Welcome
FELLOW CATTLEMEN,
This year marks the 11th annual Cattlemen’s Choice sale, and along with everyone else in the cattle business, we could not be any more excited. The market is setting records every day, it seems, and there is definitely a spread between great genetics and run-of-the-mill genetics. We are proud to offer you this year’s set of bulls and a greater number of registered females to choose from, along with a group of spring-bred commercial females that have made a reputation for themselves. Although we have an annual sale each year, rest assured, it takes multiple years of planning to make it all come together each year, from trying to predict where the industry is going to what our customers’ desires are for their next herd sire to the mating decisions that take to get those animals to fit that mold. Genetics is the foundation of our cow herd. By saying that, I’m not only talking about the DNA of an animal but the complete package of Big D’s cattle. We often get asked, “What makes us different from other seedstock suppliers?” So I’ll take a minute to try to explain our viewpoint. For four generations, we have bred cattle to excel in livestock markets, all the while knowing what we needed in our retained females to work in harmony with Mother Nature and the land in central Arkansas. My wife and I have taken on the demanding role as the fifth generation of my family’s operation and began our journey as Big D Ranch in the seedstock side of the industry 25 years ago. We did not want to lose sight of what has brought our family all this way, since settling this land in the 1800s. One key component that sets us apart from most seed stock suppliers is that my family’s sole source of income comes from our cattle herd. That does not make us any better or worse than other suppliers; it simply makes us look at genetics, dollar inputs, and ROI differently than most. Our cattle must be profitable at as many turns as possible, or we simply do not exist, and that is not an option, being a multi-generational operation. The cattle must be sound from the feet up, with an udder structure that does not require assistance in any way. They must produce an adequate amount of milk to raise a healthy, large calf, but not produce too much that they don’t breed back. The bulls must be structurally sound to cover ground and aggressive enough to seek out females that are in heat and complete their jobs. A bull that lies in the shade all day does not earn a paycheck. Resulting caves from the mattings must be visually attractive while maintaining carcass, feeding, and be of superior quality replacements. Our cattle might not be recognized on the show circuit or talked about for generating millions in revenue from single animal sales, but the overall completeness that we demand of the cattle is the reason for our unparalleled genetics in this business, and the reason they have kept us profitable enough to stand the test of time. They are the backbone of Big D Ranch. We look at them like factory workers producing a superior product; we’ll give them the resources to produce, but if they don’t, a hamburger is the alternative. We are overly excited about Ben and Isabella showing tremendous interest in welcoming the role of the 6th generation in the future and becoming more and more involved in the decision-making that takes place regarding land and genetics. As you can see, we are deeply rooted in family and heritage. We also take great pride in creating avenues for the seasoned and the next generation of cattle producers to not only take advantage of our generations of breeding cattle, but also we’ve developed programs to help support our customers through AI programs and bull management after the sale. We believe in the importance of being involved, whether it’s in the legislative process, the mentoring process, or just leading by example as an avenue to protect our way of life for future beef-producing generations. We are looking forward to this year’s sale and hope you can join us Friday night for an authentic Italian spaghetti and sausage dinner with all the fixings in a family-style setting before an exciting Saturday sale filled with fun, genetics, and cattle that will keep your program at the forefront of profitability. - The DeSalvo Family
Sale
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Cattle Available For Viewing Starting October 23, 2025
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
7:00 PM Authentic Italian spaghetti and sausage dinner served family style
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025
8:30 AM Coffee & Donuts
11:30 AM Lunch
1:00 PM Sale Time
SALE LOCATION
173 Miller Lane, Center Ridge, Arkansas 72027
SALE CONTACTS
Phillip DeSalvo 501-208-6119
Garrett Thomas 936-714-4591
Ben DeSalvo 501-208-2668
PROGRESSIVE PARTNER
Kirby Cattle Company, Josh Kirby 870-997-7865 - Magnolia, Arkansas
BRED COMMERICAL HEIFERS
Lee Harris 870-291-0369
AUCTIONEER
Clint Hunter
RINGMEN
Clint Cunningham
Brad Sosebee
SPECIAL GUEST
706-781-8656
HERD HEALTH
All cattle have been inspected for health and fertility by our veterinarian, are current with annual vaccinations and come with interstate health papers. All bulls have passed a BSE within 30 days of sale.
BREEDING GUARANTEE
(A) All animals are guaranteed to be breeders with the exception of (1) injury or disease occurring after sale; (2) negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the purchaser. (3) death by any reason. (B) Any bull which either (1) produces viable semen (2) settles 1/3 or more of the healthy cows he serves; (3) is the sire of 20 or more animals or; (4) settles cows by natural service and passes a fertility test made by a competent veterinarian during a six-month trial period, shall be considered a breeder. (C) Safe in calf females have been examined by competent personnel and are so guaranteed. (D) Open females have not been served and are so guaranteed.
GENETIC LOT GUARANTEE
Where a guarantee is offered on an embryo package or from a flush, the flush and transfers must be performed by a licensed embryologist. Where a guarantee for specific number of pregnancies is offered, the determination of pregnancy or lack of, must be performed and documented by a licensed embryologist or veterinarian. The buyer has one (1) year, until the 2025 Big D Ranch Sale to request one (1) embryo replacement. Should the guaranteed number of pregnancies not be achieved within the initial offering, an equivalent number of embryos will be provided at the seller’s expense. Should the second attempt not deliver the guaranteed results, the buyer will be offered a prorated refund for the number of embryos that were not delivered. The buyer will retain the embryos produced.
TERMS OF SALE
Kyle Caldwell, IBBA Field Services & Strategic Projects
TRUCKING OPTIONS
Trucking will be available at the sale, please contact Sales Management for more information and free trucking options for registered bulls or registered females.
HOTELS
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES
- 501-215-4924 • Morrilton, Arkansas
SUPER 8 HOTEL
- 501-242-5921 • Morrilton, Arkansas
All terms are cash or check. Settlement must be made to the clerk at the conclusion of the auction. Each animal will be sold to the highest bidder. The auctioneer in charge will settle any disputes as to bids. Big D Ranch reserves the right to retain possession on one or more bulls from this offering and reserves the right to retain breeding/semen revenue interest on select bulls. This selection will be made available on sale day. Buyers of yearling bulls have the option to take bulls home day of sale or leave bulls purchased at the Big D Ranch for $150/ month. If bulls stay at Big D Ranch until April, Big D can re-semen check for free. And all bulls will have an affidavit stating virgin bull status.
SALE MANAGED BY
BDR RAINMAKER 881M
Rainmaker is the herd sire we have been building towards since the very beginning. His sire, a maternal brother to the highly influential Boulder, who is backed by the foundation donor carrying the 889X4 brand. The bottom side of this impactful sire is backed by a female who traces back to R532, a bull that was used as a maternal base at SVF. On paper, his EPD profile matches his measurables that indicate he should be heifer safe and a big-time carcass improver. Don’t miss one of the big impact sires offered this fall!
The 205 cow family is no stranger to the front end of the Big D offering each year. Candy man is by any definition one of the power bulls in the offering. His elite growth traits, massive ribeye and high end index figures make him a true herd sire candidate.
This ultra black SAV Jesse James son is a calving ease prospect backed by the historic 889 cow family. His striking look starts with his extra level hip and strong topline. From there, his perfect sheath design and trim front third should put him on everyone’s short list to see on sale day.
BDR IGNITE 000M
REGISTERED BRANGUS & ULTRA BLACK BULLS
4.8
BIG TOWN 1420M
THUNDERSTRUCK 81M
We chose to lead off the fall yearlings with the red bull that has set the internet on fire. We have selectively invested in red genetics and we believe the dam of Thunderstuck is truly one of the unique females within the red Brangus population. His design and functionality are impossible to deny. He sets down with plenty of flexibility and from there he expands into a massive ribcage. Red breeders book your hotels early, he is worth the trip to Center Ridge.
Lot LOT 34
This pedigree combines two of the most proven individuals in the IBBA registry. If you’re wanting to add growth while taking out the guesswork, then you can lean on this genetic combination with confidence.
Lot LOT 33
Every year a Monument son makes their way to the picture pen, backed by a donor this big number bull carries the 1420 brand. He combines growth and carcass in a phenotypical package that is sure to sire the front pasture kind.
BDR SENSEI 7M3
BDR BIG NASTY 70M2
Lot 42 BDR BIG NASTY 77M
LOT 52 LOT 53
MC MS PRIME TIME 468J11
This full sister to MC A Plus 468J24 has quickly positioned herself as a vital piece of the Big D breeding program. A direct daughter of MC Ms Slick 468E22 – past high seller who now walks the pasture at Grassy Lake Cattle Company. This Prime Plus sired female offers an EPD profile that can elevate any mating. Her blend of calving ease and growth coupled with her top 1% ranking for IMF allows her to share rare company within the IBBA registry. This 468 branded female is elite in her phenotype, long and level with a powerful rib design and maternal build.
Selling the right to one IVF aspiration guaranteeing a minimum of 8 embryos with a cap of 12. The use of sexed semen will void this guarantee. Any embryos produced in excess of 12 will be the possession of Big D Ranch and Big D Ranch will pay any cost associated with freezing, transferring, and/or storing those embryos.
Lot 76 BDR MISS AMERICA 303L
Let’s start with this… she is SOLID red. On picture day we cleaned this female up and she wasn’t quite dry when she arrived to the picture pen. Past that she is one of the high end red females offered this fall. As a CEO daughter, she offers instant credibility worldwide. The 303 cow family here at Big D is about as consistent as any here in Center Ridge. Her full brother was the 2024 high selling bull here commanding $22,000 through the ring. A maternal sister BDR Rosemary 303K5 is one the cornerstone pieces of our red program. This big numbered red female is poised to become a household name in the Brangus breed.
Sells open and ready to flush! Averaging 14 embryos per flush.
The CEO daughter seems to never go out of style. This
I know everyone says this, but it’s true in this instance when I say this one is hard to turn loose of. One of our best daughters from 889X4, this Big Cat daughter is a sight to see. On paper she offers an EPD profile and pedigree that allows for an excessive amount of breeding flexibility. Phenotypically she is so attractive from the side while still offering a unique amount of power and substance. Her track record through the ring supports her value as she has produced an $8750 son and a $7000 in our 2023 sale. Don’t miss her extra fancy heifer calf at her side…she’s got show ring potential. Sells open and ready to flush. Averaging 12 embryos per flush.
LESLIE 201J2
AI’ed to GKB Out Front 313L4 on 5/7/2025, Pasture exposed to BDR Sensei 1420K3 from 5/14/2025 til 7/15/2025 - This Mufasa daughter offers an outcross pedigree with proven production. This mating to our new herd sire from GKB offers big time marketing options. Her heifer calf at her side blends power and maternal strength in an ultra show package.
BDR MS TEN SPEED 889G3
Lot LOT 79A
Another proven donor within this powerful offering. We found the SAV Ten Speed mating to 889X4 to be one of the most consistent and predictable. In 2023 she sold a herdsire for $8500, and many believe this heifer calf at her side might be her best yet. This 889 branded female offers calving ease, growth, milk and carcass; very few can post a top 15% Milk and top 10% IMF epd. - Sells open and ready to flush. Averaging 10 embryos per flush
PHN:
BDR BENQUISTO SARA 2G
Reg #: UB10427904 PHN: 2G DOB: 2019-02-09 Polled Gen: 1 UB1
AI’ed to GKB Out Front 313L4 on 5/7/2025, Pasture exposed to BDR Sensei 1420K3 from 5/14/2025 til 7/15/2025 - These SAV Ten Speed daughters have been some of the most productive around here. Stacking the SAV genetics on the 2 cow family has resulted in this extra fertile, consistently early calving, UB1 female.
SARA 2H16
AI’ed to SAV Resource 1441 on 5/7/2025, Pasture exposed to BDR Sensei 1420K3 from 5/14/2025 til 7/15/2025 - A direct daughter to foundation female 2Z. This Monument daughter posts a negative birthweight and has a production record to back that data up. Her SAV Rainfall daughter is a rising star here and should make her way to the donor pen soon.
SARA
BDR BENQUISTO SARA 2J
Reg #: UB10488169 PHN: 2J DOB: 2021-01-22 Polled Gen: 1 UB2
918Y3
3022
AI’ed to LM Epic 803G11 on 5/7/2025, Pasture exposed to BDR Sensei 1420K3 from 5/14/2025 til 7/15/2025 - Big scan data on this Business Line daughter who ranks among the breed leaders for REA. It’s no surprise that at yearling she scanned a massive 12.68 ribeye. In our 2024 sale, her son sold for $5000 and she has another powerful prospect in this year’s offering.
BDR BENQUISTO SARA 2J10
111F4
Pasture exposed to BDR Bohannon 889H from 5/8/2025 til 7/15/2025 - A Big Lake daughter with a striking look!! Another direct daughter of the 2Z donor and you’ll see why we kept going to the well with the 2Z daughters. They are consistent dollar generating cattle and this flush was by all accounts her very best. The 2Z cow consistently gave nearly 50 conventional embryos.
Lot 86 BDR MISSY 4J13
Reg #: UB10488243 PHN: 4J13 DOB: 2021-03-26 Polled Gen: 2 UB1
Lot
87
BDR ISABELLA 89K3
Reg #: UB10531643 PHN: 89K3 DOB: 2022-09-10 Polled Gen: 2 UB1
S A V TEN SPEED 3022
MC MS EXTRAVAGANT 889X4
BDR HUMMER 4F7
Pasture exposed to BDR Rainmaker 881M and GKB Out Front 313L4 from 4/26/2025 til 7/15/2025 - The only Range Rover daughter in the offering and she should be on everyone’s short list to see. Her big time scan data and EPD profile indicate herd sire production in her future. Get in early on these Range Rover daughters - they will be hard to get down the road.
Pasture exposed to BDR Rainmaker 881M and GKB Out Front 313L4 from
- The Big Town daughter has served as the foundation of so many programs over the years. Their collective production records are impressive to say the least. Her daughter sells as lot 95 and will no doubt have
BDR LESLIE 201K4
BDR MS QUARTERBACK 541J10
Pasture exposed to BDR Bohannon 889H from 5/8/2025 til 7/15/2025 - It’s no surprise this SAV Quarterback daughter tops the charts for growth and carcass. This full sister to our herd sire 541J8 brings real value. Her scan data shows that she brings genuine red meat and in IMF measurement of over 6. Year after year she brings high end sons to the bull sale that are sought after by our commercial customers.
Lot 91 BDR MS BIG TOWN 586K
Pasture exposed to BDR Rainmaker 881M and GKB Out Front 313L4 from 4/26/2025 til 7/15/2025 - The 586 cow family has been a main stay around here for quite some time. Big Town x Resource has been a go to mating for Big D. This big scanning
son in this year’s offering – all the guess work
MS BIG TOWN 586K9
Open - This will be the first progeny from our 541J8 bull, and he did not disappoint in his first calf crop. The maternal made 7 cow family is loaded with fertility and longevity.
BDR MS BIG TEX 129M2
Open - This female was certainly one of the favorites on picture day. She’s the moderate, easy keeping kind with a negative BW EPD and top 25% rankings for both REA and IMF. It’s been said that the 129 cow family consistently delivers the goods, and this one only supports that statement.
MS
SENSEI 201M6
Reg #: UB10581103 PHN: 201M6 DOB:
- The first calves out of our Big Tex son we acquired from Mid South are finally coming to
Open - The 541 cow family brings another standout to the offering. Another 329J48 daughter who is built for longevity and stayability. Backed by an SAV Quarterback dam, she is sure to have plenty of fertility.
Open - The BDR McQueen 889J6 book ends this sale with the
Commercial FEMALES
Here at Big D, we strive to bring our customers the very best in quality, when it comes to the cattle offering no matter if it’s registered or commercial. This year’s offering of commercial females is second to none.
Lee Harris of Melbourne AR is bringing in 40 head of big fancy Connealy Angus stacked pedigree heifers AI bred to BDR All In 000L7 on May 29, 2025 and cleaned up with Big D Brangus calving ease bulls for 45 days.
Mr. Harris and the Connealy family have the same mentality as we do, that a female must perform under any conditions, stay sound, breed back on time, bring a heavy calf to the weaning pen, and do it all as efficiently as possible.
Matt and Jon Carter from Batesville, AR will have 15 head super fancy Big D Ranch Ultrablack and Brangus commercial bred heifers. These girls were with the BDR Monument 541H5 brangus bull from June 1, 2025, til August 15, 2025. The genetics behind these girls are Big D breeding on top and bottom for generations.
(doramectin and levamisole injection)
(5 mg/mL doramectin, 150 mg/mL levamisole hydrochloride)
CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
INDICATIONS:
VALCOR™ is indicated for the treatment and control of the following species of parasites in beef cattle two months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. Not for use in beef bulls intended for breeding over 1 year of age, dairy calves, and veal calves.
Gastrointestinal Roundworms (adults and fourth stage larvae): Ostertagia ostertagi (including inhibited larvae), O. lyrata, Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. longispicularis*, Cooperia oncophora, C. pectinata*, C. punctata, C. surnabada, Bunostomum phlebotomum*, Strongyloides papillosus*, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Trichuris spp.*, Nematodirus helvetianus*. Lungworms (adults and fourth stage larvae): Dictyocaulus viviparus. Eyeworms (adults): Thelazia spp. Grubs (parasitic stages): Hypoderma bovis, H. lineatum. Sucking Lice: Haematopinus eurysternus, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus. Mange Mites: Psoroptes bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei. *Adults only WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:
WITHDRAWAL PERIODS AND RESIDUE WARNINGS: Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 15 days following last treatment with this drug product. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows or heifers. Not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves.
User Safety Warnings:
Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children. If accidental eye contact occurs, flush eyes immediately with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. If wearing contact lenses, flush eyes immediately with water before removing lenses then continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes. Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling the product. Wash hands after use. Take care to avoid accidental self-injection. If accidental injection occurs, seek medical attention and provide product package insert to medical professional. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet(s), contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471 or www.zoetis.com.
Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions:
Use of levamisole in cattle treated in the last few days with cholinesterase inhibitors such as organophosphates or with morantel may enhance the toxic effects of levamisole. Use together with caution.
Destruction of Hypoderma larvae (cattle grubs) at the period when these grubs are in vital areas may cause undesirable host-parasite reactions including the possibility of fatalities. Killing H. lineatum when it is in the tissue surrounding the gullet may cause bloat; killing H. bovis when it is in the vertebral canal may cause staggering or paralysis. These reactions are not specific to treatment with VALCOR™ and can occur with any successful treatment of grubs. Cattle should be treated either before or after these stages of grub development. Consult your veterinarian concerning the proper time for treatment. Follow recommended dosage carefully. Reproductive safety has not been evaluated in bulls intended for breeding.
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
This product is likely to cause swelling at the injection site. Tissue damage at the injection site may also occur, including possible granulomas and necrosis. These reactions have resolved without treatment. Local tissue reaction may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. A single death attributed to clostridial infection associated with the injection of VALCOR™ was reported in a nonpivotal effectiveness study. Observe cattle for injection site reactions. If injection site reactions are suspected, consult your veterinarian. This product is not for intravenous or intramuscular use. Hypersalivation may be observed; however, this reaction will disappear within a few hours. If this condition persists, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Contact Information:
Contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471 or www.zoetis.com. To report suspected adverse drug experiences, contact Zoetis Inc. at 1-888-963-8471. For additional information about reporting adverse drug experiences for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.
TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY:
Margin of Safety: Subcutaneous administration of VALCOR™ was well tolerated in calves as young as 3 months of age at 1, 2, or 3 times the recommended dose. Dose-dependent post-dose hypersalivation was seen in all treated groups compared to the controls. All cases of hypersalivation were mild, transient, and resolved without further medical intervention. Dose-related injection site reactions were observed, and those in the 1X group resolved between 21 and 28 days post injection. Injection site reactions were primarily swelling which resolved between 21 and 28 days post injection. Findings from the injection sites included swelling, edema, inflammation, muscle necrosis and fibrosis.
Female Reproductive Safety: The reproductive safety of VALCOR™ was established in two studies with female cattle. First, a single dose of VALCOR™ was administered subcutaneously at 3 times the recommended dose at times coinciding with folliculogenesis, implantation, or organogenesis, and had no effects on conception, calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates, and post-natal viability up to 30±2 days post-calving. There were no congenital abnormalities. The only test article-related change was an increase in incidence and duration of swelling at injection sites compared with control, but all swellings eventually resolved. In a second study, a single dose of VALCOR™ administered subcutaneously at 3 times the recommended dose at either early or late gestation had no effects on calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates, and post-natal viability up to 30±2 days post-calving. One control calf and two treated calves were born with congenital abnormalities and did not survive. These were not determined to be test article-related. The only test article-related change was an increase in incidence and duration of swelling at injection sites, but all swellings eventually resolved. Not for use in bulls intended for breeding over 1 year of age, as reproductive safety has not been evaluated.
HOW SUPPLIED: VALCOR™ is available in 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL multi-dose, rubber-capped glass vials.
STORAGE, HANDLING, AND DISPOSAL:
Store below 25°C (77°F). Do not expose to light for extended periods of time. Do not contaminate water by direct application or by improper disposal of drug containers. Dispose of containers in an approved landfill or by incineration.
Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-553
You can achieve effective parasite control in one product, where before you may have needed two. Valcor (doramectin and levamisole injection) is the first prescription cattle dewormer with two active ingredients in one dose. It’s never been easier to be tough. Get tough at ValcorTough.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle with Valcor within 15 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. Safety has not been evaluated in breeding bulls. Use with caution in cattle treated with cholinesterase inhibitors. This product is likely to cause injection site swelling; tissue damage (including granulomas and necrosis) may occur. These reactions have resolved without treatment. See brief summary of Prescribing Information attached.
Your Mineral Program, Made Smarter.
From foundation nutrition to intake-controlled performance, we’ve got your herd covered.
Stockmaster® Minerals
Targeted mineral nutrition for every phase of beef production Stockmaster® Minerals are formulated to deliver consistent, balanced nutrition for cattle on pasture or in confinement. With optimal levels of calcium, phosphorus, trace minerals, and vitamins, Stockmaster® supports herd health, reproductive performance, and productivity year-round. Choose from a variety of specialized formulations designed for maintenance, breeding, and unique feeding programs to match your forage conditions and goals.
Copro Balancer 0.5–0.75 Bovtech 800
A concentrated solution for balanced performance Copro Balancer 0.5–0.75 Bovtech 800 is ideal for fortifying commodity-based rations, especially those high in coproducts. This concentrated formula provides essential vitamins and minerals often lacking in coproduct-heavy diets, supporting herd health and performance while allowing flexibility in ration design.
Beef Developer R100
Efficient growth with built-in intake control Beef Developer R100 helps developing cattle achieve consistent gains through precise intake management. Designed for hand-fed or self-fed systems. Intake modifying technology encourages steady feed consumption, improve efficiency, and supports daily performance in growing animals.
Pasture Maximizer
A flexible foundation for customized performance Pasture Maximizer is a blendable product designed for use with cracked corn or other grain mixes. It features limiter technology to regulate intake in self-fed systems, offering consistent nutrition tailored to your environment and animal stage. It provides flexibility and efficiency across diverse feeding programs and multiple growing cattle weights.
Try
own
We also offer custom bagged or bulk feed that is available upon request. Need feed delivered? We can do that too!
EPDExplanation
Registration Number: Bulls noted with “R” number are Registered Brangus. Those noted with a “UB” number are Ultra-Blacks, indicating they are a Brangus-Angus blend. Those noted as UB2 are second cross Ultrablacks. “AX” recorded bulls are appendix registered purebred Brangus that have non-typical Brangus color pattern.
Polled/Scurred/Horned: Denotes bulls that are either smooth polled or have the presence of scurs or slick spots. Those bulls noted as “scurs” typically have had scurs removed post-weaning. Horned bulls have presence or horns.
Genetic Conditions (GC): Indicates genetic condition status with “Free” indicating tested free or pedigree free of currently known genetic conditions. Prefixes noted with a “C” indicate that given animal carries a non-lethal recessive gene for that given condition.
INDIVIDUAL MEASURES
Birth Weight (Act. BW): Actual weight at birth, expressed in pounds.
Scrotal Circumference (Adj. SC): Testicular circumference, measured in centimeters, and adjusted to 365 days of age.
EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCE
Genomic Enhanced Expected Progeny Difference (GE-EPD): The genetic predictor of how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in the breed database. These EPDs through DNA technology are genomically enhanced for more reliability and higher accuracy levels.
Percentile Ranks: Ranks each given GE-EPD trait against the breed population for non-parent animals, active sires or active dams and expressed as a percentage ranking in that population. As an example, 1% is higher than 50%.
GE-EPD Accuracy: Since all bulls selling in this catalog are non-parent, their accuracies are the lowest calculated by our national sire evaluation program.
Heifer Pregnancy (H Preg): Predicts the probability that a female will have a calf as a two-year-old. Expressed as a % with the higher number more desirable.
Stayability (Stay): Measures the probability that a cow will still be in the herd at six years of age. With the higher number being more desirable.
Terminal Index (Term): Evaluates a sire for use on mature cows with all offspring put on feed and sold in a terminal end point scenario. The higher the number, the more desirable.
Fertility Index (Fert): Developed for cattle raised in a general-purpose production system to produce reproductively sound replacement females or bulls that will sire reproductively sound replacement females.
Calving Ease Direct (CED): Expressed as a percentage and indicates the influence of the animal on calving ease in females calving at 2 years of age. The higher the number the more desirable for calving ease.
Weaning Weight EPD (WW): Expressed in pounds, is a predictor of an animal’s ability to transmit weaning growth to its progeny.
Yearling Weight EPD (YW): Expressed in pounds, is a predictor of an animal’s ability to transmit yearling growth to its progeny.
Milk EPD (Milk): Predicts a sire’s genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of other sires. In other words, it is that part of a calf’s weaning weight attributed to milk.
Total Maternal EPD (TM): Expressed in pounds, a genetic predictor of weaning weight by blending a combination of maternal milk and weaning weight value.
Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC): Measured in centimeters at a yearling time, predicts testicular size.
Ribeye Area (REA): Expressed in square inches, is a predictor of transmitting ability of ribeye size and overall muscle mass which is a key component in USDA yield grades.
Intramuscular Fat (IMF): Expressed as a percentage, is a predictor of transmitting ability for marbling or intra-muscular fat correlating to USDA quality grade at harvest time.
GE-EPD VALUES & PARENT VERIFICATION ( PV • SV • DV • )
By sale time we will have a complete set of GE-EPD values for every bull and it will be noted on a supplement sheet. Nearly every bull has current GE-EPD values and more than 90% of the females have current GE-EPD values. Every animal in the sale will be sire verified and if something is missing this will also be noted on sale day supplement sheets.
MULTIPLE SIRES IN OUR BREEDING HERD
Most of our females have been naturally exposed with two natural service sires. We continue to determine the viability of profitability of running multiple sires during breeding season and then DNA calves for sire determination. Interesting and continuing project to determine which particular sire in a given group has the desire and ability to rule his pasture. The resulting natural service sired calves from these sale females will have to have DNA samples sent to labs for sire verification.
CONDITIONS Terms &
1. TERMS All cattle are cash or check. Settlement must be made to the clerk at the conclusion of the auction. Each animal will be sold to the highest bidder. The Auctioneer in charge will settle any disputes as to bids. Big D Ranch reserves the right to retain possession on one or more bulls and/ or females from this offering and reserves the right to retain breeding/ semen revenue interest on select bulls/females. This selection will be made available on sale day.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS Any changes from the information of any kind in this catalog will be provided in a sale day supplement sheet or announced from the auction block and such announcements shall take precedence.
3. PURCHASER’S RISK: LIABILITY Anyone previewing the cattle and or attending the sale does so at their own risk. Neither Big D Ranch, nor its employees, or anyone associated with the management of the sale will be held liable for injury to attendees or to purchased animals. The responsibility for sold animals passes to the buyer when the auctioneer says “sold”. Big D Ranch will make every reasonable effort to ensure the safe handling of purchased cattle until they are loaded.
4. HEALTH Health papers suitable for interstate shipment will be available on all animals.
5. BREEDING GUARNATEE (A) All animals are guaranteed to be breeders with the exception of (1) injury or disease occurring after the sale; (2) negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the purchaser. (3) death by any reason. (B) Any bull which either (1) produces viable semen (2) settles 1/3 or more of the healthy cows he serves; (3) is the sire of 20 or more animals or; (4) settles cows by natural service and passes a fertility test made by a competent veterinarian during any six month trial period, shall be considered a breeder. (C) Safe in calf females have been examined by competent personnel and are so guaranteed. (D) Open females have not been served and are so guaranteed.
6. PREGNANCY DETERMINATION The females in this sale noted safe in calf have been determined pregnant by a physical palpation or ultrasound technology. Our best estimate of service sire will be given in the case of females with A.I. sire and natural breeding sire.
7. OPTIONS AND PRIVILEGES OF RETURN ADJUSTMENT (A) All claims for adjustment must be made within six months of the sale date. (B) Any animal that has not proven itself a breeder within the time limits specified above, if in healthy condition, may be returned to the seller at buyer’s expense. The seller reserves the right and privilege of trying for a period of six months to prove the animal a breeder. If proven a breeder, the animal will be returned at the buyer’s expense. Should the animal fail to breed, the seller will provide a replacement animal with another of equal or greater quality. If a replacement animal is not available when needed, a credit will be issued toward your next purchase at Big D Ranch. (C) Any animal returned must have a veterinarian’s certificate that it is healthy and free of Bangs, Tuberculosis and Trichomoniasis.
8. TRUCKING Livestock transportation will be available.
9. SIGHT UNSEEN PURCHASES If you can’t make it to the sale, we will do our best to represent the cattle to you. Please call to discuss your needs. For cattle purchased sight unseen the buyer has the right of inspection at the time of pick up or delivery.
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