Performance Line

As I write this, it’s hard to believe we are almost halfway done with 2022. With historically high corn, diesel, and fertilizer prices, as well as volatile weather throughout the country, it is a particularly challenging time in the cattle industry. Global political concerns, coupled with high inflation, have left many of us wondering what the future will hold and how to determine the best course forward for our families and operations.

By now, hopefully most of you are wrapping up planting and breeding. Before you know it, harvest and weaning will be upon us. This spring marked the completion of my 10th year with NALF, and I can honestly say I have never been more excited for the future of this breed than I am right now.

The National Junior Limousin Show and Congress in Amarillo is here, and with it comes the introduction of a new show: the Neogen Ultimate Show. This is an incredible opportunity not only for exhibitors to obtain genomically-enhanced EPDs on their animals at no cost, but also to relay the importance of genotype alongside phenotype. We are hoping this will serve as an educational event

by Alison Jones NALF Director of DNA Processing & Accounting Operations for all participants and spectators. The judge will rank these animals based 50% on genotype and 50% on phenotype. The first question you may ask: Why genomically test cattle in the first place? When DNA information is available on an animal through genomic testing, the accuracy of EPDs is improved. Genomic testing, combined with pedigree, performance and progeny data will help provide the best estimate of an animal’s genetic merit as a parent. With increased costs in today’s market, genomics can provide a quicker way to add information about the genetic potential of an animal. For example, you have a newly weaned bull calf that shows potential based on his pedigree and conformation. Genomically enhancing his EPDs would be the same as adding over 25 calving records, 22 birth weights, and over 25 weaning and yearling weights on his progeny. We would even have equivalents of stayability records on 15 of his daughters, all before he has ever bred a cow. Prior to genomic DNA technology, we did not have a way to measure the productivity of a bull until his first calf crop was weaned. Now, with testing, combined with reporting phenotypic data, we can potentially save high input

WULFS HAT TRICK 7183H

Morris, MN Office: 320.392.5802 Casey Fanta: 320.288.6128 www.wulfcattle.com

Ron Garrison Osceola, MO 417.838.1872

LIMITED SEMEN PACKAGES AVAILABLE

PUREBRED(100/88.9) HOMO POLLED (T) 4/2/2020 • NPM2289534 S: WULF COBRA D: WULFS ELIZA 7183E MGS: HUNT CREDENTIALS 37C ET ACT. BW: 90 • ADJ. WW: 764 ADJ. YW: 1423 • ADJ. SC: 40.9 ADJ. REA: 16.18 • ADJ. IMF: 1.93

EPD RANK CD BW WW YW MK CM SC DC YG CW RE MB $MI

12 2.1 87 133 26 6 1.6 13 -0.42 18 0.82 0.01 60 35 70 2 2 15 50 1 55 80 75 95 10 3

Wulfs Hat Trick 7183H was the Top-Selling Lot at the Wulf Cattle Production Sale at $66,000. He combines a notable pedigree, a balanced EPD profile and eye-catching phenotype. His impressive 205-day-weight combines with top EPDs for WW. YW, TM, SC, MB and $MI. He is a paternal brother to Wulfs Genius 5293G, the top-selling lot in the 2020 Wulf Sale. Phenotypically, Hat Trick is heavy structured and level topped with extra muscle expression and one of the largest scrotal measurements Wulf’s have ever recorded on a purebred bull! When set into motion, he is free moving off both ends of his skeleton and sets down on a large foot. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in this remarkable individual.

costs on an animal that will not meet your seedstock requirements.

With advancements in DNA technology, if we can know more about an animal that could add to our bottom line, why not test? It is important to identify where your herd excels, and where there is room for improvement. A heifer that comes back with a lower WW EPD than we would expect does not make her a bad heifer, but instead suggests that mating her to a calving-ease bull that also has above average growth numbers could improve her progeny for growth traits. On the other hand, a balanced set of numbers will not matter on a bull that is not sound enough to get around the pasture to breed cows. Look at genetics as another tool available to you to market your cattle. By finding the balance between phenotype and genotype, you can help better meet the demands of your customers.

Remember, genomic testing does not take the place of reporting actual weights and measurements!

As we move forward, genomics is the way of the future in the seedstock industry. Herds that have genomically-enhanced all their females and replacement heifers can see faster progress. This show is a unique opportunity for our youth to be introduced to the world of genomics, and I could not be more excited for that. I encourage you to ask questions and explore the resources available to you.

I am very much looking forward to seeing many of you in Amarillo, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years hold for this breed!

Thank You...

for the tremendous acceptance of our genetics in our most recent sale.

THANK YOU TO THESE BUYERS

4H Limousin Brad Kidd Brent Yarski Byron Evans Cole Atkinson Heiskell Winstead Joseph Moore Josh Winslow Mike Cunningham Minor Limousin Pinegar Limousin Tadd Thomas Wayne Hodges Wesley Hornback Zach Snyder

We appreciate all those who supported our program and saw the value in the genetics we offered. We are planning another event this fall featuring some of our most prized genetics.

Watch for details on our fall sale. We welcome your call or visit anytime.

JIMMY & CATHY BYERS • DAVID, BEVERLY, ALEAH & ABBI BYERS GRAY, TENNESSEE davidbyers772890@gmail.com (423) 963-2744 David • (423) 817-1796 Jimmy These donors are making it happen at Cross Creek Farm. They are at the forefront of our program being flushed to ATNF Higher Revenue, Conley Express, Silveiras Style and ELCX Kings Landing 599 D.

AUTO Harp 217H

50% Lim-Flex • Polled • Homo Black Silveiras Style 9303 x AUTO Fedora

AUTO Solo 419E

75% Lim-Flex • Homo Polled • Homo Black Riverstone Crown Royal x AUTO April 202A

AUTO Fly Girl 252F

79% Limousin • Polled • Homo Black MAGS Aviator x AUTO Luckie Too 423Y

ELCX Elevate 684E

62% Lim-Flex • Homo Polled • Homo Black EF Xcessive Force x DFLC HBHPC 1S