Association Outlook

Montie D. Soules

asa executive secretary/CEO

Manage for Success

This issue of the ‘Shorthorn for the EPDs. bull cover the cow herd after using AI. Country’ focuses on AI sires ✔Study the phenotype of the bull in That process is equally important. If you and the use of AI in your comparison with your cow herd (or get 50% conception AI, then half of the herd, which can be very rewarding to individual) you are planning to AI. cows are going to bred to the pasture those who prepare and plan for it. I I listed the phenotype of the animal bull. These calves need to be as good as personally believe that the use of AI gives after the performance traits or EPDs, possible and have data that helps add breeders the ability to use the best of the because I believe this should be viewed value to them and their progeny in the breed, a tremendous asset to both herd as an equal to the data. Only you can herd down the road. You can use some of improvement and breed improvement. make these decisions. Do not use a bull the same check list points when selecting The cost of semen may at times seem because your neighbor is using him. your pasture bull. daunting, but in comparison, consider Make your own choices and decisions I encourage you to look at AI as a tool the cost of owning the bull and it and dedicate plenty of time making to improve your herd and the breed. becomes fairly reasonable for access to them so you feel confident. You do not Total herd improvement results in major the genetics. Using AI provides options have to compromise the looks for the breed improvement that the industry for finding the performance profile you right options that fit your program and sees and acknowledges. These actions may need to implement into your herd marketing plan. are what will position Shorthorn in its or use on specific animals. Your options One area to carefully double check is rightful place in the Beef Cattle Industry. are greater through the use of AI. that the bulls you select have met all of

It is important to remember the extra the requirements to be considered “AI time and management that needs to Sire Qualified”. In the registry, on the be dedicated to have success using AI. detail page of the bull There are a number of things to check you select, the upper off before you attempt this process. left-hand corner denotes ✔First is the commitment of time to if the bull is AI Sire heat detect. Qualified with an icon. ✔Time to get the animal up and bred at There is also a logo denoting if the appropriate time. the AI sire requires an AI certificate ✔Plan ahead to have the semen available released to you to when needed. register the resulting

These few items are essential for calf, or if the bull is a getting your cows bred AI. If you are not non-certificate bull. confident that you can commit to these I would recommend without short-cuts, an AI program may looking this up on any not be for you. You can always consider AI sires you plan to use sending your cows to someone who does so you don’t run into a it professionally. snag when it is time to ✔The process of selecting the right AI register those AI sired calves. sires can also be time consuming. It is The use of AI can really make a good practice to try to learn as much difference in adding quality and value to about the cow families behind the bull your entire herd. It is important to note: as possible. A 100% conception rate on all of your ✔Totally investigate the performance cows bred AI is not normal. Different data so you are comfortable that it fits operations range from 40% to 70% your needs. conception on AI calves. This percentage ✔Compare the EPDs and accuracies on is usually connected to the amount of the bulls. time you have dedicated to the process. ✔Look at the consistency of the pedigree It is highly recommended, to have a Don’t Miss the Early Entry Deadline of of May 1 for the Best of the Barns award winning “Most Enjoyable Junior National in 2020”

voted on by the people of the livestock industy. National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference Early Entry Deadline May 1 Price Increases for Late Entry Deadline May 15