Summer 2011 Beef Balance Magazine

Photo: Jeannine Hamilton

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SEMEX’S BEEF BALANCE

Jeannine Hamilton, Beef Support Specialist Semex prides itself on supplying its customers with the highest quality genetics and most advanced genetic tools. This ensures our customers are successful and profitable in the field, on the rail, in the show ring and on sale day.

This success is directly linked to Semex’s Balanced Breeding philosophy, emphasizing sire selection based on a balance of traits including structural soundness, functionality, efficiency, muscle, performance and maternal strength.

By following this guiding sire selection philosophy, developing new reproductive solutions and partnering with breeders worldwide, Semex ensures the continued success of our clients.

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In our summer issue of Beef Balance we take a look at the Semex reproductive solutions and tools, and with Fall 2011 EPDs scheduled for release later this summer, we thought it was a great time to review the ABCs of EPDs. Also featured in this issue: • 2 011 Semex Beef Photo Contest is now open; submit your best beef photos for a chance to win!

• Expo Léon 2011, Mexico • S EMEXX™, gender sorted beef semen •T he Search is on for Semex’s Biggest Fan! We hope you enjoy this summer issue and we look forward to continuing to work with you through 2011!

ANNOUNCING THE 2ND ANNUAL SEMEX BEEF PHOTO CONTEST!

We are looking for new and exciting beef photos to use in Semex promotions including posted, brochures, catalogues, websites and much more. So send in your beef photos today for a chance to win.

The winning photo will be featured in the 2012 Semex Beef Catalogue, which is sent to breeders all around the world.

Full Contest Rules, Term and Conditions at www.semex.com/di/beef Deadline: All entries must be received by September 30, 2011

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INVESTING MORE IN EACH DOSE

SEMEX R&D Patrick Blondin, PhD, Director of Research and Development, L’Alliance Boviteq

L’Alliance Boviteq is the Research & Development subsidiary of the Semex Alliance, based in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. Boviteq, as it is known, is currently leading a five-year research and development plan financed by Semex that covers five niches.

These projects are conducted with those involved in research at Boviteq including two veterinarians, eight PhDs, five MSc, two BSc and five with college diplomas, amassing a very talented staff.

Semen evaluation

Semen freezing

A.I. and gestation

Young bull

Sire care

Beyond microscopy

For Semex, it is imperative that the fertility of the semen that is being processed within its centers is known before it is sent out to the field. Currently, other AI centers worldwide apply various semen quality standards for fresh and frozen semen using basic microscopy. However, microscopy has its limits and cannot by itself predict the fertility of sperm before it is sent to the field.

To stay competitive on the national and international levels, Semex goes beyond microscopy: the key to this is flow cytometry. What is flow cytometry? As others have described, imagine it to be a lot like visiting a supermarket. Once you choose your goods, you take them to the cashier and place them on the counter. The salesperson will scan each item with a laser to read the barcode. Now picture in your mind the whole process automated. Replace shopping with biological cells and substitute the barcode with cellular markers … this is flow cytometry!

It is clear that additional diagnostic tools must be developed to better understand the differences between an ejaculate that is more or less fertile. Technologies that are being evaluated today will allow us to correct these differences. For Semex clients, this will help ensure a steady, consistent supply of our high quality product.

Using just a few straws, flow cytometry is capable of staining sperm with various markers (up to 12 simultaneously) where each marker furnishes important information on a specific physiological characteristic.

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The wealth of information provided with this technology permits a better evaluation of the quality and fertility of semen.

A semen ejaculate contains a heterogeneous sperm population.

Studying just one of the many cell parameters is usually insufficient to predict semen fertility since insemination depends on many factors. However, cytometry performs several tests simultaneously, evaluating semen fertility much more accurately than current microscope-based methods. With this information, centers decide to either reject the lot (diagnostics) due to suboptimal readings or work to correct any difference within the doses to assure the highest fertility.

In addition to flow cytometry, Boviteq is currently integrating recent innovations in the quantitative analysis of sperm motility parameters also known as CASA (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis).

CASA improves the accuracy of data collection and identifies what traditional microscopy may miss.

With the assistance of Boviteq, Semex is transferring these technologies to all Semex AI centers to further ensure semen quality assurance procedures.

In addition to its research projects, Boviteq has a highly regarded embryo transfer center that offers technological services to producers including assisted reproductive biotechnologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo flushing and freezing, genomic information from small embryo biopsies, and more. In this center, multiple researchers develop technologies that offer producers various solutions and opportunities for today’s female reproductive challenges.

SEMEXX™, Semex’s highly regarded sexed semen product is also produced at Boviteq at its multidisciplinary semen laboratory in which it manages its sexed semen laboratory, running six semen sorters 24 hours a day, seven

days a week, producing Semex’s SEMEXX™ product. There is also a research laboratory that develops various biotechnologies to produce semen of higher quality and fertility.

This work, and the Semex Gold Standard, continues our commitment to providing the highest quality product available today to our customers.

Other R&D niches Boviteq supervises for Semex are: •A nimal genomics – develop genomic tools to identify elite bulls and cows for producers •B ull calf nutrition – study the effects of different diets on bull calves during the first weeks of age on the quantity and quality of sperm produced at puberty •S emen proteins – identification of fertility proteins associated to bovine sperm that could be added back to semen from bulls of lower fertility •S emen extenders – develop innovative semen extenders to protect semen during the freezing process resulting in post-thaw fertile sperm •S exed semen – sexing semen from frozen sperm from any bull and use the sexed sperm in IVF to produce more female embryos •E mbryo genomics – develop technologies that would permit to apply genomic technology to embryos where the full genome of an embryo is revealed from the biopsy of a few cells

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Mexico,E

July & August Fall 2011 EPDs Released

AUGUST 10 Beef 2011: International Livestock Congress Calgary, AB, Canada

October October 8-10 Expo Boeuf, Victoriaville, QC, Canada October 8-15 World Angus Secretariat Technical Meeting 2011 Buenos Aires, Argentina

November November 4-6 Stockade Roundup Lloydminister, SK, Canada November 4-13 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Toronto, ON, Canada November 4-13 FarmFair, Edmonton, AB, Canada November 5-18 North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY, USA November 21-26 Canadian Western Agribition Regina, SK, Canada

December December 23 2012 Semex Beef Catalogue Released

The Search is on for Semex’s Biggest Fan See our website for more details

www.semex.com

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Expo Leon 2011 xico, ows in Me h s g in it c x stry’s e ssive and cattle indu e re p th im h it t s w o m ldest es best and o One of the itional valu e d a th tr f o s d e n n tory. o ble of rich his po Leon is x rs Expo Leon E a . e n y o 1 ti 7 a innov ith over lstein continued Mexico, w ational Ho N in s e w th o r h s fo nd this sing show beef cattle l Circuits a lo a c n e o ti th a to N t e os l Show. int Hors It also is h ds Nationa ter and Pa r e a re u B Q p e e e th h 14 S Circuit, r Terminal from January e s v d e n u t ro rs g fi ir a n State F pening year, the ce at the Leo ciating the o la ffi p o k o va li to O 1 l 1 e 0 u of land, Expo Leon 2 or Juan Man (2.47 acres) rn re ve o ta c G e h h it e w n 8, ated on o 00 sheep) to February ilities are loc lding up to 4 f the fastest c o fa (h e s h n T e p s. p ie ceremon is one o , 80 shee . This f cattle. Leon 0 horse stalls o 5 d e a d e lu h c 0 in e city centre 0 d 3 th an ly in te d a te a im c x at lo r appro nd means th fairgrounds a e n th o h si it and space fo n a w p , x o The e show’s e s in Mexic ed each day. growing citie tion does not allow for th it ib h x e s d e ca t bre n visitors. centralized lo e in stages, with differen over 5 millio d a h d c n la a p ls s a ited show take r 1,500 anim states, exhib ve x o si d g e n st ri o u h o Simmental, 2011 show s the neighb ds including to, as well a e a re ju b a f n e a e u b t G m n differen Breeders fro om over seve fr le mousin. tt a c l a n our of nvieh and Li u exceptio ra B s, u had the hon g n r, e A g d a e n R a s, M u Black Ang f Programs l Charolais the Nationa Alliance Bee f x o e n m o e ti S p e r, c a x rk Charolais with the e Myles Imme the Mexican reed shows, r b fo f e e e g b d e ju l th ia judging y the offic as judged b Show that w s Mena. ico since ynaldo Flore etics to Mex e n e R g , k d o e o c b n rd la etics and He ba ’s strong gen eted strong, x e rk a m e m S ly in d u st ro ve e breeders Semex has p ontinue to in ue to provid c n ti rs n e o d c e e re w b eding an phy, because Balanced Bre so 1982. Mexic ’s o x il e h P m e g S in d s. tic just a d Bree fitable gene ased on not ro b p s our Balance d re n si a t g n n ti ie d, effic undness, s on selec with balance structural so nal emphasi g io it in d d d lu a c s in e s c it la a . By Philosophy p balance of tr rnal strength te a a n m o r d e n a th e ra ut anc pply its single trait, b ciency, muscle, perform en able to su e b are s a ffi h e x , e ty m li ur customers hy, Se o p g functiona so n o ri il h su p n e g guidin genetics, following this ighest quality h e th ly n o h it mented customers w ar who com d profitable. n rk e a l m fu Im ss e e c g c d Ju ting both su as noted by ging visit, no w d th ju g st n la re st is h c eneti e world. ality since The cattle’s g ow ring in th the show qu sh in y t n n a e m in ve ll e ould do w on the impro n animals w io p m a h c e th that

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The Power of Ba 8

alanced Breeding 9

PUTTING SEMEX TO WORK IN YOUR HERD Semex understands the importance of genetics and reproductive efficiency in a herd, and we’re committed to providing cattlemen with the highest quality genetics and tools to ensure their herd’s profitability, efficiency and success. We do this through the execution of our high quality standards, our time-tested Balanced Breeding Philosophy and through continued research and innovation in genetic products.

Now available, these new and exciting Semex products give producers more control over their genetic success, placing their future in their hands.

Here’s a listing of new and exciting products available from Semex:

Global studies confirm that the greatest loss of income on any operation, whether it be a small family farm or a large synchronized commercial breeding program, are the expenses associated with non-pregnancy rates. Semex has a fertility solution called Repromix™. Repromix™ is a fertility solution for breeders who are looking for high fertility that will work well in large synchronization breeding programs. Repromix™ utilizes highly concentrated, pooled semen to help breeders maximize conception rates and therefore increase their herd’s profitability and efficiency. Semex has only selected genetically superior sires that offer a balance of calving ease, growth, muscle and maternal strength for our Repromix™ beef cocktails.

Available Repromix™ cocktails:

i. Repromix™ XII – Red Angus Red Bar-E- L Touch Down 100T w Red Ter-Ron Full Blast 120T w Red Champlain Serenade 2513P

ii. Repromix™ XV – Mixed Breed Peak Dot Explosion 99U w Posthaven Polled Urban Cowboy w PHS Polled Worldwide 14W

iii. Repromix™ XX – Black Angus Royal On Time DRCC 6059S w Bushs Coach 510 w Soo Line Grizzley 9034

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Semex’s Gender Sorted Semen In 2004, the Semex Alliance’s research and development arm, L’Alliance Boviteq, purchased their first sexing machine.

This machine utilized the reliable sperm sexing technology from XY Inc, a global biotechnology company located in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Since then, Boviteq’s team of scientists have worked hard to ensure that Semex’s sexed semen products are the very best on the market, growing to seven fulltime sexing machines!

Available SEMEXX™ Sires:

Black Angus:

Peak Dot Resolute– sexed male and female

Simmental:

Champs Bravo – limited sexed female

Semex is pleased to announce that we now offer sexed beef semen. Available in both sexed female and sexed male semen, this new product gives producers more control over their herd’s breeding program. Now, producers have the power to control both replacement female numbers as well as their next group of herd sires.

Limousin:

Posthaven Polled Urban Cowboy – sexed male

Shorthorn:

Shadybrook Powerplay 802U – sexed male and female

What makes SEMEXX™ different from other sexed semen products?

SEMEXX™ has been produced and tested to ensure it not only meets but exceeds the recommendations of XY Inc.

What is the selected gender ratio from sexed semen?

We can expect around 90%, meaning that out of 100 calves and average of 90 will be the selected gender.

What kind of fertility levels can we expect with sexed semen?

Sexed semen fertility levels are expected to range from 70 to 80% of levels with conventional semen.

Do I handle sexed semen differently from conventional?

Qualified, experienced technicians are recommended when using sexed semen to ensure best results. Protocols for handling sexed semen are the same as conventional semen and are affected by exposure to environment, thawing period, time to breeding, temperature, etc…

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Semex is home to Canada’s largest Bos Indicus breeding program. Some may ask why a Canadian company like Semex would invest in breeding cattle that thrive in the tropical climates. The answer is simple… Approximately 80% of the world’s beef cattle population contains Bos Indicus blood. Additionally, the marketplace demands genetics that survive and thrive in warmer climates.

Semex’s goal has always been to provide genetics and breeding options that will propel their breeding programs forward, wherever they are found. This includes both the Bos Taurus and Bos Indius breeds. Making these breeds commercially available worldwide is a major priority for the Semex Beef program as we strive to provide top quality genetics to breeders everywhere.

What breeds will be a part of the Zebu breeding program?

Semex is focusing on a core group of Bos Indicus breeds. Due to the large importance of Simmental and Angus genetics globally, Simbrah, Brangus and Red Brangus were the first investments for the Semex Zebu program. Semex has selected bulls and females from these breeds based on the same Semex Balanced Breeding philosophy we’ve used successfully for generations, as well as their individual breed character, outcross pedigree and high performance.

Semex has also invested in the growth of its Brahman and Red Brahman lineups, with an emphasis on developing new genetics that are outcrosses to today’s bloodlines. Through strong partnerships in global markets, Semex has secured genetics from Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Australia and the USA, incorporating traits that will provide our clients with previously unavailable breeding options.

What is Semex’s breeding philosophy for these breeds?

Semex’s breeding philosophy remains the same in selecting our Semex Zebu line-up… profitability through Balanced Breeding. We have selected sires that will be profitable and will build herds with longevity, structural soundness and performance.

We do not simply focus on show ring genetics or current fads. Instead, Semex is committed to providing new outcrosses, balanced and profitable sires to our customers. These exclusive genetics are only available through Semex, and will continue to move global breeding programs forward.

What breeds are available through the Semex Zebu program?

Breeds currently available include Brahman, Red Brahman, Simbrah, Black Brangus and Gir.

Another breed that Semex has been working with is the Gir breed, with our bull Cochise Gyr being an extremely strong seller in the past year. Cochise has been well accepted globally for his ability to provide genetics that produce and thrive in extreme temperatures. His daughters have become some of the world’s most elite females, proving his ability to move breeding programs forward.

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Visit Semex on Facebook With daily updates, stories, customer comments and so much more you don’t want to miss out.

Become a Semex fan and join over 3,000 fans worldwide today!

Your Source for the Industries Top Genetics!

• Over 5,000 beef and dairy embryos shipped worldwide in 2009 • Embryos currently available from over 7 different beef breeds • Combining top cow family genetics with proven performance sire For more information please contact: Dann T. Brady

PHONE: 519-821-5060

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ext. 219

CELL: 519-830-7875 EMAIL:

dbrady@semex.com

The ABCs What is an EPD?

Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is a tool producers use to predict how an animal’s future offspring will perform, and allows for easy comparison of animals within breed. The information is based on the individual animal’s performance, as well as the performance of his pedigree and offspring.

How are EPDs calculated?

EPDs are calculated twice a year by the breed association, once in the spring and once in the fall, when performance data is collected from breeders. Once all data is collected, it is forwarded to various universities where a National Cattle Evaluation is performed, and data is placed through intricate and complex formulas. These formulas take into account the animal’s individual performance, sire, dam and pedigree performance, offspring performance, as well as the correlation between genetic attributes and genetic variation.

quality of data used to compute EPDs. An EPD with an ACC value close to 1 is considered a reliable representation of the animal’s genetic value. An ACC value closer to 0 is considered to be less reliable. The difference in the figures is due to the amount of pedigree and progeny data being submitted. An ACC of 0 is generally seen in young sires that have little to no progeny data available.

In addition to having a number in the ACC column, there may also be an Interim (I) or Pedigree Estimate (P or PE) figure which is calculated when an animal does not have any individual performance data and uses an average of the parent EPDs. Interim and Pedigree Estimate accuracies generally range between 0.10 and 0.30.

How do I use the Breed Average?

The Breed Average (BA) is calculated each proof round, allowing producers to compare traits of individuals against the breed’s average (BA). Breed Average provides breeders with What is accuracy (ACC) another dimension, allowing you and what does it mean to compare one animal to another. with EPDs? It also allows a breeder to measure Accuracy (ACC) is a value between one given animal by seeing where their strengths and weaknesses are 0 and 1 that represents the and how they perform in relation EPD reliability. ACC is helpful to the general populace of a breed. when reading EPDs, since it is a calculation of the quantity and

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How do I use EPDs? EPDs can be used in many different situations including planning matings, evaluating cattle and sire selection. The first step is to establish what your breeding goals and objectives are. Defining your individual goals and objectives will help you concentrate on the traits that are important to your herd. For example, if you sell replacement females you may want to concentrate on the maternal traits such as MILK and TM. A breeder looking to feed and sell his cattle may focus more on performance and growth traits. Regardless of your goal, looking at a core group of EPDs will help you compare animals, and find those that have the genetics suited to your program and goals.

of EPDs Can you compare animals in different breeds?

Each breed has a different scale to calculate EPDs, making cross breed comparisons difficult.

However, there is an adjustment factor that can be used to make the comparison simpler. Below is the 2010 Across-Breed EPD Adjustment Table that is published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. In order to compare bulls between breeds, you simply take into account the value indicated in the below chart.

For example:

Bull A: Simmental with a 31.8 WW EPD Bull B: Hereford with a 50.6 WW EPD Since Bull A is a Simmental, we know from the chart below that we need to adjust his WW EPD by 28.4. His new value is then calculated as follows:

31.8 (existing EPD) + 28.4 (Adjusted value) = 60.2.

Since Bull B is a Hereford his adjustment factor is 0.5 for WW EPD. His new value is then calculated as follows:

50.6 (existing EPD) + 0.5 (Adjusted value) = 51.1.

Through this adjustment and comparison, Bull A has more genetic merit for weaning weight.

Table 1: Adjustment Factors To Add To EPDs For 18 Different Breeds Used To Estimate/Compare Across Breed EPDs Breed

Birth Weight (BW)

Weaning Weight (WW)

Yearling Weight (YW)

Maternal Milk

Marbling Scorea

Ribeye Area

Fat Thickness

Angus

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.00

0.00

0.000

Hereford

3.4

0.5

-15.5

-17.6

-0.33

-0.14

-0.050

Red Angus

2.6

-2.3

-5.5

-4.2

-0.06

-0.06

-0.051

Shorthorn

6.4

20.6

47.4

22.4

-0.10

0.20

-0.158

South Devon

4.8

4.6

-4.0

-8.0

-0.03

0.11

-0.118

Beefmaster

7.3

41.0

42.9

3.2

Brahman

12.5

42.0

2.6

24.4

Brangus

4.9

20.9

20.6

3.6

Santa Gertrudis

7.4

27.5

23.9

-0.60

-0.30

-0.137

Braunvieh

7.3

25.6

26.8

30.9

-0.31

0.89

-0.165

Charolais

9.3

41.9

50.8

3.1

-0.42

0.75

-0.233

Chiangus

5.0

-16.7

-39.4

-0.48

0.60

-0.155

Gelbvieh

4.3

5.7

-10.2

8.3

Limousin

4.2

1.4

-29.1

-15.5

-0.75

1.05

Maine-Anjou

4.8

-9.2

-25.0

-2.3

-0.88

1.06

-0.208

Salers

2.6

2.2

-5.5

-0.1

-0.20

0.80

-0.214

Simmental

5.2

28.4

28.3

11.8

-0.55

0.94

-0.224

Tarentaise

2.2

34.2

23.4

22.7

aMarbling score units: 4.00 = Sl00; 5.00 = Sm00

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EPD DICTIONARY Gestation Length (GL): measurement of the interval from conception to parturition (calving) in days Calving Ease (CE): predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit calving ease in comparison to other sires, in other words progeny born unassisted Calving Ease Direct (CED): predictor of a sire’s ability to provide calving ease when mated to heifers Birth Weight (BW): expressed in lbs, it is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny in comparison to other sires. Used in conjunction with actual birth weight BW can be used to determine calving ease.

Weaning Weight (WW): expressed in lbs and used as a predictor to show the sire’s ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny, in comparison to other sires.

Yearling Weight (YW): expressed in lbs and used as a predictor to show the sire’s ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny, in comparison to other sires.

Maternal Weaning Weight (MWWT) or Total Maternal (TM) or Milk & Growth (M&G) is expressed in lbs and is a predictor of the sires daughters ability to produce milk and the weaning weight of their calves attributed to milk and mothering abilities.

Maternal Calving Ease (MCE or CEM) is a predictor of the sires ability to transmit calving ease to his daughters and produce females who can calve unassisted.

Docility (DOC) is a measurement of an animal’s temperament, nervousness and flightiness when handled.

Stayability (STAY) is a predictor of probability of the sire being able to produce daughters that will stay in the herd for at least 6 years.

Scrotal Circumference (SC) is expressed in cm and is a predictor of a sires ability to transmit scrotal size in comparison to other sires.

Carcass Weight (CW) is expressed in lbs and is a predictor of the difference in hot carcass weught of a sire’s progeny compared to the progeny of other sires.

Yearling Height (YH): expressed in inches, it is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit height compared to other sires.

Marbling (IMF or MARB) is a predictor of the difference in a sire’s progeny fro percent intramuscular fat in the ribeye muscle compared to other sires.

Yearling Gain (YG) indicates the ability of an animal’s calves to grow between 205 days of age (weaning) and 365 days of age (yearling).

Ribeye Area (REA or RE) is a predictor of the difference in square inches of ribeye area of a sire’s progeny compared to the progeny of other sires.

Milk (MILK) is a predictor of a sires genetic merit for milk and mother abilities as expressed by his daughters.

Fat (FAT) is a predictor of the difference in the external fat thickness at the 12th rib in comparison to the progeny of other sires.

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OHL Score Board 21X Born: March 10, 2010 • CMAA Reg. #F500873 • BW: 97 lbs AMAA-2011 EPD ACC

BW 4.0 PE

WW 47.2 PE

YW 88.9 PE

MILK 18.8 PE

M&G 42.3 -

Score Board is a phenomenal purebred bull that created quite a stir at NWSS. He combines power, correctness, thickness, performance, balance and exceptional eye appeal.

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TEL.

130 Stone Road West, Guelph, ON 519-821-5060 | FAX 519-821-7225 www.semex.com