National Sire Test Update by Matt Woolfolk, ASA Director of Performance Programs
0 The National Sire Test is still going strong at the University of Illinois. The second calf crop in the program, born Fall 2018, is in the feedlot with a projected harvest date of the end of November. By the time this magazine hits your mailbox, the cattle will likely be on the rail. You will find a weaning weight report on the set below. The 2018 crop weaned off heavier than their 2017 counterparts by about 50 pounds for both steers and heifers. Based off of Dr. Shike’s projections during the NST Field Day back in August, these cattle may go to harvest about a week earlier than the previous year’s set. Keep an eye out
for a comprehensive report and analysis once we receive all the data back from the packing plant and the GrowSafe information. You’ll find this report in an early 2020 issue of the Shorthorn Country. 0 The 2019 calf crop was calved out during September and recorded the lowest birth weights to date in the NST program. A combination of a very harsh summer in Illinois and solid calving ease genetics across this sire lineup combined to bring weights down a bit on this crop. Once again, we are excited to report that every single calf in this set was born unassisted. The U of I staff runs these
2018 Calf Crop Weaning Weight Report
Ash Valley Answer 5720 Ash Valley Count 5792
HEIFERS AVG 205 0 STEERS AVG 205
AR4225554050 4530
60 496
42280610 70 4500 30525
Leveldale Ringo 337A
42062140 70 5080 30576
Muridale Thermal Energy
42181030 40 4720 10548
Saskvalley Ramrod 155R
41619300 40 5210 50525
SULL Red Reward 9321
AR488410 60 4270 30529 42231620 -0 -0
20543
Waukaru Gold Band 5061
42251080 70 4590 20512
Waukaru Gold Card 1010 TOTALS
0
REG#0
41753590 60 4650 50503 540 4700
330518
HEIFERS AVG BW 0 STEERS AVG BW
GESTATION
ARG Hector 1777 Ash Valley Right Choice 3212
42088630 90 68020 810279.7
Byland Denali 5M24
42245780 4064.807085.30278.7
CLF Foolin’ Around 1401
42671850 5072.803063.70275.9
42079650 20 960
4089.80 281.5
GCF Exchange 702E
42555130 5069.207080.70280.4
KL Proud Leader 321
42069660 8063.806073.30274.4
Saskvalley Banjo 268B
42564690 6070.205078.80278.2
South Starr Red RX S514
42178490 6068.304077.30275.5
Sutherland Revlon 343E TOTALS
Sig 2 - 6page.indd 6
REG#0
41966670 80 4840 30480
SULL RGLC Legacy 525 ET
220
=
Crooked Post Stockman 4Z
SULL RGLC Legacy 525 ET
2019 Calf Crop Birth/Calving Report
cows in a real-world environment, and minimal help is given to a calving cow. With such a wide array of Shorthorn genetics used in the NST over the 3 years, it’s a testament to breeders that what was once perceived as an issue now appears to be improving. Out of 347 calves born in the NST, 346 were unassisted. The 2019 calves will go through the same protocol as the previous crops. Weaning will take place around March 1, 2020, when the cattle will be sent to the feedyard on campus to gather growth and intake data before they head to harvest in Fall 2020.
42231620 4068.508082.30281 AR4259873030 840 0
40 77.80 279.9
520 69.50500 79.70278.4
shorthorn country = december 2019
11/18/19 9:16 AM