a grade and yield basis. BMI$: Baldy Maternal Index (Hereford) – An index to maximize profit for commercial cow/calf producers who use Hereford bulls in rotational crossbreeding programs on Angus-based cows and heifers. Retained ownership of calves is assumed, with fed cattle marketed on a Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB) pricing grid. CEZ$: Calving EZ Index (Hereford) – Similar to BMI$, except Hereford bulls are mated only to yearling heifers. Increased emphasis on CE and MCE compared with the other index BII$: Brahman Influence Index (Hereford) – This index is similar to BMI$, except Hereford bulls are used in rotational crossing with Brahman rather than Angus. Greater emphasis placed on traits deficient in Brahman-cross cattle, (fertility and age at puberty) and less on acceptable traits (growth and calving ease). CHB$: Certified Hereford Beef Index (Hereford) – A terminal sire index where Hereford bulls are mated to British-cross cows and all offspring are sold as fed cattle on a CHB pricing grid.
SIRE INFORMATION Genetic Defects In the last couple of years several genetic defects have been identified in Angus and other breeds, defects which include Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH), Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA), Developmental Duplication (DD) and Osteopetrosis (OS). It is important for A.I. companies to be vigilant concerning genetic defects as the opportunity to increase the frequency of these negative traits on the population can be significant. With bulls selling 50 to 100,000 units, a single carrier bull can widely spread a genetic problem. Genex has worked hard to ensure this does not happen. All Genex bulls listed in this directory have either been tested or are known free by pedigree for the major genetic defects unless otherwise stated. AM: Arthrogryposis Multiplex “Curly Calf” – A recessive lethal mutation resulting from gene deletion causing abnormal development in utero. CA: Contractural Arachnodactyly “Fawn Calf” – An inherited simple recessive mutation resulting from gene deletion causing reduced elasticity of the connective tissue of muscle. D2: Dwarfism – A recessive mutation on a single chromosome resulting in a specific strain of dwarfism. DD: Developmental Duplication – The majority of calves exhibiting DD are born with additional limbs, usually duplication of the front legs and originating from the neck or shoulder region. HY: Hypotrichosis “Hairlessness” – A recessive mutation resulting in partial to almost complete lack of hair on calves. IE: Idiopathic Epilepsy – A simple recessive gene resulting in a neurological disorder causing seizures. MA: Alpha–Mannosidosis – An inherited and lethal lysosomal storage disease noticed prior to animals reaching sexual maturity; present signs of severe progressive neurological disease. NH: Neuropathic Hydrocephalus “Water Head” – A lethal recessive mutation within a gene involved in development and maintenance of central nervous system tissue.
OS: Osteopetrosis “Marble Bone Disease” – A lethal mutation in a gene necessary for bone remodeling during development causing premature birth. PHA: Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca – A lethal recessive mutation resulting in underdeveloped lungs and fluid retention. TH: Tibial Hemimelia – A lethal recessive mutation resulting in multiple congenital defects such as absence of the tibia and abdominal hernias. Heterozygous Polled – Polled bulls that carry one horned gene. May sire calves with horns when mated to cows carrying the horned gene. Homozygous Polled – Bulls with a 99.9 percent probability of being homozygous polled, having been DNA tested or testmated to horned and heterozygous polled cows. Expect these bulls to sire all polled calves. Inconclusive DNA test – Bull was tested, but the lab was unable to determine whether the animal is homozygous or heterozygous. Double Polled – Young, unproven sires whose parents are both polled. Heterozygous Black – Black bulls that carry one red gene. Expect 50 percent black calves when the bull is mated to nondiluted red cows. Homozygous Black – Bulls with a 99.9 percent probability of producing all black calves when mated to non–diluted red and black cows. Dilution Gene – Cattle carrying the dilution gene will be gray, red or yellow. Non–dilutor cattle will appear black or darker red.
CALVING EASE RATINGS Angus, Red Angus and Hereford PPPP Top 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight PPP Top 60 percent of the breed for low birth weight PP Above bottom 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight P Bottom 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight Simmental and Charolais PPPP Top 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight PPP Top 40 percent of the breed for low birth weight PP Above the bottom 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight P Bottom 10 percent of the breed for low birth weight ***Calving Ease Ratings take calving ease EPDs and accuracies into consideration.
BEEF STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS The Beef Genetics Staff provides recommendations based on observations of the bull’s progeny, as well as knowledge of the sires and dams in the pedigree. Information is only provided on bulls with progeny. Genex Quest Graduate – The Genex Quest Program is designed to collect performance and carcass data on Genex young sires from nationwide sources representing various types of operations. The Quest Graduate logo appears on sires that have excelled and graduated from the program.
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