2017 Midland Bull Test

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A1

A publication of: ®

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A2

Midland Bull Test advances in 55th year of testing, selling highest quality bulls Columbus, Mont. – With 55 years behind them, Midland Bull Test has ramped up to provide the highest quality in seven breeds of bulls at their April 6-7 sales.

“Our family is honored to present a stellar group of bulls for buyers to visualize next year’s calf crop on the hoof,” say Steve Williams and Leo McDonnell, operators of Midland Bull Test.

“With so much change coming at us all so fast, it’s reassuring that some things remain the same,” they continue. “Producers will find the same feeling of timelessness at Midland Bull Test, where they will find an unparalleled collection of bulls all developed in the most positive, sound environment possible.”

Testing bulls “The objective of a bull test is to measure the differences of a group of bulls while also observing and documenting average daily gain, genetic expression, phenotypic strengths, etc.,” explains Williams.

“Two of the primary purposes of Midland Bull Test are to focus on soundness and fertility.”

The fall-out based on fertility is relatively low on test, and Williams attributes that to the ration they feed.

“The high level of roughage, coupled with the low level of grain, promotes ultimate soundness in the feet and legs and also aids in attaining the highest levels of fertility,” he explains.

“Our bulls walk through the

sale in fit using condition, ready to go to work.”

Because of the importance of bulls maintaining their condition while also performing at their top standard, Williams and McDonnell emphasize that Midland Bull Test sorts the final bulls to successfully transition to operations across the country.

Inside the numbers Expected progeny differences (EPDs) and genomic data are also important to Midland.

“In this era of numbers and genomics, it is heartening to see bulls perform in accordance to what one would expect for generated breed association EPDs,” McDonnell says. “It is also quite interesting, however, to force the cattle to legitimize those numbers through performance testing, which doesn’t always happen.”

He continues, “As we have observed thousands of bulls step up to the test, the results continue to evidence that a well-rounded prospect wins every time.”

With market correction seen recently, McDonnell and Williams emphasize that now is an important time for producers to maximize pounds at weaning and ensure the cattle herd stays at the top of its game.

“Midland bulls have been sifted countless times,” the pair says.

Midland Bull Test schedule As Midland Bull Test gears up for its 55th sale, they have developed a full schedule for this year, including sales, socials and time to visit with other producers.

A tentative schedule of events for the weekend is provided below.

Wednesday, April 5 6 p.m.

Social 6:30 p.m. Steak Fry, with High Country Cowboys Thursday, April 6 Salers, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Hereford, South Devon and Red Angus Bull Sales Social Steak Fry, with Teka Larson Southern Wildfire Fundraiser Auction

12 noon 6 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 7 10:30 a.m. Awards and Presentations 11 a.m.

Angus Bull Sale

7 Calving Ease Angus from

Sunny Okanogan

SO Capitalist 649-16 ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

3.40 BW +0.7

112 WW +52

2.89 Milk +24

94 YW +88

763 SC 37.0

1113 $B +99.89

Out of a Hyline Right Time 338 daughter Dam Prod 9 NR 104 • 2 YR 107

Lot 495 1-14-16

“Those bulls that remain in the final cut are balanced individuals, and that balance is evidenced by traits of economic importance across the board.”

Proven performers, they comment, give producers the upper hand as they look at margins in their progeny.

Fundraiser event This year, on April 6 from 6-9 p.m., the Midland Bull Test Banquet will be held and will feature a fundraising auction to benefit victims of the extensive wildfires in the southern U.S. “The disaster relief benefit for the wildfire victims in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma is being hosted

by Frontier Productions, LLC and Midland Bull Test,” says Williams. “The devastation of human lives taken, hundreds of cattle and livestock, hundreds of thousands of acres, homes, hay and more is unfathomable.”

Donations can be offered as cash or by check

made to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

Checks should note “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line.

Physical donations can also be made to the auction.

Auction items can include items, services or more.

Finally, everyone is welcome to bid and buy at the auction on April 6.

“All proceeds from that auction will go to AFBF. AFBF will send the money donated from private donations and sale proceeds to the state agencies of those states affected,” Williams says.

More information on the fundraiser can be found on Facebook, by e-mailing wildfiredonations@gmail. com or calling 406-8536937. Online donations can be made at frontierlivesale. com/donations.

Sale information With the test slated from April 6-7 at the Midland Bull Test Station in Columbus, Mont., the week will also feature a nightly steak fry. On April 6, the

Learn more about the Midland Bull Test, view the sale catalog and obtain more information by visiting midlandbulltest.com.

Index to results The top-performing bulls from the Midland Bull Test are ranked by breed over the next several pages. The following index provides a quick reference to finding results.

Angus – Pages A4-A6 Red Angus – Pages A7 Hereford – Page A11 Gelbvieh – Page A10 Salers – Page A9 Simmental – Page A10 South Devon – Pages A8 The rest of this edition includes information on a variety of bull and cattle management topics, ranging from breeding and bull selection to heifer and nutrition management.

Salers, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Hereford, South Devon and Red Angus bulls will sell, with a start time of 11 a.m.

The following day, the Angus bulls will sell beginning at 11 a.m. Immediately prior to the Angus Bull Sale, awards and presentations will begin at 10:30 a.m.

For 2017, Joe Goggins, Roger Jacobs and Dwain Hould will serve as auctioneers for the event.

This year, the sale will be broadcast online at frontierstockyards.com. Buyers must pre-register to bid online, and Frontier Stockyards emphasizes that buyer registration does not carry over from year-to-year or sale-to-sale.

Sale order is determined using the Midland Bull Test Index and Estimated Sale Value. The sale order will be posted in advance of the sale, and an online catalog is now available.

Bids may also be placed over the phone, but advance registration is still required.

More information on remote bidding options is available at midlandbulltest.com.

On sale day, call 406322-5597, 406-322-9044 or 406-322-9911 with any questions.

“We invite producers to study the data and stop by before the sale to study the bulls,” comment Williams and McDonnell. “Producers with any specific questions should let us know. We’re happy to assist in any way we can.”

Saige Albert, managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, compiled this article from information in the Midland Bull Test catalog and website. Send comments to saige@wylr. net.

Add Value to your Program with an LK Bar Bull #5

WDA White Tag Group 2

Krein Generation Atlas 627

By Connealy Capitalist 028

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107 YW +112

205

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4 1 6

$W +65.94 (Top 5%) $F +72.01 (Top 10%)

By Plus-T Earnan 505-14

Also Selling Lot 490 491 493 494 498

Sire Connealy Capitalist 028 Connealy Capitalist 028 Connealy Capitalist 028 Connealy Capitalist 028 RB Tour of Duty 177

BW -1.6 +1.2 +1.8 -1.3 +2.5

WW +61 +59 +60 +54 +53

Milk YW ADG +23 +100 3.18 +22 +99 2.83 +26 +104 2.86 +24 +95 2.87 +24 +92 3.09

2-9-16 Rat 105 93 94 94 100

WDA 2.85 2.67 2.82 2.67 3.01

YR 92 92 97 92 95

SC 36.0 38.5 38.0 31.0 35.0

Okanogan Sunny

Craig Vejraska • (509) 322-2780

B +114.68 +114.82 +102.13 +114.87 +123.59

by VAR Generation 2100

ADG 2.98 • Rat 96 • WDA 3.64 • YR 112 • 205 851 • NR 108 • 365 1343 • SC 40.0 BW +3.5 • WW +65 • Milk +34 • YW +105 • IMF 4.29 • Rat 109 • REA 16.2 • Rat 114 $W +64.85 (Top 10% ) $B +137.22 (Top 15%) - Dam Production 4 NR 106 • 1 YR 104

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3.13

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93

118

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420 VAR Generation 2100

2.89

93

3.50 107 +2.3

+56

+35

95

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LK BAR ANGUS RANCH 36351 Dublin Gulch Road • St. Ignatius, MT 59865 (406) 644-2801

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A3

Midland Bull Test: Where cattlemen come to buy performance herd sires By Steve Williams Hello 2017! As we step into this year and ponder politics, markets and weather, it feels as though we have crossed a threshold into uncharted times.

Remember, opportunity always follows these seasons of mayhem. Coming out of a year when we have faced intense competition and compromised margins, producers must identify and capitalize on elements that are predictable and controllable. Every penny counts, and now is the time to make sure we are not leaving money on the table, whether it is measuring profitability or discussing sustainability – efficiency is key to both, and no one measures more bulls for efficiency than Midland.

As we contemplate, we must become very purposeful in positioning ourselves to capitalize on opportunities. Genetics and management coupled together present tremendous opportunity. Here at Midland, we pride ourselves with compiling unbiased, objective data that helps producers find the ultimate fit for their operations. We pride ourselves in presenting buyers with options for every breeding objective – in every price range.

This era of big spread expected progeny differences (EPDs) and genomics is daunting as we determine which data is relevant to our operations. We are tasked with analyzing EPDs, genomics, phenotype and performance data – all of that as we simultaneously assess our business objectives, management and environment we run in. There are a lot of variables to consider.

Here at Midland, we provide the highest level of objectivity and transparency in our data reporting on bulls developed on a high roughage ration.

As long-time buyer Duane Rugg notes about his dad Glen Rugg – who was awarded Commercial Producer of the Year by the American Salers Association – “Dad always paid a lot of attention to performance records when we were buying bulls. It was a natural fit to look to Midland Bull Test where they pretty much measure anything that can be measured.�

I might add, we collect the data, and we present it objectively. We have a bull to fit your program and your budget. You would have to attend dozens and dozens of bull sales to find as many top performance bulls as you will find in one day at Midland, where the sorting is done for you.

I am proud to extend a personal invitation to all producers to come to Midland and evaluate the cream of the crop from their respective herds. If I can be of any assistance, please text me at 406-321-7046 or e-mail me at swilliams@midlandbulltest.com.

Thanks!

Steve

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402

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2.86

92

3.14

102

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+25

+102

+62.51

+69.25

+128.94

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3.50

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99

3.17

105

+1.4

+61

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+57.42

+63.50

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2.88

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+16

+109

+52.61

+69.03

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A4

Angus bulls hit top mark at Midland Bull Testâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 55th event Midland Bull Testâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angus bulls will sell on April 7, wrapping up the two-day sale event, and both groups of Angus bulls posted high scores.

Group One Angus posted averages of 3.20 and 3.13 for average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA), respectively. Group Two Angus bulls had an average ADG

of 3.07 and average WDA of 3.15.

Those bulls in Group Two of the test will have data regarding their RFI, Efficiency Ratio and Midland Bull Test Index released by the end of March, and data will be posted online prior to the sale.

Kurt Kangas represents the American Angus

Association at the Midland Bull Test.

The leaders of the Angus breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

Green Tag Group One ADG leaders To start, lot 39 has the highest ADG in Angus Green Tag Group One, with a mark of 4.79. The Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 son has

Leaders 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 270 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.67 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 233 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.64 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 91 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.59 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 259 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.57 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 82 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.57 Green Tag Group Two WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 403 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.68 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 536 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.66 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 653 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.63 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 488 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.63 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 409 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.6 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 485 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.6 White Tag Group One WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 263 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.77 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 320 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.69 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 256 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.68 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 87 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.62 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 117 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.57 White Tag Group 2 WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 408 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.07 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 637 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.8 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 410 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.75 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 484 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.66 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 416 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.64 ADG Sire Group Lots 92, 94, 95 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sired by AAR Ten Gauge WDA Sire Group Lot 408, 409, 410 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sired by Barstow Cash

Green Tag Group One ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 39 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.79 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 236 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.09 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.03 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 109 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.99 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 110 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.99 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 260 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.99 Green Tag Group Two ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 409 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.01 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 445 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.82 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 607 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.76 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 405 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.74 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 523 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.74 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 546 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.74 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 587 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.74 White Tag Group One ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 147 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.37 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 92 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.3 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 94 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.22 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 247 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.18 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 95 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.16 White Tag Group Two ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 408 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.47 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 516 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.18 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 480 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.13 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 530 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.12 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 545 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.99 Green Tag Group One WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 258 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.81

EPDs of BW 0.2, WW 66, YW 112, M 27, RFI -2.60, Eff 119 and MBT 121. He was consigned by Willekes Angus of Choteau, Mont.

He has a 205 weight of 681 and WDA of 3.53.

Following in second was lot 236, sired by Connealy Black Granite with an ADG of 4.09. Consigned

by Steward Select Angus, LLC of Greensburg, Ind., he has a WDA of 3.40 and 205 weight of 725 and EPDs of BW 0.2, WW 66, YW 114 and M 29.

Lot 7 came next with an ADG of 4.03. From Winding River Angus in Billings, Mont, he was sired by MAR Double XL 320 and had a WDA of 3.41 and 205 weight of 777. His EPDs are BW 0.6, WW 63, YW 109 and M 29.

A three-way tie for fourth came from lots 109, 110 and 260, with an ADG of 3.99.

Lot 109 was consigned

by Marda Angus Farm of Lodi, Wisc. He was sired

by Barstow Cash and has a WDA of 3.0 and 205 weight of 706. His EPDs are BW 1.4, WW 59, YW 110 and M 30.

Also from Marda Angus Farms, LLC, lot 110 was sired by SAV Ten Speed 3022. He has EPDs of BW 1.4, WW 59, YW 110 and M 30 and a WDA of 3.37. He also has a 205 weight of 797.

Rounding out the group was lot 260 of Deppe Angus in Waverly, Iowa.

The lot was sired by VAR Discovery 2240 and has a WDA of 3.46 and 205

White Tag ADG leader - Sundberg Farmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lot 147 led the White Tag Angus Group One in average daily gain, with an ADG of 4.37. Sired

by BSF Hot Lotto 1401, he also has a WDA of 3.38, 205 Weight of 793 and EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 71, YW 121, M 26. Courtesy photo

weight of 792. His EPDs are BW 0.5, WW 81 YW 140 and M 37.

Green Tag Group Two ADG leaders Topping the Green Tag Group Two ADG leaders was lot 409 with an ADG of 4.01. The son of Barstow Cash has a WDA of 3.6 and 205 weight of 765. He has EPDs of BW 1.6, WW 68, YW 122 and M 20. He was consigned

by Granger Angus of Great Falls, Mont.

Next, lot 455 from Brand Angus in Lake City, Minn., has an ADG of 3.82.

With a WDA of 3.6 and 205 weight of 828, he has EPDs of BW 1.7, WW 68, YW 114 and M 27. He was sired

by AAR Ten X 7008 S A#.

Lot 607 came in third with an ADG of 3.76. The son of Flat Mountain Efficiency has a WDA of 3.54, 205 weight of 801 and EPDs of BW -2.5, WW 76, YW 115 and M 17. He was consigned by Flat Mountain Angus in Menahga, Minn.

Granger Angusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lot 405 came next with a 3.74 ADG. A son of VAR Generation 2100, he has EPDs of BW 1.4, WW 61, YW 109 and M 34, a WDA of 3.39 and 205 weight of 766.

A three-way tie for fifth was held by lots 523, 546 and 587, all with an Continued on next page

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-PEJ 8JTDPOTJO t

L O T 1 1 3

CZ $POOFBMZ #MBDL (SBOJUF

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

Ind

SC

112

3.07

103

109

37

BW

WW

Milk

YW

Eff

+29

+105

1217

114

+2.4

.BU (SBOEBN 1SPE /3 t :3

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A5 weight of 664.

Another AAR Ten Gauge 1501 son, lot 94, followed in fourth place with an ADG of 4.22. Also consigned by VGA Livestock, the bull has EPDs of BW 2.5, WW 59, YW 95, M 20, RFI 0.13, Eff 108 and MBT 113. He has a WDA of 3.22 and a 205 weight of 722.

Next in the White Tag Group One ADG leaders for the Angus bulls, lot 247 posted an ADG of 4.18. The bull, consigned

by Zeller Angus Farm of Noblesville, Ind., is a son of SAV Resource 1441. He has EPDs of BW 3.7, WW 58, YW 111, M 27, RFI -1.12, Eff 111 and MBT 113. He has a WDA of 3.43 and 205 weight of 744.

Rounding out the group was lot 95 with an ADG of 4.16. Sired by A A R Ten Gauge 1501, the bull has a WDA 3.09 and 205

Continued from previous page ADG of 3.74.

Lot 523 is from Ward Angus Ranch of Youngward, Utah. With a WDA of 3.16 and 205 weight of 722, he was sired by Connealy Comrade 1385 and has EPDs of BW -1.1, WW 52, YW 96 and M 27.

Quail Valley Ranch of Prineville, Ore. consigned lot 546, who was sired by Connealy Confidence 0100.

He has a WDA of 3.15, 205 weight of 686 and EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 43, YW 86 and M 24.

Lot 587 is a son of Sitz Investment 660Z and has EPDs of BW -1.3, WW 60, YW 112 and M 24. He was consigned by Lazy K Ranch, doing business as LRK Cattle Co., of Lolo, Mont. and has a WDA of 3.47 and 205 weight of 794.

White Tag Group One ADG leaders Lot 147 came in at the top of the White Tag Group One Angus with an ADG of 4.37. Consigned by Sundberg Farms of Mendota, Ill., the son of BSF Hot Lotto 1401 has EPDs of BW 0.6, WW 72, YW 123, M 26, RFI -0.11, Eff 100 and MBT 104. He has a WDA of 3.38 and 205 weight of 792.

An ADG of 4.3 made lot 92 the second-high gaining bull in Angus White Tag Group One. The son of AAR Ten Gauge 1501 has EPDs of BW 2.7, WW 55, YW 96, M 24, RFI -1.28, Eff 101 and MBT 108. He was consigned

by VGA Livestock of Manhattan, Mont. He has a WDA of 3.13 and 205

Green Tag WDA leader - Lot 258 topped the Green Tag Group One WDA category, with a WDA of 3.81. The bull, a son of VAR Discovery 2240 from Deppe Angus in Waverly, Iowa, had an ADG of 3.84 and 205 weight of 827. He also has EPDs of BW 1.2, WW 70, YW 131 and M22. Courtesy photo

weight of 671, with EPDs of BW 2.1, WW 54, YW 99 and M 20. He was consigned by VGA Livestock of Manhattan, Mont.

White Tag Group Two ADG leaders Lot 408 led the White Tag Group Two for ADG with a score of 4.47. From Granger Angus in Great Falls, Mont., the son of Barstow Cash has a WDA of 4.07 and 205 weight of 885. He boasts EPDs of BW 0.8, WW 71, YW 131 and M 20.

Next, Reiss Angus Ranch of Dunn Center, N.D. consigned lot 516, which was sired by GDAR Tabasco 3111. The bull has an ADG of 4.18, WDA of 3.59 and 205 weight of 742, with EPDs of BW 0.9, WW 61, YW 100 and M 26.

The third-place bull was lot 480, sired by SAV Pioneer 7301# with an

Top WDA - Lot 409, a son of Barstow Cash consigned by Granger Angus Great Falls, Mont., tied for fifth in WDA for the Angus Green Tag Group Two bulls. He has an ADG of 4.01 and 205 weight of 765.

His EPDs are BW 1.6, WW 68, YW 122 and M 20. Courtesy photo

$$ Calving Ease • Added Value $$

ADG of 4.13. The Dirks Stock Ranch bull of Moses Lake, Wash. has a WDA of 3.53 and 205 weight of 840. He also has EPDs of BW 2.8, WW 52, YW 95 and M 27.

Fourth was a Bullinger Ranch bull from Dickinson, N.D. The consignment was sired by Musgrave Aviator and has an ADG of 4.12.

His WDA of 3.35 and 205 weight of 660 was coupled with EPDs of BW 2.7, WW 50 YW 85 and M 27.

Lastly, lot 545, sired by Connealy Confidence 0100, has an ADG of 3.99. From Prineville, Ore.’s Quail Valley Ranch, the bull has a WDA of 3.25, 205 weight of 638 and EPDs of WW 49, YW 86 and M 22.

Green Tag Group One WDA leaders Lot 258 topped the Green Tag Group One WDA category, with a WDA of 3.81. The bull, a son of VAR Discovery 2240 from Deppe Angus in Waverly, Iowa, had an ADG of 3.84 and 205 weight of 827. He also has EPDs of BW 1.2, WW 70, YW 131 and M 22.

Lot 270 was next, with a WDA of 3.67. From Grosse Land and Livestock Co. in Denver, Iowa, he was sired by Connealy Black Granite and has an ADG of 3.96 and 205 weight of 814. He has EPDs of BW 1, WW 64, YW 108 and M 32.

Lot 233 with a WDA of 3.64, came next. With

7 Outstanding Prospects EFF IMF 6114 .68

WRAF Double Decade 6487 L o t 4 5 8 12-21-15

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

3.29

106

3.48

109

745

1304

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

$B

+0.9

+59

+25

+94

41.0

+112.50

$W +61.10 (Top 10%) $F + 65.52 (Top 15%)

by High Prime 4037

Bluegrass Southside 606

Bluegrass High Prime 607

Rat WDA

YR

205

365

2.87

93

3.37

107

768

1288

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

$B

+2.4

+69

+32

+118 37.5 +147.05

$W +72.04 (Top 2%) $F +81.36 (Top 3%)

+0.2 +0.5 -0.1 -0.4

GR

YR

BW

205

NR

RFI

4.03

127

108

78

777

116

-2.82

MEPD

YEPD

IMF

Final Index

+28

+106

6.68

1295

BEPD WEPD +1.6

+58

Mat Grandam Prod

+52 +50 +66 +63

116

NR 104 • 5 YR 104

Lot 7

EFF IMF 5117 .13

Katrinas Final Answer Logic 2-5-16

by Sitz Logic Y46

ADG

GR

3.82

120

+3.1

YR 108

4 6 0

Allisons Effective War Party

2.82 3.13 2.88 3.17

93 101 95 104

3.17 3.12 3.12 3.15

102 98 100 105

SC

$B

ADG

GR

YR

3.74

117

102

38.0 38.0 40.0 36.0

+138.30 +122.89 +115.54 +131.63

Bluegrass Angus Farm Bill Riecken • (402) 687-2181 email: bluegrassangus@huntel.net 612 County Road U • Lyons, NE 68038

+1.5

+62

+27

205

NR

RFI

76

731

109

-2.80

YEPD REA Final Index +111

12.1

1295

114

EFF REA 102 14.1

by Schiefelbein Effective 61

BEPD WEPD MEPD

YW ADG Rat WDA YR

+29 +84 +25 +83 +29 +108 +28 +105

1-27-16

MEPD

BW

Mat Grandam Prod 5 NR 108 • 1 YR

Lot 8

BW WW Milk

High Prime 4037 High Prime 4037 KCF Bennett Southside Stevenson Rockmount RX933

ADG

BEPD WEPD

Additional Bluegrass Prospects 456 457 459 463

by MAR Double XL 320

Dam Production 5 NR 102 • 1 YR 102

12-19-15 by KCF Bennett Southside

Dam Production 11 NR 108 • 5 YR 105

Lot Sire

2-1-16

L o t

ADG

an ADG of 3.61 and 205 weight of 894, the bull was sired by SAV Resource 1441 and consigned by Curtin Land and Cattle LLC of Blue Mound, Ill. He has EPDs of BW 1.3, WW 60, YW 114 and M 26.

A WDA of 3.59 put lot 91 in fourth. From Olson Cattle Company in St. Ignatius, Mont., he was sired by Basin Payweight 1682 and has an ADG of 3.29 and 205 weight of 836. He also has EPDs of BW 0.4, WW 62, YW 106 and M 31.

A tie for fifth was held by lots 259 and 82, with a WDA of 3.57.

Lot 259 was a Deppe Angus consignment sired

by VAR Discovery 2240 with an ADG of 3.82. He has a 205 weight of 784 and EPDs of BW -0.7, WW 58, YW 112 and M 29.

Lot 82 is from Harrison Angus Ranch of Boyd, Mont. Sired by KG Solution 0018, he has an ADG of 3.23, 205 weight of 1004 and EPDs of BW 0, WW 71, YW 121 and M 25.

Green Tag Group Two WDA leaders Granger Angus consigned the Angus Green Tag Group Two WDA leader, lot 403, who posted a WDA of 3.68. From Great Falls, Mont., the bull was sired by Granger Great Falls 053 and has an ADG of 3.45 and 205 weight of 821. He also has EPDs of BW 0.2, WW 67, YW 113 Continued on next page

+53

+28

BW

205

NR

RFI

76

697

104

-0.26

YEPD REA Final Index +92

Mat Grandam Prod 13 NR

14.1

1230

106

Lot 14

• 4 YR 10

Also Offering: Lot 9 11 12 13

Sire Ten Speed Balance Security Effective

BEPD WEPD MEPD YEPD +0.7 +59 +31 +102 -0.2 +56 +27 +89 -0.2 +58 +28 +99 +0.5 +55 +30 +86

BW 71 72 73 76

205 709 735 770 730

NR 106 110 115 109

GR 103 106 109 106

RFI EFF IMF -3.51 107 4.69 -0.75 109 5.14 -0.18 101 4.27 -2.51 110 4.20

REA 11.1 12.2 11.3 11.5

IND 102 107 108 105

Louis and Kathy Dubs 4910 Custer • Billings, MT 59106 windingriverangus@gmail.com 406-652-7515 or 406-208-8643

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A6 Continued from previous page has an ADG of 3.45 and a 205 weight of 905. He also has EPDs of BW 1.3, WW 68, YW 102 and M 24.

Lot 409 tied with lot 485 for fourth with a WDA of 3.6.

Lot 409 is a consignment from Granger Angus that was sired by Barstow Cash and has an ADG of 4.01 and 205 weight of 765. His EPDs are BW 1.6, WW 68, YW 122 and M 20.

He tied with Hay Cow’s lot 485, who was sired by Fraser Fireman 1195. The Lincoln, Calif. consignment has a 205 weight of 913 and an ADG of 3.03. He also has EPDs of BW 0.6, WW 73, YW 111 and M 20.

White Tag Group One WDA leaders Lot 263 topped the White Tag Group One Angus with a WDA of 3.77.

and M 25.

Next, lot 536 had a WDA of 3.66. The son of Plattemere Weigh Up K360 also had an ADG of 3.21 and 205 weight of 843. His EPDs are BW 1.4, WW 73, YW 126 and M 26.

The bull was consigned by Richland Prairie Farms of Lanesboro, Minn.

Lots 653 and 488 tied for third with a WDA of 3.63.

Lot 653 was consigned by Fraser Ranch of Lincoln, Calif. and has an ADG of 3.5 and 205 weight of 770. He also has EPDs of BW -0.4, WW 71, YW 116 and M 24 and was sired

by McD SF Total 1348.

Lot 488 is a consignment from Hay Cow, also of Lincoln, Calif. Sired by Fraser Fireman 1195, he

White Tag Group One WDA - Lot 263 topped the White Tag Group One Angus with a WDA of 3.77. Sired by SAV Angus Valley 1867, he was consigned by Deppe Angus of Waverly, Iowa and has an ADG of 3.49 and 205 weight of 894. He has EPDs of BW 2.8, WW 55, YW 100 and M 23. Courtesy photo

Sired by SAV Angus Valley 1867, he was consigned by Deppe Angus of Waverly, Iowa and has an ADG of 3.49 and 205 weight of 894.

He has EPDs of BW 2.8, WW 55, YW 100 and M 23.

Next, lot 320 from Hone Ranch in Gardnerville, Nev. has a WDA of 3.69. He is the son of Leadore RS Retail Value 4108 and has an ADG of 3.67, 205 weight of 767 and EPDs of BW 1.3, WW 48, YW 77 and M 23.

A Deppe Angus consignment, lot 256, came next with a WDA of 3.68.

He is from the Waverly, Iowa ranch and was sired by Connealy Capitalist 028. He has an ADG of 3.13, a 205 weight of 872, and EPDs of BW 2.5, WW 61, YW 106 and M 26 Next, lot 87 posted a WDA of 3.62. From Olson Cattle Co. in St. Ignatius,

Mont., the bull was sired

by Musgrave Big Sky and has an ADG of 3.44, a 205 weight of 836 and EPDs of BW 2.

KLS Farm of New Richmond, Wisc. consigned the fifth-highest WDA in the group, which was sired

by VAR Discover 2240. Lot 117 has a WDA of 3.57, ADG of 3.95, 205 weight of 874 and EPDs of BW 2, WW 65, YW 120 and M 25.

White Tag Group 2 WDA leaders Rounding out the leaders, White Tag Group Two Angus was led in the WDA category by lot 408 with a WDA of 4.07. From Granger Angus in Great Falls, Mont., he was sired

by Barstow Cash and has an ADG of 4.47, 205 weight of 885 and EPDs of BW 0.8, WW 71, YW 131 and M 20.

Next, lot 637 from

White Tag Group Two WDA - At the top of the Angus White Tag Group Two bulls for WDA, lot 408 has a WDA of 4.07. From Granger Angus in Great Falls, Mont., he was sired by Barstow Cash and has an ADG of 4.47, 205 weight of 885 and EPDs of BW 0.8, WW 71, YW 131 and M 20. Courtesy photo

4 Tremendous Herd Sire Prospects

Selling 3 Flush Mates by Connealy Black Granite Growth • Carcass • Calving Ease

Lienetics Ranch in Princeton, Neb., has a WDA of 3.8. The son of Quaker Hill Rampage OA36 also has an ADG of 3.65, 205 weight of 724 and EPDs of BW 3.9, WW 71, YW 120 and M 28.

Lot 410 followed close behind with a WDA of 3.75. The consignment, also from Granger Angus was also sired by Barstow Cash. He has an ADG of 3.42, 205 weight of 898 and EPDs of BW 2.8, WW 76, YW 138 and M 20.

Hay Cow of Lincoln, Calif. consigned lot 484, which placed fourth with a WDA of 3.66. The bull was sired by McD SF Total Package 1337 and has an ADG of 3.69, 205 weight of 884 and EPDs of BW 3.3, WW 62, YW 101 and M 12.

Wrapping up the class was lot 416 of LK Bar

Third-high WDA - Lot 410 hit third place in the Angus White Tag Group Two leaders with a WDA of 3.75. The consignment, also from Granger Angus, was sired by Barstow Cash. He has an ADG of 3.42, 205 weight of 898 and EPDs of BW 2.8, WW 76, YW 138 and M 20. Courtesy photo

O utstAnding P eRfORMAnce

From one of America’s Leading Red Angus Breeders -8B5:3 -?1 w >;C@4 w ->/-??

GLL Stone

#2 ADG

Anna’s Red Cherokee

2-4-2016

Lot 266

1-16-16

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

ADG

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

SC

3.78

119

3.14

99

3.74

129

3.12

99

704

1150

36.0

365

Eff

IND

SC

BW

WW

Milk

YW

EFF

IND

IMF

1152

96

109

38.0

-0.4

+67

+23

+97

100

108

+1.15

$W +72.65 • $B +129.66

o

GLL Coal WDA

YR

3.23

101

3.25

102

365

Eff

IND

SC

1188

98

106

37.0

768

T op

B o o 36 $25 000

7787 .

o #3 ADG

2-16-16 ADG

$W +71.48 (Top 2%)

Lot 268

Rat.

WDA

YR

3.70

128

3.32

BW

WW

Milk

-1.7

+52

+28

Mar n

205

365

SC

101

581

1168

36.5

YW

EFF

IND

IMF

+78

–

109

+1.08

Dam Production 4 NR 102 P n o 1 •R n o 10

LOT 768

Mat Grandam Prod 6 NR 117

#2 WDTAag Green p Grou 1

GLL Iron

Lot 270

2-20-2016 ADG 3.96

767

Anna’s Chili Pepper

2-14-2016 RAT

Dam Production 5 NR 102 Mar n P n o 10 • M 111

LOT 767

3 Flus Brot ers EPDs BW +1.0 • WW +60 • Mil +32 • YW +98

ADG

Angus Ranch in St. Ignatius, Mont., with a WDA of 3.64. The bull has an ADG of 2.98, 205 weight of 851 and EPDs of BW 3.4, WW 66, YW 108 and M 36. He was sired by VAR Generation 2100.

ADG Sire Group Lots 92, 94 and 95 has the top ADG group. The set was sired by AAR Ten Gauge and consigned by VGA Livestock. They had ADGs of 4.3, 4.22 and 4.16, respectively.

WDA Sire Group Lots 408, 409, 410, sired by Barstow Cash, represented the top WDA sire group, with WDA of 4.07, 3.60 and 3.75, respectively. The group was consigned by Granger Angus of Great Falls, Mont.

Full results are available at midlandbulltest. com.

RAT 124

WDA 3.67

YR 115

365 1337

Eff 106

IND 117

SC 36.0

$W +77.99 (Top 1%)

$B +157.53 (Top 15)

Also Selling a 2-9-2016 son of Vision Unanimous 1418: Lot ADG RAT WDA YR BW WW Milk YW 365 Eff IND SC 267 3.43 106 3.09 95 2.3 +71 +31 +119 1130 92 103 35.5 $W +83.30 (Top 1%) • $B +135.34 (Top 15)

Grosse Land & Livestock

Shane and Mollie Grosse • Denver, IA 319-290-6055

o

o o

o

o

o o

765

766 o 14 o $54 000

2016

o o

T op

Top o 36. T

Lot Birth BW WW Milk YW ADG RAT WDA YR 365 765 1-21-16 -1.3 +82 +37 +134 3.23 111 2.97 94 1095 766 1-17-16 -1.3 +82 +37 +134 2.81 107 2.78 95 1035

.

352 o

SC Eff IND 38.5 99 105 34.5 94 103

Also selling another son of Brown Commitment X7787 Lot Birth BW WW Milk YW ADG RAT WDA YR 365 SC Eff IND 769 2-25-16 -3.3 +64 +26 +91 2.77 105 2.77 98 1070 35.0 105 103

McPhee Red Angus Lodi, CA • 209-607-9719 www.mcpheeredangus.com

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A7

55th Midland Bull Test brings high-ranked Red Angus bulls to Montana Red Angus cattle from six consignors at the Midland Bull Test showed impressive results, with average daily gain (ADG) topping four pounds per day and weight per day of age (WDA) surpassing the three-pound mark.

The average ADG for the bulls was 2.85 and the average WDA was 3.04 The bulls are slated to sell on April 6 at the end of the sale.

The leaders of the Red Angus breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

Green Tag ADG leaders The Green Tag Red Angus were led by lot 757 in terms of ADG, with a score of 3.28 pounds per day. The bull, consigned

by Bird Dog Red Angus of Sand Coulee, Mont., was sired by Andras New Direction R240 and has a WDA of 3.17, 205 weight of 757 and EPDs of BW -2.5, WW 64, YW 105 and M 25.

Next, lot 766 posted an ADG of 2.81. From McPhee Red Angus in Lodi, Calif., he is a son of McPhee Top Commitment 352 and has a WDA of 2.78, 205 weight of 680 and EPDs of BW -1.3, WW 82, YW 134 and M 37.

A tie for third was held by lots 754 and 69, which posted an ADG of 2.77.

Lot 754 is a Double Tree Red Angus consignment from Sand Coulee, Mont. The bull was sired

by BUF CRK The Right Kind U199 and has a WDA of 2.84, 205 weight of 768 and EPDs of BW -2, WW 65, YW 101 and M 24.

Another McPhee Red Angus consignment, lot 769 was sired by Brown Commitment X7787 and has a WDA of 2.77, 205

weight of 715 and EPDs of BW -3.3, WW 64, YW 91 and M 26.

Yellow Tag ADG leaders Leading off the Red Angus Yellow Tag group in ADG was Lot 780, with an ADG of 4.81. Consigned

by Hay Cow of Lincoln, Calif., the son of Majestic Burn Barrell Y720 has EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 64, YW 97, M 21, RFI -0.60, Eff 132 and MBT 131. He has a WDA of 3.73 and a 205 weight of 752.

Next, lot 767 posted an ADG of 3.74. The son of Brown Commitment X7787 has EPDs of BW -0.4, WW 67, YW 97, M 23 RFI 3.44, Eff 100 and MBT 108. He was consigned by McPhee Red Angus of Lodi, Calif. and has a WDA of 3.12 and 205 weight of 704.

Following closely, lot 768 came in third with an ADG of 3.7. Another McPhee Red Angus consignment and son of Brown Commitment X7787, the bull has EPDs of BW -1.7, WW 52, YW 78, M 28 and MBT 109. He also has a WDA of 3.32 and 205 weight of 581.

Lot 764 took the fourth place slot, with an ADG of 3.68. From Gibson Cattle Company in Rome, Ga., the Gibson Nexus X210 son has EPDs of BW -1.0, WW 56, YW 86, M 27 and MBT 107. His WDA was 3.04 and 205 weight was 664.

An ADG of 3.32 put lot 787 in the fifth-place slot for the Red Angus Yellow Tag ADG leaders. The son of HayCow Oh My has EPDs of BW -0.0, WW 53, YW 85, M 13, RFI 1.08, Eff 108 and MBT 106.

He was also consigned by Hay Cow and has a WDA of 3.35 and 205 weight of 687.

Green Tag WDA leaders Lot 782 took the firstplace slot in the Green Tag WDA category for the Red Angus bulls with a WDA of 3.37. From Hay Cow, the HayCow Oh My son has EPDs of BW -1.2, WW 59, YW 88, M 23, RFI 1.65, Eff 92 and MBT 100. He also boasts an ADG of 2.45 and 205 weight of 770.

Next, lot 757 has a WDA of 3.7. From Bird Dog Red Angus in Sand Coulee, Mont., the bull was sired by Andras New Direction R240 and has an ADG of 3.28, a 205 weight of 757 and EPDs of BW -2.5, WW 64, YW 105 and M 25.

Lot 754 hit third place, with a WDA of 2.84. From Double Tree Red Angus, also out of Sand Coulee, Mont., the son of BUF CRK The Right Kind U199 has an ADG of 2.77, a 205 weight of 768 and EPDs of BW -2, WW 65, YW 101 and M 24.

Finally, lot 766 wraps up the WDA leaders in

the Green Tag Red Angus with a WDA of 2.81. The McPhee Red Angus bull from Lodi, Calif. was sired

by McPhee Top Commitment 352 and has an ADG of 2.81, a 205 weight of 680 and EPDs of BW -1.3, WW 82, YW 134 and M 37.

Yellow Tag WDA leaders Lot 780 was also top in the WDA category, with a WDA of 3.73. Consigned

by Hay Cow of Lincoln, Calif., the son of Majestic Burn Barrell Y720 has EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 64, YW 97, M 21, RFI -0.60, Eff 132 and MBT 131. He has a WDA of 3.73 and a 205 weight of 752.

Yet another Hay Cow consignment, lot 783 has a WDA of 3.6, putting him in second. His EPDs are BW -0.1, WW 54, YW 80, M 19, RFI 0.07, Eff 105 and MBT 104, and he was sired by HayCow Oh My. Then, in fourth, lot 787 came in with a WDA of 3.35. The son of Hay-

Cow Oh My has EPDs of BW -0.0, WW 53, YW 85, M 13, RFI 1.08, Eff 108 and MBT 106. He was also consigned by Hay Cow and has an ADG of 3.32 and 205 weight of 687.

Lot 768 rounded out the WDA category, with a WDA of 3.32. McPhee Red Angus consignment and son of Brown Commitment X7787, the bull has EPDs of BW -1.7, WW 52, YW 78, M 28 and MBT 109. He also has an

Leaders 3 – Lot 754 – 2.84 4 – Lot 766 – 2.81 Yellow Tag WDA leaders 1 – Lot 780 – 3.73 2 – Lot 783 – 3.6 3 – Lot 787 – 3.35 4 – Lot 768 – 3.32 ADG sire group Lots 772, 779 and 780 – Sired by Majestic Burn Barrell Y720 WDA sire group Lots 782, 783 and 787 – Sired by Haycow Oh My

Green Tag ADG leaders 1 – Lot 757 – 3.28 2 – Lot 766 – 2.81 3 – Lot 754 – 2.77 4 – Lot 769 – 2.77 Yellow Tag ADG leaders 1 – Lot 780 – 4.81 2 – Lot 767 – 3.74 3 – Lot 768 – 3.7 4 – Lot 764 – 3.68 5 – Lot 787 – 3.32 Green Tag WDA leaders 1 – Lot 782 – 3.37 2 – Lot 757 – 3.17

Selling 15 Top Angus Prospects \ <3 A52 '<= * B99@ \

#1 W Grou DA p1

Deppe GFF 244 Discovery 641

2-19-16

Deppe GFF Angus Valley 640

#2 D GroW up 1A

Lot 258

Lot 263

by VAR Discovery 2240

2-19-16 by SAV Angus Valley 1867

#4 D GroW up 1A

Deppe GFF Capitalist 643

Lot 256 2-20-16 by Connealy Capitalist 028

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.84

121

3.81

119

111

40.0

3.49

108

3.77

116

107

40.0

3.13

97

3.68

113

107

40.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

+1.3

+69

+22

+131

1388

104

+2.9

+54

+23

+98

1375

105

+2.5

+60

+27

+104

1343

99

%IMF +1.09 • REA +.60 • $B 171.81

IMF % +.41 • REA +45 • $B 113.47

Deppe GFF Black Granite 634

Lot 251

IMF% +.41 • REA +.65 • $B 116.94

Deppe JA Capitalist 668

15 Bulls Average Ratio: ADG - 108 WDA - 108 MBT Index - 107 Eff - 101

Lot 257

Genomic Tested

2-15-16 by Connealy Black Granite

ADG leader - Lot 780 led the Red Angus Yellow Tag bulls and the Red Angus breed in average daily gain at Midland Bull Test this year with an ADG of 4.81. Consigned by Hay Cow of Lincoln, Calif., the son of Majestic Burn Barrell Y720 has EPDs of BW 0.7, WW 64, YW 97, M 21, RFI -0.60, Eff 132 and MBT 131. He has a WDA of 3.73 and a 205 weight of 752. Courtesy photo

ADG of 3.7 and 205 weight of 581.

Sire groups Lots 772, 779 and 780 were sired by Majestic Burn Barrell Y720 and have ADGs of 3.07, 2.77 and 4.81, respectively. They comprised the champion ADG sire group for the Red Angus bulls and were consigned by Hay Cow of Lincoln, Calif.

Full results are available at midlandbulltest.com.

3-9-16 by Connealy Capitalist 028

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.22

101

3.49

110

108

35.0

3.18

100

3.27

102

103

34.5

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

+1.7

+54

+31

+93

1275

104

+.3

+62

+34

+108

1183

93

IMF% +63 • REA +.79 • $B 139.21

IMF% +33 • REA +.75 • $B 108.96

ADDITIONAL PROSPECTS Lot 252 253 254 255 259 260 261 262 264 265

Birth 2-27-16 3-19-16 1-9-16 2-2-16 2-25-16 2-26-16 2-22-16 3-24-16 2-21-16 3-21-16

Sire Connealy Black Granite Connealy Black Granite Connealy Capitalist 606 Sitz Top Game 561X V A R Discovery 2240 V A R Discovery 2240 S A V Ten Speed 3022 S A V Ten Speed 3022 A A R Ten X 7008 S A Vision Unanimous 1418

BW +2.4 -0.1 +2.1 +2.5 -0.7 +0.5 +0.5 -0.8 -0.4 +3.0

WW +57 +57 +63 +60 +57 +80 +63 +75 +57 +74

Milk +29 +30 +30 +36 +29 +37 +36 +33 +27 +30

YW +96 +95 +105 +107 +111 +139 +113 +126 +107 +119

ADG 3.43 3.34 3.55 3.70 3.82 3.99 3.49 3.05 3.67 2.90

RAT 108 105 110 115 120 125 110 96 115 90

WDA 3.29 3.49 3.33 3.27 3.57 3.46 3.15 3.35 3.47 3.55

YR 100 108 105 101 111 111 99 105 109 109

IND 108 110 111 107 107 113 106 109 106 102

365 1190 1260 1250 1202 1296 1294 1146 1225 1265 1290

The Deppe Family

Yellow Tag ADG - Lot 767 posted an ADG of 3.74, which placed him second in the Red Angus Yellow Tag ADG leaders. The son of Brown Commitment X7787 has EPDs of BW -0.4, WW 67, YW 97, M 23 RFI 3.44, Eff 100 and MBT 108. He was consigned by McPhee Red Angus of Lodi, Calif. and has a WDA of 3.12 and 205 weight of 704. Courtesy photo

Progress Through Testing

SC 35.0 40.0 41.0 38.0 38.0 37.5 34.5 37.0 38.0 36.0

Eff 107 103 110 105 97 91 102 106 101 89

Dennis, Jennifer, Julia & Jaden Deppe Waverly, IA 319-239-1824 www.deppeangus.com

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A8

Slate of South Devon bulls bring excellent quality to 2017 Midland Bull Test The South Devon bulls averaged 2.99 for average daily gain (ADG) and 2.96 for weight per day of age (WDA) at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midland Bull Test.

Selling right after the Hereford cattle on April 6 this year, the South Devons bring quality and performance in lots 900 through 952.

Representing the North American South Devon Association, Jim Brown will also be present at the sale this year.

The leaders of the South Devon breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

ADG leaders Lot 932 easily topped the South Devon cattle for

ADG, with a score of 3.92.

From MJB Ranch in Lodge Grass, Mont., the son of DLCC MT Dundee 9Y has EPDs of BW 4.4, WW 50, YW 98, M 30, RFI 3.31, Eff 95 and MBT 110. He has a WDA of 3.39 and a 205 weight of 657.

Next, lot 920, another MJB Ranch consignment, has an ADG of 3.74. He was sired by BC Progress 315 U and has EPDs of BW 3.0, WW 59, YW 118, M 31, RFI 0.71, Eff 103 and MBT 112. He has a WDA of 3.11 and a 205 weight of 649.

In third place, another MJB Ranch bull, lot 935, posted an ADG of 3.64.

Out of MJB Black Out 476B, the bull has EPDs

of BW 4.0, WW 71, YW 119, M 33, RFI 1.04, Eff 103 and MBT 114. He has a WDA of 3.31 and a 205 weight of 739.

Also tying for third was lot 928, with an ADG of 3.64. The son of Cimarron Rebel 941W, he has EPDs of BW 3.2, WW 73, YW 122, M 35, RFI 0.46, Eff 100 and MBT 113. He is another consignment from MJB Ranch. He has a WDA of 3.31 and a 205 weight of 739.

In a close fourth place, lot 924 has an ADG of 3.63. He also has a WDA of 3.32 and a 205 weight of 683. With EPDs of BW

4.2, WW 64, YW 109, M 22, RFI -0.84, Eff 105 and MBT 114, he is a son of MMM Untouchable W810 and comes from MJB Ranch.

Rounding out the top five, with another close match, was lot 945, with an ADG of 3.61. Completing the sweep of the ADG category, MJB Ranch consigned the son of EBS Elker 538Z. He has EPDs of BW 6.7, WW 75, YW 127, M 35, RFI -2.12, Eff 109 and MBT 114. He has a WDA of 3.17 and a 205 weight of 669.

WDA leaders Lot 935 leads the

South Devons in terms of WDA, with a score of 3.43.

From MJB Ranch, the MJB Black Out 476B son has EPDs of BW 4.0, WW 71, YW 119, M 33, RFI 1.04, Eff 103 and MBT 114. He has an ADG of 3.64 and a 205 weight of 720.

Placing second was lot 932, with a WDA of 3.39.

From MJB Ranch in Lodge Grass, Mont., the son of DLCC MT Dundee 9Y has EPDs of BW 4.4, WW 50, YW 98, M 30, RFI 3.31, Eff 95 and MBT 110. He has a 205 weight of 657.

He also has an ADG of 3.64.

Closely following, lot 928 posted a WDA of 3.31. The bull also scored top with an ADG of 3.64.

The son of Cimarron Rebel 941W, he has EPDs of BW 3.2, WW 73, YW 122, M 35, RFI 0.46, Eff 100 and MBT 113. He is another consignment from MJB Ranch. He has a 205 weight of 739.

Then, lot 916 took

fourth place with a WDA of 3.26. From MJB Ranch, the BC Progress 315U son has EPDs of BW 1.9, WW 59, YW 115, M 33, RFI 1.41, Eff 100 and MBT 108.

Another BC Progress 315U son, lot 918, rounded out the WDA leaders, with a WDA of 3.24. He also posted an ADG of 3.59 and a 205 weight of 663. Also from MJB Ranch, the bull has EPDs of BW 3.1, WW 60, YW 114, M 33 and MBT 109.

Other performers The high performing South Devon bulls were lots 924, 935 and 945, which each posted a MBT Ratio of 114.

Lots 909, 913 and 949 took the prize for high efficiency South Devon bulls, with Efficiency Ratios of 114.

Results were compiled from the Final Test Report, available at midlandbulltest.com.

Leaders

South Devon breed - MJB Ranch consigned lot 928, which ended third for ADG and WDA for the breed at Midland Bull Test this year. with an ADG of 3.64. The son of Cimarron Rebel 941W, he has EPDs of BW 3.2, WW 73, YW 122, M 35, RFI 0.46, Eff 100 and MBT 113. He has a WDA of 3.31 and a 205 weight of 739. Courtesy photo

Second place ADG - Lot 920, an MJB Ranch consignment, has an ADG of 3.74. He was sired by BC Progress 315 U and has EPDs of BW 3.0, WW 59, YW 118, M 31, RFI 0.71, Eff 103 and MBT 112. He had a WDA of 3.11 and a 205 weight of 649. Courtesy photo

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3.43

114

119

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WW

Milk

YW

365

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+72

+39

+118

1357

107

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Lot 144

12-15-15

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ADG leaders Lot 932 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.92 Lot 920 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.74 Lot 928 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.64 Lot 935 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.64 Lot 924 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.63 Lot 945 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.61 WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 935 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.43 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 932 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.39 1 2 3 3 4 5

1-26-16

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ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.78

117

3.39

107

114

37.5

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

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-0.4

+60

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WDA

YR

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3.82

118

3.22

108

112

41.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

103

3.21

101

3.25

105

99

38.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+0.2

+47

+30

+89

1216

88

+2.2

+63

+34

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Lot 146

12-17-15

Sire: Tex Demand 2791

SF Hot Lotto 638

#1 AD White TG Group ag 1

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

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135

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117

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Top 1% $W +77.69 â&#x20AC;¢ $ F +92.43 Top 20% $B +130.29 Dam Prod 1 NR 110

Lot 147

12-20-15

Sire: BSF Hot Lotto 401

Lot Birth BW 145 12-17-15 +0.5

WW +58

Milk +27

YW +97

ADG 2.94

Rat 92

WDA 2.70

YR 93

IND 95

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A9

Salers bulls reach high quality for 2017 Midland Bull Test Sale

Salers cattle from across the country came to Midland Bull Test, with topnotch results. The Salers will lead the sale on April 6, with lots 800 to 872.

During the test, the Salers bulls averaged 2.95 for average daily gain (ADG) and 3.07 for weight per day of age (WDA). Because the Salers were part of Group Two at Midland Bull Test, RFI, Eff and MBT EPDs will be available online or on the day of the sale.

Representing the American Salers Association, Dean Pike will be present at the sale.

The leaders of the Salers breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

Green Tag ADG leaders To start the Green Tag Salers in the ADG category, lot 872 has an ADG of 3.49.

From MJB Ranch in Lodge Grass, Mont., the bull was sired by NJF Boulder 46B. He has a WDA of 2.86, 205 weight of 682 and EPDs of 1.7, WW 54, YW 91 and M 21.

A 3.32 ADG put lot 819 in second place for the group. He also posted

a WDA of 3.06 and 205 weight of 372. The son of Thats Zack 173 was consigned by TB Salers of Dante, S.D. and has EPDs of EPDs of BW 2.4, WW 46, YW 90 and M 20.

Then, lot 824 has an ADG of 3.20. In addition, he has a WDA of 3.4, 205 weight of 630 and EPDs of BW 1.4, WW 41, YW 76 and M 16. The bull is consigned by Elm Creek Ranch of Hebron, N.D. and sired

by AVS Out West 210X. Lot 858 gained 3.28 pounds per day on average, putting him in fourth place. The son of Ward Y108 Rainstar T202 is consigned by Rowell Cattle Co. in Ninnekah, Okla. He has EPDs of EPDs of BW 1.4, WW 41, YW 76 and M 16, a WDA of 3.05 and a 205 weight of 630.

Lots 834 and 863 tied for the fifth-highest ADG in the Green Tag Salers with an ADG of 3.25.

Lot 834 comes from Elm Creek Ranch and was sired by ECR Black Bear 430B. With a WDA of 3.36, he also has a 205 weight of 764 and EPDs of BW 1, WW 55, YW 97 and M 24.

From Parke Ranch in Drummond, Mont., lot 863 was sired by MAC F1 Humboldt 312Z. He has a WDA of 3.44, 205 weight of 819 and EPDs of BW 0.8 WW 63, YW 108 and M 21.

Purple Tag ADG leaders Lot 832 led the Salers Purple Tag bulls for ADG, with a score of 4.03.

From Elm Creek Ranch in Hebron, N.D., he was sired

by ECR 412B OF 361S and has EPDs of BW 0.5, WW 45, YW 88 and M 15. He has a WDA of 3.55 and a 205 weight of 683.

From Tower Hills Ranch in Shidler, Okla., lot 852 has an ADG of 3.87.

The SAVE Harvester 0338 son has EPDs of BW 1.5, WW 40, YW 74 and M 10.

He also has a WDA of 3.38 and a 205 weight of 664.

Next, lot 830 posted an ADG of 3.81. This Elm Creek Ranch-consigned bull has EPDs of BW 1.0, WW 57, YW 104 and M 20, a WDA of 3.57 and 205 weight of 771. He was sired

by AVS Farwest 902B. Lot 821â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ADG of 3.78 took the fourth place slot. Also from Elm Creek Ranch, the son of Connealy

Capitalist 028 has a WDA of 3.43, a 205 weight of 780 and EPDs of BW -0.5, WW 65, YW 113 and M 23.

Rounding out the ADG leaders for the Salers bulls at Midland Bull Test, lot 839 has an ADG of 3.69.

He is also from Elk Creek Ranch and was sired by SAV Resource 1441. He has EPDs of BW 3.7, WW 70, YW 123 and M 17. His 205 weight was 807 and WDA was 3.55.

Green Tag WDA leaders To start the WDA Green Tag leaders, lot 831 from Elm Creek Ranch posted a WDA of 3.58. The son of AVS Farwest 902B has EPDs of BW 1.6, WW 66, YW 115 and M 21. He has an ADG 3.14 and 205 weight of 830.

Next in the leaders for WDA in the Salers Green Tag bulls was lot 863 with a WDA of 3.44. From Parke Ranch in Drummond, Mont., the bull has EPDs of BW 0.8, WW 63, YW 108 and M 21. He was sired by Mac F1 Humboldt 312Z. He has an ADG of 3.25 and 205 weight of 819.

In third, lot 824 posted a WDA of 2.4. Also from

Leaders Green Tag ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 872 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.49 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 819 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.32 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 824 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.29 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 858 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.28 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 834 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.25 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 863 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.25 Purple Tag ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 832 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.03 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 852 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.87 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 830 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.81 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 821 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.78 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 839 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.69 Green Tag WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 831 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.58 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 863 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.44 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 824 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.4

4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 834 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.36 Purple Tag WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 830 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.57 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 832 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.55 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 839 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.55 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 827 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.46 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 821 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.43 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 807 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.43 ADG Sire Group Lots 820, 821 and 822 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sired by Connealy Capitalist WDA Sire Group Lots 820, 821 and 822 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sired by Connealy Capitalist

Elm Creek Ranch, he was sired by AVS Out West 210X and has an ADG of 3.29, 205 weight of 797 and EPDs of BW 1.8, WW 62, YW 115 and M 20.

Finishing the category, lot 834, another Elm Creek Ranch bull, has a WDA of 3.36. A son of ECR Black Bear 430 B, he has an ADG of 3.25, 205 weight of 764 and EPDs of BW 1, WW 55, YW 97 and M 24.

Purple Tag WDA leaders Lot 830 took the top place in the WDA category for the Purple Tag Salers, with a score of 3.57. He also posted an ADG of 3.81.

This Elm Creek Ranch-consigned bull has EPDs of BW 1.0, WW 57, YW 104 and M 20, a WDA of 3.57 and 205 weight of 771. He was sired by AVS Farwest 902B. Also performing high in the WDA category, lot 832 has a second-high WDA of 3.55 for the Purple Tag Salers. He has an ADG of 4.03. From Elm Creek Ranch in Hebron, N.D., he was sired by ECR 412B OF 361S and has EPDs of BW 0.5, WW 45, YW 88 and M 15. He has a 205 weight of 683.

Tying for the secondplace slot, Lot 839 also had a WDA of 3.55. He also had an ADG of 3.69. He is also from Elm Creek Ranch and

was sired by SAV Resource 1441. He has EPDs of BW 3.7, WW 70, YW 123 and M 17. His 205 weight was 807 and WDA was 3.55 In fourth, lot 827 had a WDA of 3.46. The son of Big Sky Revelation 408 has EPDs of BW 1.5, WW 59, YW 110 and M 23. He was also consigned by Elm Creek Ranch. He also has an ADG of 3.45 and 205 weight of 788.

Wrapping up the Purple Tag Salers WDA leaders, lot 807 has a WDA of 3.43. From Ahtanum Valley Salers of Yakima, Wash., he was sired by Vision Unanimous 1418.

His ADG was 3.25 and 205 weight was 814. The bull also has EPDs of BW 1.7, WW 42, YW 69 and M 8.

Sire groups Leading the sire groups for ADG were lots 820, 821 and 822, with ADGs of 3.02, 3.78 and 3.38, respectively. The bulls were consigned by Elm Creek Ranch and consigned by Connealy Capitalist.

The same bulls led the WDA contest for sire groups, with a 3.21, 3.42 and 3.22 WDA, respectively.

Results were compiled from the Final Test Report, available at midlandbulltest.com.

Green Tag Salers - To start the Green Tag Salers in the ADG category, lot 872 had an ADG of 3.49. From MJB Ranch in Lodge Grass, Mont., the bull was sired by NJF Boulder 46B. He has a WDA of 2.86, 205 weight of 682 and EPDs of 1.7, WW 54, YW 91 and M 21.

Courtesy photo

Selling sons of Payweight 1682 and Big Sky at MIDLAND and TREASURE TEST MIDLAND

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Midland Bull Test Sale

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A10

Impressive set of Simmentals performs at 55th Midland Bull Test A handful Simmental bulls were consigned to the Midland Bull Test, and lots 1000 through 1015 are slated to sell second in the April 6 bull sale this year.

With averages of 3.16 for average daily gain (ADG) and 3.21 for weight per day of age (WDA), the Simmental bulls were measured in Group Two of the test. As a result, data regarding their RFI, Efficiency Ratio and Midland Bull Test Index will be released by the end of March, prior to the sale.

Will Townsend represents the American Simmental Association at Midland Bull Test.

The leaders of the Simmental breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

ADG leaders Lot 1014 led the Simmental bulls for ADG, with a score of 4.12. The bull, consigned by Gengenbach Cattle Co. of Grant, Neb. was sired by BBS Top Cut X66 and has EPDs of BW 2.4, WW 83.5, YW 130.5 and M 19.9.

Next was lot 1015, also a BBS Top Cut X66 son from Gengenbach Cattle Co. The bull boasted an ADG of 3.84 with EPDs of BW 2.7, WW 82.9, YW 125.6 and M 14.0.

Rounding out the top bulls was lot 1004, consigned by Probst Livestock in Dillon, Mont. With an ADG of 3.7, the son of CCR Wide Range 9005A, the bull has EPDs of BW -0.3, WW 67.5, YW 109.3 and M 24.9.

In fourth, lot 1006 posted an ADG of 3.55.

The bull was consigned by

Probst Livestock of Dillon, Mont., and the SD Pioneer 2062 son had EPDs of BW 0.2, WW 56.3, YW 93.5 and M 18.4.

Finally, lot 1001, a son of Yardley Man of War B475, came in with an ADG of 3.34. The Probst Livestock consignment has EPDs of BW 0.6, WW 59.9 YW 90.7 and M 21.4. He also has a WDA of 3.48 and 205 weight of 724.

WDA leaders The leader in the Simmentals for WDA was lot 1009, with a WDA of 3.63.

Lot 1009 was consigned

by Sister Act Cattle of Belgrade, Mont. and was sired

by KOCH LC Monte 803U. His EPDs are BW 0.9, WW 62.7, YW 100.1 and M 21.6.

His ADG was 3.19 and 205 weight was 814.

Following was lot 1008, an Elm Creek Ranch consignment, with a WDA of 3.56. From Hebron, N.D., the son of MR NLC Upgrade U8676 and has EPDs of BW 1.5, WW 81.7, YW 127.9 and M 18.1. His ADG was 3.11, and he has a

Leaders

Gelbvieh bulls prove to be top quality at Midland The Gelbvieh bulls in lots 1050 through 1054 at the 2017 Midland Bull Test will sell on April 6 after the Simmentals, and the group has posted results that represented the top quality of the bulls.

With averages of 2.87 for average daily gain

Leaders ADG leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1050 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.32 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1051 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.19 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1054 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2.83 WDA leaders 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1053 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.2 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1051 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.1 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1054 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.06 High performing bull 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lot 1051 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Steve Smith Gelbvieh

(ADG) and 3.01 for weight per day of age (WDA), the bulls represented high quality from several consignors.

The American Gelbvieh Association is represented by Myron Edelman at the test.

The leaders of the Gelbvieh breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

ADG leaders Lot 1050 led the way for Gelbvieh ADG with an ADG of 3.32. The son of EXAR Complete 1887B. He has EPDs of BW 0.2, WW 64, YW 106, M 29, RFI 2.31, Eff 95 and MBT 97. He was consigned Steve Smith Gelbvieh of Lehi, Utah.

Coming in second, lot

1051 had an ADG of 3.19.

He was also consigned by Steve Smith Gelbvieh and sired by EXAR Complete 1887B. He has EPDs of BW -0.6, WW 68, YW 114, M 28, RFI -2.31, Eff 114 and MBT 108.

Lot 1054 came in third with an ADG of 2.83 He was consigned Swenson Gelbvieh of Little Falls, Minn. and has EPDs of BW 3.9, WW 83, YW 120, M 21, RFI 0.64, Eff 104 and MBT 106. He was sired by DGSC DGSC19B. WDA leaders Leading the Gelbvieh bulls for WDA was lot 1053 with a WDA of 3.2.

From Swenson Gelbvieh, he has EPDs of BW 3.4, WW 90, YW 118, M 36, RFI -3.42, Eff 114 and

MBT 103. He was sired

by XXB Drew 565K. Lot 1051 also came in second in the WDA category, with a score of 3.1.

Rounding out the Gelbvieh bulls for WDA was lot 1054, with a WDA of 3.06.

Index The top performing bull in the Gelbvieh breed was lot 1051, which has an MBT Ratio of 108.

He was followed by lot 1054, which has an index figure of 106.

Final results from the test can be found at midlandbulltest.com.

Results were compiled from the Final Test Report, available at midlandbulltest.com.

Tremendous Performance

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

1 2 3 4 5

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

WDA leaders Lot 1009 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.63 Lot 1008 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.56 Lot 1001 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.48 Lot 1014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.41 Lot 1011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.32

Top bull - Lot 1014 led the Simmental bulls for ADG, with a score of 4.12. The bull, consigned by Gengenbach Cattle Co. of Grant, Neb. was sired by BBS Top Cut X66 and has EPDs of BW 2.4, WW 83.5, YW 130.2 and M 19.9. He also came in fourth in the WDA contest.

Courtesy photo

L S S Black Granite D4 O 12-17-15 Sire: Connealy Black Granite T ADG

RAT

WDA

YR

IND

SC

4.09

128

3.40

111

112

44.5

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

EFF

+0.4

+58

+30

+99

1296

101

**FULL BROTHERS**

od

4 4 #MBDL (SBOJUF % WDA

3.57

111

3.33

BW

WW

Milk

+0.8

+57

+29

YR 107

IND

SC

106

42.0

YW

365

EFF

+98

1267

100

107 â&#x20AC;¢

ADG

2 3 7

IND

SC

3.25

101

3.33

106

105

44.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+2.4

+65

+18

+109

1259

93

Top 3% for WW and top 10% for YW in i50K results Top 5% for $B 150.50 %BN 1SPEVDUJPO /3 t :3

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.28

102

3.07

BW

WW

Milk

94

98

36.0

YW

365

+3.0

+57

+24

+104

Eff

1120

96

Top 17% for WW and top 10% for YW in i50K results

LOT 192 1-27-16

BW +1.3 +2.6

WW +52 +59

Milk +28 +29

YW ADG RAT WDA YR +93 3.51 109 3.13 99 +100 3.61 112 3.27 105

IND 104 105

SC 42.5 39.0

EFF 102 94

IND 107 104

SC 37.5 40.5

EFF 105 100

IND 108 103 103

SC 36.0 39.0 42.0

EFF 107 104 98

Two Sons of Basin Payweight 1682 Lot BD BW 240 12-20-15 -0.1 241 12-31-15 +1.9

WW +71 +59

Milk +28 +33

YW ADG RAT WDA YR +121 3.65 113 3.42 109 +102 3.47 108 3.25 103

Three Sons of MAR Innovation 251 BW +3.7 -0.3 +2.5

WW +64 +65 +59

Milk +24 +24 +25

YW +107 +108 +94

ADG 3.74 3.34 3.32

RAT 116 103 103

WDA 3.17 3.23 3.27

YR 103 101 102

Stewart Select Angus

SS

YR

Schmidt Unanimous 611

Two Additional Sons of Connealy Black Granite

BD 1-7-16 1-12-16 1-22-16

WDA

son of Poss Total Impact 745

Also Selling: Lot BD 238 1-4-16 239 1-14-16

Rat

107

L O T

12-18-15 Sire: Connealy Black Granite RAT

io

ADG

LOT 188 12-18-15

Lot 243 244 245

ADG leaders Lot 1014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4.12 Lot 1015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.84 Lot 1004 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.7 Lot 1006 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.55 Lot 1001 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.34

Schmidt Total Impact 603

2 3 6

ADG

1 2 3 4 5

Add Value To Your Program

#VMMT "WH 3BUJPT "%( t 8%" t .#5 *OEFY t &GG DG #9 Aup 1 o r G

205 weight of 790.

A WDA of 3.48 came in third for the WDA leaders from lot 1001.

Fourth place went to lot 1014, with a WDA of 3.41.

Rounding out the top five, lot 1011, a consignment from Sister Act Cattle that posted a WDA of 3.32.

The WLE Uno Mas X549son has EPDs of BW -0.5, WW 56.6, YW 84.4 and M 22.4 Full test results are available at midlandbulltest.com.

Andrew Stewart 1601 N. County Rd. 200E ~ Greensburg, IN 47240 812-614-4867 â&#x20AC;¢ 800-722-8557

Lot: 189 Birth: 12-26-15 BW -1.0

son of Vision Unanimous 1418

Sire: Basin Payweight 1682

IND WW Milk YW ADG RAT WDA YR SC +56 +26 +99 2.98 94 2.84 97 102 38.0 This Payweight son scanned IMF of 6.21 with a ratio of 151

Lot: 190 Birth: 12-27-15

Eff 101

Sire: EXAR Powerhouse 2077B

IND BW WW Milk YW ADG RAT WDA YR SC Eff +4.7 +60 +32 +103 3.29 102 3.19 101 103 39.0 93 EPDs rank in top 10% or higher for WW, YH, Doc, Milk and $B; top 15% for YW

Schmidt Century Farm Roger Schmidt 262-305-5735 West Bend, WI

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A11

Hereford bulls prove to be strong in 55th Midland Bull Test The April 6 sale at Midland Bull Test will feature Herefords, among other breeds, and the set of Herefords available proved to be top quality.

With averages for average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA) 2.97 and 2.89 respectively.

The leaders of the Hereford breed at Midland Bull Test for ADG and WDA are listed below.

ADG leaders In the top five Hereford bulls for ADG, lot 977 took the first-place slot with an ADG of 3.76. B&D Cattle

Co. of Riverton, Neb. consigned the son of Hyalite On Target 936, which has EPDs of BW 2.2, WW 66, YW 105, M 27, RFI 1.15 and Eff 103. His WDA was 3.3 and 205 weight was 650.

He was followed by lot 976, who posted a WDA of 3.32. The bull was consigned by Glade Haven Herefords of Penn Yan, N.Y. and sired by RST Times A Wastin 0124. He has a WDA of 2.98, 205 day weight of 667 and EPDs of BW 2.3, WW 66, YW 103, M 29, RFI 0.31 and Eff 100.

Lot 982 came in third with an ADG of 3.29. He has EPDs of BW 4.5, WW 53, YW 90, M 21, RFI -0.18, Eff 105 and MBT 105. The bull was sired by C CJC IRL Regal 3174 ET, has a WDA of 3.07, 205 weight of 704 and was consigned by Frisbie Cattle of Melba, Idaho.

Next, lot 981 posted an ADG of 3.21. Another Worrell Enterprises consignment, the bull was sired by THT9011X American Hereford 16A. He has EPDs of BW 4.8, WW 53, YW 96, M 30, RFI -0.66 and Eff 100. His WDA was 3.33

Offering 5 Outstanding Prospects * Featuring 3 Sons of McCumber Titanium 3127

and 205 weight was 689.

Lot 993 wrapped up the ADG leaders with an ADG of 3.15. From Hillsview Ranch in Sturgis, S.D., he has EPDs of BW 1.0, WW 55, YW 87, M 27, RFI 1.08, Eff 96 and MBT 103. The bull was sired by CSC 100W Irishman 26.

WDA leaders Topping the Herefords in WDA was lot 981 with a WDA of 3.33.

Lot 977 also scored in the top five for WDA, with a WDA of 3.3.

Coming in third was lot 980. With a WDA of 3.28, the bull has EPDs of

MVCC Titanium 613

Lot 369

YR

365

SC

3.24 105 3.16

96

1155

34.0

$W

$B

BW

WW Milk YW

+2.8

+57

+22

+101 +48.89

by KCF Bennett Strategy Z303 ET, he has EPDs of BW -0.1, WW 56, YW 89, M 20, RFI -1.01, Eff 96 and MBT 91.

Finally, finishing up the top five, lot 982 reported a WDA of 3.07.

Final results of the Midland Bull Test are available at midlandbulltest.com.

Leaders 1 2 3 4 5

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

ADG leaders Lot 977 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.76 Lot 976 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.32 Lot 982 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.29 Lot 981 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.21 Lot 993 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.15

1 2 3 4 5

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

WDA leaders Lot 981 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.33 Lot 977 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.3 Lot 980 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.28 Lot 975 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.10 Lot 982 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.07

$BMWJOH &BTF t &GGJDJFODZ t 1FSGPSNBODF ff #4 E 1 p Grou

ADG Rat WDA

BW 4.7, WW 51, YW 82, M 23, RFI -0.66 and Eff 100. He came from Worrell Enterprises LLC in Mason, Texas and was sired

by Worr Owen Tankeray Y79D ET. In fourth place, Spring Pond Farm of Branchport, N.Y. consigned lot 975, with a WDA of 3.10. Sired

Curtin Generation 6319

DA #3 Wn Tag e e r G 5 Eff # p1 Grou

Curtin Resource 6329

+119.28

Mat Grandam Production 5 NR 102

Lot 232

2-13-16 by McCumber Titanium 3127

2-7-16

MVCC Titanium 623

Lot 233

Sire: VAR Generation 2100

2-10-16

Sire: SAV Resource 1441

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

ADG Rat WDA

YR

365

SC

3.82

120

3.34

107

114

35.5

3.61

113

3.64

116

114

35.5

3.45

111

103

1242

39.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

BW

WW Milk YW

$W

$F

+1.4

+60

+29

+101

1245

128

+1.4

+59

+29

+112

1354

127

+2.0

+59

+60.24

+64.67

3.39 +29

+98

Dam Production 6 NR 109 â&#x20AC;¢ 1 YR 103

Lot 370

McCumber Titanium 3127 is a tremendous young sire, producing bulls with mass and muscle. His daughters are picture perfect. Co-owned with JR Ranch and McCumber Angus.

$W 66.43 (Top 5%) $B 152.21 (Top 4%) Maternal Grandam Production 6 NR 108 â&#x20AC;¢ 5 YR 104

Curtin Top Game 6314

3-15-16 by McCumber Titanium 3127

Lot 372 - MVCC Titanium 629 1-27-16

ADG Rat WDA

YR

365

SC

3.03

98

97

1163

36.0

BW

WW Milk YW

$W

$B

+2.3

+60

3.15 +22

+100 +49.29

+110.60

2-6-16

************************************ MVCC Gold Strike 621

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

365

SC

3.55

115

3.52

107

1285

38.5

BW

WW Milk YW

$W

$B

+2.1

+65

+29

+104 +62.20

+124.99

IMF EPD +1.05 Dam Production 2 NR 113

Lot 368

by Gold Strike of PAR 32

Also Selling a Son of Basin Yellowstone R178 Lot Birth

367 2-15-16

BW WW Milk

+2.1

+45

+27

YW ADG Rat WDA YR

+77

2.85

92

3.09

95

365

1144

Magic Valley Angus â&#x20AC;¢ Mesa, WA Mike Wieseler ~ 509-539-1442 â&#x20AC;¢ mt.ranch@live.com

SC

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

2.83

89

3.32

106

100

36.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+0.5

+62

+31

+107

1232

107

$W 76.24 (Top 1%) $B 160.75 (Top 2%) Maternal Grandam Production 6 NR 108 â&#x20AC;¢ 5 YR 104

Lot 221

McCumber Titanium 3127

2-26-16

$W 64.50 (Top 10%) $B 161.96 (Top 2%) Maternal Grandam Production 5 NR 101 â&#x20AC;¢ 3 YR 102

Sire: Sitz Top Game 561x

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.40

105

3.22

101

107

36

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+1.8

+65

+29

+111

1196

103

Curtin Weigh Up 6093

Top 10% $W 61.72 $B 147.85 Dam Production 5 NR 109 â&#x20AC;¢ 3 YR 106

Lot 215 1-15-16 Sire: Plattemere Weigh Up K360

Also Selling Lot

Birth

Sire

BW

WW

Milk

YW

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

Eff

213

12-21-15

Deer Valley All In

+.6

+67

+26

+113

2.9

91

2.79

96

102

36

103

214

12-27-15

KCF Bennett Southside

+.9

+71

+28

+119

3.33

105

3.15

104

104

37

92

216

1-21-16

Plattemere Weigh Up K360

-2.6

+62

+29

+109

3.05

96

3.05

100

102

38

95

218

1-1-16

Sitz Top Game 561X

+2.4

+58

+34

+99

3.11

96

3.28

103

108

39

124

220

2-6-16

Sitz Top Game 561X

+2.9

+61

+31

+105

3.11

96

3.31

104

99

40.5

97

38.0

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A12

Smaller calves respond more favorably to stress in castration events â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to see producers castrating smaller calves at branding or before. That strategy has worked well for a long time, and I think it will continue to do so,â&#x20AC;? notes Kevin Dickey, owner of Owl Creek Veterinary Service in Thermopolis.

Dickey notes that several steps can be taken to reduce stress and increase success during castration events.

Size â&#x20AC;&#x153;For producers who are doing knife castration, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re much better off with

calves that are less than 300 pounds, so the branding size calf, for reducing the stress of castration,â&#x20AC;? says Dickey.

He notes that as animals grow larger, blood loss can become a problem for producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my rule of thumb when they get bigger than 300 pounds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and especially much larger calves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when the high tension, Callicrate rubber bands, are much better,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

In addition to preventing blood loss in larger

animals, producers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be concerned with an open wound getting infected when dealing with small calves.

Dickey comments, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bands seem to be much easier on those bigger calves.â&#x20AC;?

To reduce stress, he advises producers to castrate smaller calves at branding or earlier in life.

Timing â&#x20AC;&#x153;The stress of castrating certainly can play a factor because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to realize that all of those

Castrating calves - Because castration is a stressful event, research shows that the earlier it is performed, the less traumatic it is on calves, according to Kevin Dickey of Owl Creek Veterinary Service in Thermopolis. Castration stress can impede the calves ability to grow or respond to vaccine if not timed properly. Saige Albert photo

in g u n i t n Co

erformance ity and P l a u Q A Tradition of Proven

Selling 5 Angus Bulls at FEATURING LOT 152 RL TEN X NEMESIS 6110

things that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing at branding are stressors,â&#x20AC;? says Dickey.

In addition to treatments, calves are typically separated from their mothers for a few hours, which is a tremendous stressor in a young animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we go through a stressful event, we think of the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which, to some degree, is going to play a role in how that calfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body reacts to vaccinations,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

However, Dickey notes the calf has several days to build an immune response to the vaccine, rather than needing a response during the stressful event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily need the calf to respond to it that day, but the less stressful our handling events are, the better off it is for that calfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall health and, in particular, its immune system,â&#x20AC;? explains Dickey.

An alternative to castrating at branding would be castrating earlier in life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of guys I know will put on small bands when the calves are born,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one less thing that has to be done at branding, and if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one less thing, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one less stressor.â&#x20AC;?

Pros and cons While some studies show potential gain benefits from delaying castration, Dickey notes that it is not guaranteed and overall, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Earlier castration makes it a less stressful event.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gains that a person might get from delaying castration we may also lose because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stressful and painful event, even

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gains that a person might get from delaying castration, we may also lose because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stressful and painful event even when we put the heavy bands on.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kevin Dickey,

Owl Creek Veterinary Service

when we put the heavy bands on,â&#x20AC;? says Dickey.

However, Dickey notes that it is imperative to ensure that both testicles are located and completely removed, which can be difficult in younger animals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a testicle, or in some cases even if a remnant of a testicle, is left, that calf is still going to produce enough testosterone to have some of the secondary sex characteristics,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can potentially be more aggressive, and if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re turned out with heifers, they may try to breed them.â&#x20AC;?

If an entire testicle is left, the animal may still be able to produces viable sperm and breed cows.

Dickey advises producers wait to castrate until both testicles can be located. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to be able to get both of them out or if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unable to locate both of them, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably better to not take either of them and let that calf mature a little,â&#x20AC;? continues Dickey.

Technique Regardless of what technique is chosen, castration is a painful event, and limiting bleeding is critical to reducing stress, says Dickey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regardless of age, castration is a painful event,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blood control is of primary importance. There is no reason to let calves lose an

excessive amount of blood at castration.â&#x20AC;?

Smaller animals that are 150 pounds or less do extremely well with cutting techniques and tend to recover more quickly than older animals from castration events.

Both techniques of cutting the bottom third of the scrotum or using a Newberry knife are satisfactory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be left open, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not anything we have to stitch up, and these techniques donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tend to bleed very badly.

They both tend to heal fairly quickly,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

When pulling the testicles down, Dickey explains that it is important to wear away at the blood vessels using a stripping motion with a knife rather than making a clean incision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should stretch it out, making sure that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making the diameter of that blood vessel very small. Then, honestly, we strive to do as much damage as we possibly can to promote blood clotting,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

Using a tool such as an emasculator can also help reduce the amount of bleeding, as it combines crushing force on the blood vessels with cutting away the testicles.

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr. net.

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2-11-16

by SAV Recharge 3436

ADG 3.72 â&#x20AC;˘ Rat 120 â&#x20AC;˘ WDA 3.56 â&#x20AC;˘ YR 109 â&#x20AC;˘ NR 109 â&#x20AC;˘ Bi t 80 â&#x20AC;˘ 205 775 â&#x20AC;˘ 365 1310 BW +2.5 â&#x20AC;˘ WW +68 â&#x20AC;˘ Milk +30 â&#x20AC;˘ YW +121 â&#x20AC;˘ SC 39.0 â&#x20AC;˘ W +69.85 â&#x20AC;˘ F +93.93 â&#x20AC;˘ B +152.63 YW F â&#x20AC;˘ 2 WW â&#x20AC;˘ 3 Wâ&#x20AC;˘ B

Also Selling Lot Birth

For more information on any of our bulls on test or our programs please contact:

Rock Lake Land and Cattle

Todd Platt and Family 8IFBUMBOE 8ZPNJOH t

588 591 592 593 594

Sire

12-17-15 Connealy Capitalist 028 2-14-16 Sackmann Resource 4110 3-14-16 SAV Recharge 3436 3-15-16 Basin Excitement 3-28-16 JVC Final Answer A301

BW WW +1.2 +1.0 +1.5 +0.3 +0.2

+52 +42 +57 +58 +52

Milk

YW

+26 +26 +30 +28 +30

+87 +81 +100 +102 +85

ADG Rat

WDA YR

2.86 2.83 2.87 3.04 2.90

2.68 2.93 3.17 3.29 3.25

94 93 94 100 95

94 97 98 102 101

$W +63.54 +51.00 +66.84 +62.03 +61.48

Pristine Springs Curtis Gay â&#x20AC;˘ (208) 308-8220 â&#x20AC;˘ Jerome, ID

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A13

Selection indexes useful for both seedstock, commercial cattle producers â&#x20AC;&#x153;Selection indexes, or in the Angus breed we call them dollar values, are very powerful selection tools,â&#x20AC;? said Angus Genetics, Inc. President Dan Moser.

Moser discussed the use of selection indexes for seedstock and commercial producers, as well as recent changes to the breedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indexes.

Indexes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for any one breeder to look at a set of expected progeny differences (EPDs) on a bull and say how much milk is worth, how much marbling is worth and how much calving ease is worth,â&#x20AC;? said Moser.

The benefit of using dollar values is that they take into account the economic impact of change in a unit of any traits and combine them into a usable number. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They basically boil it down to EPDs for profit,â&#x20AC;? he commented, noting that the profit is defined under certain scenarios. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to make sure that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using the indexes or the cash values that are most relevant to our own production situation,â&#x20AC;? continued Moser.

There are two general types of dollar values or selection indexes, which are terminal and maternal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Terminal indexes are used in situations where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re selling fed cattle, so

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing the benefits of traits such as marbling, yield grade and carcass weight, as well as feed efficiency compared to maternal indexes which are more focused on weaned calf production, so traits like weaning weight and calving ease become more relevant,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Terminal Moser explained that there are a wide array of index values available to Angus producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the main ones is beef value ($B). $B is a terminal sire index,â&#x20AC;? he continued.

Moser commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;$B is a tool to select genetics for cattle that will perform in the feedlot and also do very well on the rail in terms of meeting consumer expectations and reaping good premiums.â&#x20AC;?

The differences seen in $B are profit differences due to post-weaning performance in the feedlot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the traits used in the calculation include things like carcass weight and feed efficiency, as well as all of the carcass traits, including marbling, fat thickness and ribeye area,â&#x20AC;? said Moser.

Maternal The most commonly used maternal value is weaned calf value, or $W, said Moser. â&#x20AC;&#x153;$W is designed to predict profit differences for

producers who are buying Angus bulls to be used in a situation where calves are being sold at weaning, that some replacement females will be retained and put back into the herd, and then the cull heifers and the steer calves are being sold on to a backgrounder or a feeder,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

The $W index includes traits such as weaning weight, milk production and calving ease.

It also includes mature cow size, as well as a cow cost component called $EN, which describes cow energy value explained Moser. â&#x20AC;&#x153;$W takes into account both the revenue associated with heavier calves at weaning and the cost of those heavier milking females,â&#x20AC;? he continued.

Change When looking at the genetic trend in the Angus breed for $B, there is an obvious improvement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise that, due to an increase in carcass weight, marbling and those sorts of things, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re definitely seeing an improvement,â&#x20AC;? commented Moser.

At the same time, dry matter intake (DMI) has also increased over the last decade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising that if we select for heavier carcass weight and higher marbling that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to see some increase in feed intake,â&#x20AC;? he contin-

The Wyoming Livestock Roundup team would like to thank 2017 Livestock Marketeers Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Angell for all of his hard work in helping put together the Midland Bull Test Edition.

His incredible effort selling and laying out ads helps this edition come together each year.

ued.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;$W takes into account both the revenue associated with heavier calves at weaning and the cost of those heavier milking females.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dan Moser, Angus

In 2014, the equation for $B was changed to also consider the genetic information on feed intake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We changed the index and from that point on, we begin to see a decline in DMI. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty much a flat line from 2014-15 and a downward slope from 2015-16,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Moser explains that this change is most likely not due to a large number of breeders focusing on feed efficiency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rather, I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just them following the index and using that for selection.

As a result, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing an improvement in feed efficiency,â&#x20AC;? noted Moser.

Combination Moser noted that some

Genetics, Inc.

producers are concerned that other traits will be detrimentally affected if emphasis is placed on improving feed efficiency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes breeders ask, if we improve feed efficiency, will we hurt some of the other characteristics we think are important?â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, this highlights the power of index selection.â&#x20AC;?

Moser explained that when feed intake was added to the $B, there was still an increase in carcass weight

and marbling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just helps breeders identify the bulls that are most favorable for that combination of traits that ultimately generates more profitable cattle in the feeding phase of production,â&#x20AC;? concluded Moser.

Moser presented as part of the National Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beef Association Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Webinar Series.

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Using the data - Selection indexes provide an economic connection between economic value and EPDs, says Dan Moser of Angus Genetics, Inc. Value indexes allow producers to see a combined set of traits that focus on beef value, weaned calf value, feedlot value and more. Photo by Madeline Robinson, Lucky Lyn Photography

7 Top Angus Prospects KB - Weigh Up of B02 C40 ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.23

101

3.36

115

108

37.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+0.6

+75

+32

+132

1334

102

5PQ 8 t ' t #

Lot 332 12-16-15

by Plattemere Weigh Up K360

KB - Generation of A19 D08 ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

2.91

90

3.39

109

102

38.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+4.1

+70

+39

+124

1294

99

8.07 IMF

5PQ 8 t 5PQ #

%BN 1SPE /3 t )F TDBOOFE BO JNQSFTTJWF *.'

Lot 335 1-17-16

by VAR Generation 2100

KB - Recharge of A11 D19

Thanks, Bill!

Rat

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.5

108

3.44

109

110

37.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+2.2

+69

+32

+121

1298

114

5PQ 8 t 5PQ #

.BU (SBOEBN 1SPE /3 t :3

Lot 336 2-3-16

ADG

by SAV Recharge 3436

Also Selling: Lot 333 334 337 339

Photo by Madeline Robinson, Lucky Lyn Photography

Birth 12-18-15 1-9-16 2-10-16 3-1-16

Sire EXAR Denver 2002B KCF Bennett Absolute Deer Valley All In VAR Discovery 2240

BW +1.2 +1.3 +0.5 +1.7

WW +57 +61 +63 +76

Milk +24 +26 +27 +34

YW +105 +109 +110 +136

ADG Rat 3.47 108 3.15 99 3.09 97 3.09 96

KB ANGUS

WDA 3.33 3.16 3.22 3.30

YR 105 105 102 102

IND 100 101 100 98

Merritt, Michigan â&#x20AC;˘ Kevin Beckington â&#x20AC;˘ 734-368-8430 â&#x20AC;˘ www.kbangus.com

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A14

Calfhood vaccinations provide necessary protection for building immunity Newborn calves gain temporary immunity from many diseases when they ingest colostrum from the dam, since this â&#x20AC;&#x153;first milkâ&#x20AC;? contains maternal antibodies against pathogens the cow has encountered.

After a few weeks or months, this temporary protection for her calf begins to wane, however, and the calf must build his own immunities.

Timing Vaccinating calves at the proper time can help protect them until weaning age.

However, vaccinating them too soon may not stimulate much immune response.

If the calf still has maternal antibodies in its system, these tend to interfere with building his own immunities.

David Smith of Mississippi State University says many producers may not think through the reasoning why they are giving vaccines or when. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have our hands on the calves at branding, so this

is usually when people vaccinate,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not necessarily bad, but we need to think about the problems we are trying to solve with our vaccinations.â&#x20AC;?

Why vaccinate â&#x20AC;&#x153;For most producers, the problem they are trying to solve is calves getting sick after they are weaned as they go into a backgrounding phase or into the feedlot.

What most people are doing with calfhood vaccines is to stimulate some immunity to protect calves at weaning time,â&#x20AC;? Smith says.

Also, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standard practice to vaccinate against clostridial diseases â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including blackleg, malignant edema, redwater and gut infections caused by Clostridia perfringens and other bacteria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; because these deadly diseases may be a risk to calves at any age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are some of the diseases that can occur prior to weaning. Calfhood diseases include blackleg and some of the other clostridial

diseases like enterotoxemia, caused by several different types of C. perfringens and pathogens that cause scours, along with respiratory diseases like pneumonia. Each rancher needs to tailor a vaccine program to protect against the diseases that affect calves on his or her ranch,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Developing a program While programs may look different for different ranchers, Smith says producers may consider vaccinating cows prior to calving to provide â&#x20AC;&#x153;instant temporary protection against certain types of scours.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t vaccinate the calves themselves quickly enough because they might ingest pathogens by nursing a dirty udder or being born into a dirty environment at the same time they are ingesting their first colostrum,â&#x20AC;? he says, which means calves wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to mount an immune response from vaccination.

However, the antibod-

GROWTH + CALVING EASE D A R Blazin Start Q800

3-1-16

D A R Hindquarter Q804

Lot 574

By LD Emblazon 999 out of a Sitz Upward x Objective bred dam

By H A R B Hindquarter 473 JH out of a EF Complement 8088 daughter

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

3.03

100

3.36

108

822

1271

3.42

113

3.22

105

744

1234

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

$B

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

$B

-1.9

+70

+27

+118

33.0

+135.94

+1.0

+71

+37

+120

34.5

+135.47

D A R Solution Q810

2-28-16

hands on the calves or the cows to give vaccines.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The other half of the challenge is determining the most appropriate thing to be doing,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Other options Vaccination is just one strategy, according to Smith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also need to address management practices, for example making sure that cows and newborns mother up well and the calves get timely and adequate colostrum intake,â&#x20AC;? he explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also need to be cautious about introducing new cattle and new pathogens when calves are susceptible and minimize opportunities for calves to share pathogens with each other.â&#x20AC;?

Some diseases, like the clostridial diseases, are difficult to address with management so vaccination is an important tool to protect against these diseases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The clostridial vaccines are very effective and good insurance,â&#x20AC;? he says, noting that fighting enterotoxemia in calves may not be covered in some vaccines.

Smith notes that typical seven-way, eight-way or enterotoxemia vaccine only contains types C and D, yet some intestinal disease may be caused by type A or B, and ranchers lose calves in spite of vaccination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If this happens,â&#x20AC;? Smith says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ranchers need to work with their veterinarian to figure it out.â&#x20AC;?

Individual approaches No two ranches have the exact same situation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I talk to producers about a typical production system, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit everyone,â&#x20AC;? Smith explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People calving in sheds have different risks for calfhood diseases than people calving out on dry, clean pastures.â&#x20AC;?

He adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is why producers need to talk with their local veterinarian who knows their operation and understands their unique challenges, herd and management.â&#x20AC;?

Heather Smith Thomas is a correspondent to the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

3-2-16

Lot 570

HARB Hindquarter x EF Complement â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MATERNAL POWERHOUSE!

LD Emblazon 999 x 8N Upstart â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Calving Ease with added POWER!

ies in colostrum can protect them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we have scours problems in very young calves, we need to vaccinate the cow so she can give the calf immediate protection,â&#x20AC;? Smith comments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the other problems are longer term.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, we worry about blackleg all the way through the calfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, so we can vaccinate the calf at branding time or when we are putting a tag in soon after birth,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

Respiratory disease For respiratory disease, experts are still not sure about optimal age for vaccination, since calves in some herds get â&#x20AC;&#x153;summer pneumoniaâ&#x20AC;? while they are still nursing age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to work with a herd health veterinarian to determine a vaccine strategy,â&#x20AC;? Smith says.

He continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our recent study of summer pneumonia, about one herd out of five â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or 20 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; had problems with summer pneumonia in calves on any given year. Half the battle is figuring out when we can get our

D A R Admiration Q812

3-1-16

Branding program - Because of the risk of disease, which decreases calf weights, many producers choose to vaccinate at branding time, but Mississippi State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Smith comments that it is important to develop a vaccine program that takes into account timing, as well as vaccines used.

Heather Smith Thomas photo

TWO OUTSTANDING HERD SIRE PROSPECTS Lot 580

By KG Solution 0018 out of a Sitz Onward daughter ADG

Rat

WDA

3.72

122

BW

WW

-1.0

+60

SA HOT LOTTO 50

Lot 581

L O T

By EF Complement 8088 out of a Sitz Onward daughter

YR

205

365

ADG

Rat

WDA

3.40

105

742

1238

Milk

YW

SC

$B

+26

+111

36.0

+121.13

YR

205

365

3.47

114

BW

WW

3.42

105

729

1241

Milk

YW

SC

$B

-0.3

+60

+31

+109

35.0

+119.23

EF Complement x Sitz Upward â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Calving Ease, Maternal, & Growth %BN 1SPE /3 t :3

KG Solution x Sitz Upward â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SURE FIRE HEIFER BULL WITH GROWTH %BN 1SPE /3 t :3

2 0 0 2-5-16

ADG

Rat.

WDA

YR

IND

SC

3.74

116

3.34

104

107

38.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+2.0

+64

+29

+112

1234

101

$W +75.54, $B +119.30 Out of a Bon View New Design 878 x BR Midland dam Dam Production 4 NR 103 â&#x20AC;˘ 1 YR 103

Sire: BSF Hot Lotto 1401

ALSO SELLING: Lot

Sire

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$B

SC

571

LD Emblazon 999

3.15

3.33

105

+64

33.0

LD Emblazon 999

108

3.50

+68

+119

+133.16

35.0

573

H A R B Hindquarter 473 JH

3.00

99

3.05

100

+69

+34

+111

35.0

577

#BTJO 1BZXFJHIU

98

100

-0.1

+68

+157.71

37.5

578

Connealy Black Granite

3.13

101

106

+1.9

+64

+101

+143.55

39.0

579

SAV Resource 1441

3.10

100

100

+3.5

+66

+115

37.0

#BTJO 1BZXFJHIU

3.19

103

100

+1.5

+61

+107

+146.47

37.0

ALL BULLS 50K GENOMICS TESTED &RG\ 'L[ Ť Ť www.dixangus.com

SCHROEDER APOLLO X 82

d 4 PounG ainer ADG

Rat.

WDA

YR

IND

SC

4.14

128

3.47

113

113

39.5

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

Eff

+0.4

+57

+33

+110

1343

100

Out of an outstanding Ten X daughter Dam Production 3 NR 106

L O T 2 0 1 1-6-16

Sire: Kramers Apollo 317

Schroeder AnguS

o

d

d

#6 AD White G t Group AG 1

o d

â&#x20AC;˘ 6 -

Clarence, IA

7- 0

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page A15

Allen looks to dairy industry for guidance into future genetic developments in beef “The genetic landscape is changing,” says Mark Allen, director of genetic technology at Trans Ova Genetics.

“It’s changed very much in the dairy industry, and it’s changed very, very fast.”

Allen adds, “We’ll see similar things happen in the beef industry.”

As a result of the changes, he notes that it will be up to producers to pay attention to how their operation and goals fit in the developments that are coming forward.

As an example, Allen notes that top bull producers in the dairy industry sell only X chromosome-bearing semen to the market, which ensures that someone else doesn’t produce the next big genomic son.

“That’s happening already in the dairy industry,” he says. “The genetic landscape is changing very, very quickly.”

As example, Allen cites in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, sexed semen and more as technologies that are frequently used in the entirety of the dairy herd but aren’t as ubiquitous in beef cattle.

Technology improvements Technology will continue to dominate the future of genetics in the commercial cattle industry, he says.

“In the beef industry, we’re a step back from where the dairy industry is,” Allen says. “I don’t think we’re behind because of the way our industry is structured, but the beef industry is now starting to use some of the technology that the dairy sector is using.”

Targeted genetics will also emerge with an increasing prevalence.

“As we talk about genetic gain and targeted genetics, we’re making animals that hit a certain endpoint that proces-

sors are asking for,” he says.

“We’re making animals to certain specifications in the dairy industry.”

For example, cheese processors are looking for certain qualities from the dairy industry, and Allen asserts that the beef industry can do the same thing to meet the different demands of different endusers.

“We have to think about how we can meet their needs and make healthy cows while also improving production efficiency,” Allen comments.

Generation interval The major change Allen sees in the beef industry will be in reducing the generation interval.

“We can take genetic selection and really tear the generation interval apart,” he says.

Allens and a team of researchers did a study in 2015 where they reduced the interval between generations using IVF and enucleated cells.

“We made IVF embryos using Jersey genetics,” he explains. “We put five embryos in a recipient female.

We then went in and flushed the fetuses, just like we flush embryos, and recovered what was there.”

Then, the fetuses are used as a cell line, which is then used to produce millions of cells.

“One of the difficulties with genomics using embryo biopsies is that it takes a lot of DNA. If we can’t get enough DNA, we have to amplify what we do have, and when we do that, we create errors,” he explains. “There are logistical challenges with using genomics in embryos.”

However, using fetal cell lines enabled the researchers to harness enough DNA for genomic evolution on a highdensity chip.

“We freeze the rest of the cells back, just like in genetic preservation where we put a cell line away for an opportunity to make an identical copy at a later point in time,” he explains.

The cells are then analyzed, and the top genetic lines could later be used to produce embryos using somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. Allen notes that the research resulted in the number two indexing Jersey bull in the industry, which hadn’t even been born at that point.

“This technology makes an identical copy of the cells, just like twinning,” Allen says. “We put that DNA in an enucleated oocyte and give it an electrical current, and it starts growing into an embryo.”

As a result, their 15 embryos produced five healthy Jersey bull calves that are currently being used strictly for sperm production.

“We’re taking the generation interval and knocking it back another step,” Allen says.

Protecting genetics “We have beef producers looking at the dairy model,” Allen says.

One area for opportunity for Allen comes in utilizing genomically enhanced EPDs on animals that have no progeny, doing IVF on them at a young age, creating pregnancies and then using sexed semen to make a large number of bulls.

“That allows us to move the elite genetics of that female much closer to commercial clientele,” Allen explains. “We can take lessons from dairy and see how fast we can move genetics from the seedstock producer to the client.”

Data As the ability to predict

the genetics of young animals improves, Allen notes that more programs that utilize young animals will likely appear.

“A big part of that is going to be leveraging commercial data from beef herds like the dairy industry has,” he says.

“It’s beautiful the way the dairy industry progeny tests,” Allen continue. “We generate all this data, but it’s fragmented in different sectors. The industry needs to make an effort in genetic evaluation to pieces together the massive amounts of com-

mercial data that we have.”

When all the genetic data is compiled, Allen forecasts that genetic evaluation in the beef industry will move to a new level.

Continued improvements “We know that F1 females are great in certain environments, but it’s hard to make them because I have to use a certain portion of my cows. I have to have either a base of Angus or Hereford, and then there’s waste in the system,” he says, “but we need a true F1 to capture heterosis and the advantages of inputs and outputs, as well as

Outstanding prospects from Fisher White #8 ADG up 1 Tag Gro

FISHER WAYLON 608 ADG

2 Outstanding angus Bulls

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

4.07

126

3.24

103

772

1218

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

IND

+2.5

+64 +24 +111 36.0 111 Eff 100, $W +53.95, $B +171.71 (Top 1%) Maternal brother to Lot 289

LOT 294

L o t

Drysdale Bullseye 6288 1-12-16

by Mogck Bullseye Dam Production 6 NR 100

4 5 0

2-20-16

Sire: Baldridge Waylon W34

FISHER COLUMBUS 694 ADG

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

3.86

121

3.02

97

643

1133

BW

WW

Milk

YW

SC

IND

+1.1

+56 +27 +101 34.0 107 Eff 106, $W +54.34, $B +148.01 (Top 1%) Dam Production 2 NR 109 • 2 YR 112

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

SC

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$W

$F

$B

3.28

106

3.38

107

786

1289

38.5

+1.8

+65

+31

+103

+65.32

+65.42

+139.36

1-23-16

by Connealy Black Granite Maternal Dam Production 9 NR 103 • 7 YR 104

4 5 1

ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

205

365

SC

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$W

$F

$B

3.63

119

3.29

109

787

1290

40.0

+0.5

+54

+23

+90

+49.87

+42.72

+133.16

D rysDale F arms , I nc .

Willard Drysdale • Wa as a, MN 507-450-5841

LOT 289 1-30-16

Sire: Bartels Columbus 310

EXAR Remedy 0522B elling 4 u h mate Bartel olum u 310 the 2014 $80,000 Midland Bull 2nd top seller, and 3 u h mate Baldridge Wa lon W34.

L o t

Drysdale Granite 6101

longevity, health and fertility.”

Embryo systems provide the opportunity to raise the F1 generation to improve the cowherd while also providing a finishing system utilizing a terminal sire.

“I get really excited thinking about how to create a model that supplies a more consistent, uniform beef product,” Allen comments. “I think there is an opportunity to use reproductive data to see genetic improvement.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

All bulls are maternal brothers to EXAR Remedy 0522B, the $22,000 selection by Sandpoint Cattle in Nebraska.

Lot 290 291 293 295 296

Sire BW Bartels Columbus 310 +1.5 Bartels Columbus 310 +1.5 Baldridge Waylon W34 +1.8 Baldridge Waylon W34 +2.3 Bartels Columbus 310 +3.3

WW Milk +56 +26 +58 +27 +64 +24 +60 +24 +57 +25

YW +104 +103 +113 +106 +101

ADG 2.98 3.36 3.67 3.19 3.08

RAT WDA YR $B SC IND 94 2.87 94 +161.99 36.0 98 106 2.93 95 +141.00 35.0 100 114 3.18 101 +154.97 35.5 110 99 3.18 98 +166.10 38.0 100 95 2.97 94 +143.40 36.5 98

FISHER ANGUS

#LAYTON &ISHER s 610 N. 2nd Okeene, Oklahoma 73763

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page A16

Cold storage report from USDA supports bullish beef markets in 2017

On March 22, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released its Cold Storage Report, and analysts at the Daily Livestock Report (DLR), a daily publication from Steiner Consulting Group, noted that the report didn’t have any major surprises.

“Broadly speaking, we thought the report buttressed the bullish case for beef prices in the very near term,” DLR said.

Total supplies of beef, pork, chicken and turkey as of Feb. 28 were 2.24 billion pounds, a decrease of 1.6 percent from the same time last year. However, the figure was 2.9 percent above a month earlier.

“The pace of increase in inventory was in line with the five-year average,” they added. “Normally we would expect cold storage inventories to pull back a bit in March before rising into the spring and early summer.”

Season increases during the summer months correspond to higher meat production, as well as the necessity for end-users to increase their stocks in preparation for higher sales.

Total meat supplies USDA reported that total red meat supplies in freezers were up one percent from the previous month but down six percent from the last year.

“Total pounds of beef in freezers were down seven percent from the previous month and down one percent from last year,” USDA noted. “Frozen pork supplies were up nine percent from the previous month but down nine percent from last year.”

Additionally, stocks of pork bellies were up 15 percent from last month but down 74 percent from last year.

Veal supplies were 16.8 million pounds, which is 91 percent of Jan. 31 levels, and lamb and mutton was at 25.7 million pounds, for a total other red meat supply of 42.5 million pounds, a figure that is up by 10 percent from the January report and down by 10 percent from a year ago.

Regionally, the total beef in cold storage is the largest in the Middle Atlantic Region, with 167.5 million pounds, followed by the West North Central Region with 112.5 million pounds and the Pacific Region with 80.1 million pounds.

Beef The amount of beef in cold storage as of Feb. 28, according to the report, was estimated at 502.4 million pounds. The figure is 0.8 percent below a year ago but six percent higher than the five-year average.

In addition, boneless beef makes up 463.9 million pounds, and beef cuts make up 38.5 million pounds of the cold storage.

“The main reason we view the beef cold storage numbers as supportive is the pace of stock drawdown in February,” DLR explained.

“Inventories declined by 35.5 million pounds from January levels, or 6.6 percent.”

The decline is far above what is typical for the first quarter of the year.

“Inventories declined even as beef supplies continued to increase,” they added. “Robust exports, a notable decline in imports and favorable weather conditions likely all contributed to larger-thanexpected stock depletion.”

Looking regionally, DLR added that the Middle Atlantic Region has seen large stock for a long time, as a result of end users taking advantage of low prices by increasing their storage amounts.

“However, those stocks are quickly being depleted, and we expect an even sharper drawdown in March, given very high prices for fat trimmings,” DLR commented.

Other proteins Looking at competing proteins, pork was nine percent below a year ago and 11.3 percent below the five-year average.

“While the overall supply of pork in cold storage remains below a year ago, the inventory build for the month was a bit higher than we normally see at this time,” DLR said. “Inventories of pork products increased nine percent from the previous month when the five-year average increase is around six percent.”

They further noted that the majority of the increase was due to an increase in ham.

“High ham prices in January and possibly a slower export pace may have contributed to the increase in ham cold storage stock,” DLR explained.

For the poultry industry, DLR noted that chicken inventories increased by 1.5 percent during the month of February. Typi-

Storage records

USDA’s Cold Storage Report also includes data about record levels of meat storage.

The record-high beef in cold storage was in 2016, when storage levels hit 506.4 million pounds. The year 1933 marked the record low amount of beef in cold storage, when only 23.5 million pounds were seen in storage. Records were first collected in December 1915.

Total frozen meat was at an all-time high in 1919, when 1.436 billion pounds of meat were in storage.

The all-time low occurred in 1958. At that time, 416.7 million pounds of red meat were in storage.

cally, February sees a drawdown in stock during the month.

“Breast meat inventories remain burdensome,” they said. “The inventory of leg quarters increased three percent from the previous month but remains 13 percent under the fiveyear average.”

Saige Albert, managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, compiled this article from the March 23 Daily Livestock Report and USDA’s March 22 Cold Storage Report.

Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

Total Frozen Beef - United States

Storage report - USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported on March 22 that cold storage of beef in the U.S. was down in February from January 2017, a trend that it typical. However, stocks depleted more quickly over the time period as compared to year’s past. USDA graph

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

2017 MIDLAND BULL TEST

SECTION B Page B1

Genetic selection tools used, refined for almost 100 years in beef industry The beginning of modern beef cattle improvement in the U.S. dates back to the 1930s, when researchers kept performance records at the Livestock Research Station in Miles City, Mont.

“If we fast forward about 30 to 40 years, we see the founding of the Beef Improvement Federation with the publishing of their first guidelines in 1970,” said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Beef Genetics Specialist Matt Spangler.

During a webinar on March 13 for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen to Cattlemen series, Spangler discussed the history and evolution of genetic selection tools that are available to producers.

Fundamentals “If we think about fundamentally what an expected progeny difference (EPD) is, essentially, an EPD gives us a sense for how a sire’s offspring might compare to the offspring of other sires,” explained Spangler.

The data for a bull’s EPD is ultimately an average of how a bull’s offspring compare to their contemporaries in various traits.

Spangler noted that the resulting averages are then adjusted to more accurately reflect the accuracy of the

results.

“We then regress, or we can think about it as shrinking, those values proportional to an animal’s accuracy, so lower accuracy animals, we regress toward the mean or shrink them more,” he said.

As more information is collected on an animal’s offspring or on the animal itself, the animal gains accuracy and the numbers in the EPD are allowed to increase in magnitude.

Confusion Even looking back 10 years into EPDs and genomics, Spangler noted that data was extremely confusing to interpret.

“If we opened up bull sale catalogs, we’d see something where we had a plethora of traits, adjusted measurements, ratios, EPDs, the associated accuracy values and then, in a disjointed fashion, we had results of genomic tests,” he said.

The data made it difficult for readers to determine how to compare a genomic test for a trait such as marbling to the animal’s EPD for that trait.

“To be honest, in this context, there was no way to really do that, but we saw the light, and we began to augment our traditional EPDs with genomic infor-

mation,” explained Spangler. “We formed what we called genomically enhanced EPDs to increase accuracy and also alleviate the confusion faced by cattle producers.”

Genomic “In terms of EPDs, really what we’re taking a measure of is the cumulative genetic effects across the genome of an animal,” said Spangler. “We get that information by understanding how an animal compares to their contemporaries and, as a parent, how their offspring compares to their own contemporaries.”

He continued, “With genomics, we have the opportunity to actually look across the genome and ask the question, which DNA variances have an effect on the trait and how large is that effect?”

Through the use of genomics, researchers are able to identify the variants, assign numerical values and estimate their influence on the trait at an early age in the animal’s life.

Spangler cautioned producers that, while helpful, genomics only offers a snapshot.

“We don’t know all of the DNA variants that impact a particular trait, and as a consequence, it sheds a little bit of light. It does not

give the complete picture,” he commented.

He also noted that accuracy is not akin to precision or certainty of which allele an animal will pass on to their offspring.

“In reality, each mating is going to pass some random set of alleles on to the next generation,” continued Spangler. “Even for a high accuracy sire, we’re still going to see variation in the offspring.”

Benefits According to Spangler, the benefit of genomic selection for a commercial bull buyer is the mitigation of risk.

“We’re able to buy bulls that have more confidence associated with the repeats,” he said.

In the case of seedstock producers, genomic selection allows for faster genetic progress.

“With genomics, we can increase the accuracy of an animal’s genetic merit much earlier in life and thus increase the genetic change,” explains Spangler.

He noted, however, when bulls are genomically tested, it does not mean that their EPDs will necessarily move in a favorable direction.

“It becomes more accurate, which means it could move up or down,” com-

“In terms of EPDs, really what we’re taking a measure of is the cumulative genetic effects across the genome of an animal.” – Matt

Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln mented Spangler.

For a bull to become highly accurate in a lowly heritable trait, Spangler explained that he would need 3,800 daughters in production with fertility records.

“In genomics, what we hope to do is, before he ever sires a single calf, make it akin to a bull that has maybe already sired 20 to 40 offspring,” he continued.

He concluded by not-

ing that, while there is some level of accuracy with only using a genomic test or a traditional EPD, using both optimizes accuracy.

“It’s important to merge these two tools – genomics and traditional EPDs – to take advantage of both sources of information,” said Spangler.

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Advancements in technology - As the beef industry has progressed, the tools for genetic selection have also progressed, said Matt Spangler of University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a result, bull buyers are able to mitigate risk by selecting proven stock. Photo by Madeline Robinson, Lucky Lyn Photography

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~ Selling 16 Bulls Sired By ~ Jason Harrison (406) 962-3149 Jason Cell (406) 855-2692 Doug Harrison (406) 962-3867 Boyd, Montana • HARB@earthlink.net

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B2

Both disease and management factors can impact cattle breed-up rates As producers approach the breeding season, many questions abound regarding what breed-up rate should be targeted and how to diagnose if a herd has suboptimal conception rates.

Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan shares advice with cattle producers on identifying conception rate problems, possible causes and how to diagnose and treat breedup problems with their veterinarian.

Identifying When deciding whether a herd has a breed-up problem, Logan suggests that producers determine the number of animals that continue to cycle after breeding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a producer sees cows or heifers coming back into heat on a regular basis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or even if cattle are coming back into heat after perhaps missing one or two heat cycles, they should be concerned about their conception rates,â&#x20AC;? says Logan.

An acceptable target conception rate will vary from operation to operation and between age groups, he explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to vary between operations and producers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably going to vary some between age brackets of cattle that make up that herd, too,â&#x20AC;? continues

Logan.

Younger animals will typically have a lower conception rate than mature cows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our coming-twoyear-old heifers are going to have a perhaps slightly lower conception rate than our mature adults, although cows that are ancient shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be included in that target conception rate,â&#x20AC;? he notes.

In many range operations,a conception rate of at least 90 percent is considered acceptable for aged cows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A 95 percent conception rate is probably more along the lines of what is considered good general management in Wyoming,â&#x20AC;? continues Logan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our first calf heifers are going to be a little lower than that, and a lot of times, our three-yearolds are going to be a little lower than that 95 percent.

Producers should strive to hit that level, though.â&#x20AC;?

Diseases According to Logan, poor conception rates may be the result of disease presence in the herd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Disease issues we would be concerned about include trichomoniasis, leptospirosis, vibrio and potentially the viral complex of diseases infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea,â&#x20AC;? he

says.

Aside from trichomoniasis, he notes that the diseases can be prevented through the use of proper vaccination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pretty much all of these diseases can be vaccinated against effectively, with the exception of trichomoniasis. There is a vaccine for trichomoniasis, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a good vaccine,â&#x20AC;? continues Logan.

When working to prevent any disease, Logan stresses that good management is critical. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think for most of those diseases, but especially trichomoniasis, good management is really paramount to prevent and keep a herd clean of disease,â&#x20AC;? comments Logan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the things in that good management strategy would be testing our bulls.â&#x20AC;?

Other factors In addition to disease, other stressors, including poor nutrition, could be the culprits of less-thandesired breed-up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trace mineral deficiencies, such as zinc, selenium and copper, can have an effect. Deficiencies in vitamin A and vitamin E can also have an impact on breed-up rates,â&#x20AC;? explains Logan.

Indirect stressors on the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nutrition and immune system, such as

drought or weather, should also be considered.

Logan continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Genetics is another factor that should be considered in all of these things.â&#x20AC;?

Bulls Bull infertility or subfertility could be another underlying cause for low breed-up rates.

As such, Logan recommends, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bulls should be tested prior to the breeding season and should have a breeding soundness exam by a licensed veterinarian.â&#x20AC;?

Conception rates are also influenced by bull-tocow stocking ratios during the breeding season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Depending on the terrain, feed availability and pasture size, the bullto-cow ratio should be adjusted between one to 15 and one to 25,â&#x20AC;? comments Logan.

Bull libido should also be observed to make sure that the animal is actively breeding cycling cows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bulls should also be observed during the breeding season to make sure that they are not â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;low libidoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bulls,â&#x20AC;? he notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bulls can be fertile but will not settle many cows if they are not interested in breeding them.â&#x20AC;?

Diagnosing After determining that a herd does have breed-up problems, Logan advises

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think for most of those diseases, but especially trichomoniasis, good management is really paramount to prevent and keep a herd clean of disease.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jim Logan, Wyoming

Livestock Board

producers start by contacting their local veterinarian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be prudent for ranchers to consult with a veterinarian and have the veterinarian do some diagnostic work,â&#x20AC;? says Logan.

He notes that a veterinarian is able to diagnose disease-related causes, as well as other possible causes, through diagnostic work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That diagnostic work wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily be confined to disease issues

Addressing breeding problems - If producers see less than desired breed-up in their cattle, the root cause may be disease, stress, nutrition, infertility or bull libido, according to Wyoming State Veterinarian Jim Logan. Photo by Madeline Robinson, Lucky Lyn Photography

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but could also be related to the nutritional and other factors that need to be looked into,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

Logan concludes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the local veterinarian or herd veterinarian is the very best source to help work with a producer to pinpoint the cause of low breed-up.â&#x20AC;?

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr. net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page B3

Research finds consumers prioritize food health, price, safety â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all have opinions about food â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s produced, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in it, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s producing it and how it impacts our health,â&#x20AC;? says The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) in their 2016 consumer trust research summary, titled, Inside the Minds of Influencers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, not all opinions affect change.â&#x20AC;?

In the study, CFI looks specifically at who among the consumer population is responsible for fueling consumer concern and then looks at understanding why those concerns are present. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CFI identifies the voices that impact the decisions of others as they make choices at the grocery store or form opinions about the products, processes, people and brands that define todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food system,â&#x20AC;? the report says.

CFI research shows two consumer groups are actually involved in food conversations and examines how to impact those people.

Consumer types Consumers fall into five categories identified

by CFI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; peak performers, comfort seekers, providers, food fatalists and wellness seekers.

Using a pioneering technology, MotivIndex, the consumer types were identified to pinpoint values, motivation, beliefs, concerns, emotional triggers and behaviors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The approach gives us a new level of insight, allowing us to understand how and where they connect online, emerging trends, trusted brands and sources and channels they use to shape their opinions about food agriculture,â&#x20AC;?

CFI says.

They continue, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In

other words, we can identify who and what are changing beliefs, attitudes and behaviors, understanding why ideas move into or out of the marketplace.â&#x20AC;?

The understanding allows the agriculture industry to identify areas where values intersect to help instill trust among consumers.

Looking at consumers By looking at their motivations, feelings and actions around food, specifically how food equates to living well, CFI noted that each group identifies with food differently. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wellness seekers define living well as treating their bodies like a temple and focusing on the future,â&#x20AC;? CFI explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely to find them at the local farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market shopping for organic produce and telling others about their healthy lifestyle.â&#x20AC;?

Conversely, comfort seekers look at living well as living in the moment and enjoying the pleasures associated with life.

Neither group, suggests CFI research, drives change in the marketplace.

Rather, peak performers tend to influence providers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research shows that peak performers are one group driving change, helping to set trends and significantly influencing providers,â&#x20AC;? CFI says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Providers never feel quite good enough, and the last thing they want is to be seen as neglectful parents or be caught snoozing when something new is known about the food they buy for their family.â&#x20AC;?

Providers tend to feel uncomfortable and anxious

WHAT PAYS

THE

when confronted with food issues, and they are uncertain as to whether or not they have the appropriate information to make decisions related to food. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ease the anxiety, they look to peak performers and other consumer types for guidance,â&#x20AC;? CFI says.

CFI further emphasizes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This influence is why more Americans are flocking towards various attributes of food that they consider evolved and that signify progress. We see that demand for food that is less processed, simpler labels and labels that indicate the product is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free fromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; everything from gluten to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).â&#x20AC;?

Engaging With an idea of who is looking for information and where that information is coming from, CFI says that agriculture has the opportunity to provide information to providers to make them feel more secure about the decisions they make. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The research illustrates an opportunity for the food system to be more engaged in the conversation about food and earn trust, particularly with the large segment of providers who are simply looking for balanced information and validation that what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buying and consuming is the responsible decision,â&#x20AC;? they explain.

For all consumers, the industry can define what â&#x20AC;&#x153;evolved foodâ&#x20AC;? is and share health and performance

benefits from new ingredients, as well as including the ag voice in digital discussions.

At the same time, CFI says the food industry should establish and develop the link between food and performance and showcase how products have involved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can also pinpoint conversation themes,â&#x20AC;? CFI explains.

For example, when dealing with providers, they suggest supporting and empowering them while providing balanced information. The technique will instill confidence about the value of processed foods and ultimately earn trust.

Current concerns â&#x20AC;&#x153;Respondents were given 19 life issues to rank, and food issues are clearly top of mind,â&#x20AC;? CFI says about their latest consumer studies.

The latest research shows that nine items were of concern for two out of three Americans, and six of those nine related to the food system.

Of the top concerns, 71 percent noted rising healthcare costs, 69 percent targeted keeping healthy food affordable and 68 percent cited the U.S. economy.

Also, 68 percent were concerned about food safety, 67 percent were concerned about food affordability and 65 percent were concerned about imported food safety.

Sixty-one percent of respondents noted that rising energy costs were top of mind, and 60 percent

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research illustrates and opportunity for the food system to be more engaged in the conversation about food and earn trust.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The

Center for Food Integrity

wanted to know that food is actually what is listed on the label. Finally, 60 percent were concerned that there is enough food to feed people in the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, a majority of consumers have consistently expressed concerns in the survey about rising cost of food and the affordability of food,â&#x20AC;? CFI says, adding that keeping healthy food affordable has been a top concern for three years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the first time, we included â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;food is actually what is listed on the label,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which fell in the top nine issues.â&#x20AC;?

Sources of information With these concerns, Americans are reaching out to the internet, friends and family for their information related to food. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise that 17 percent of respondents ranked websites as their number one source for food system information.

That figure increases to 27 percent when Google is

factored in,â&#x20AC;? CFI says.

The influence of peers is prominent, however, as 17 percent of respondents in their survey noted that friends not online were their source of information. Fifteen percent look to family not online for food information, and 11 percent seek food information from their local television. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More consumers are crowdsourcing information â&#x20AC;&#x201C; accessing information from many sources â&#x20AC;&#x201C; particularly websites and friends and family not online,â&#x20AC;? CFI says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They then synthesize that information with their values and beliefs to form opinions.â&#x20AC;?

CFI emphasizes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A strong, focused and sustained online strategy is the best way to engage.â&#x20AC;?

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

Attitudes about agriculture In their latest consumer research, The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) asked respondents about their impression about agriculture and knowledge of farming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The results showed a very positive or somewhat positive view of agriculture,â&#x20AC;? CFI says, noting that 25 percent were very positive and 43 percent were somewhat positive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A majority â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 56 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; say they know a little about farming, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very strong desire to learn more about how food is produced and where it comes from.â&#x20AC;?

In fact, 80 percent of consumers indicated that they were interested in learning more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This high level of interest in learning more about farming represents an opportunity for agriculture to engage and earn trust, particularly in an environment where consumers feel more empowered than ever before to access information.â&#x20AC;?

More research from The Center for Food Integrity can be found at foodintegrity.org.

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Lot 127: Feed Eff Ratio 103 â&#x20AC;˘ MBT Index 106 Lot 124: Feed Eff Ratio 112 â&#x20AC;˘ MBT Index 108

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B4

Stage of production, environment have large impact on mineral requirements “The mineral requirements for our herd totally depend on who we are, where we are and when we are there,” said retired Montana State University Beef Nutrition Specialist Ray Ansotegui.

Ansotegui discussed the importance of trace minerals in the cattle herd’s diet during the 2017 Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days. He also addressed challenges associated with diagnosing mineral problems.

Importance “A balanced intake of bioavailable trace minerals is crucial to maintaining the physiological systems of a cow,” said Ansotegui.

He explained that trace minerals are critical elements that influence ever aspect of a cow’s body.

“They’re involved in things such as bone development, fertility, appetite and the nervous system.

They’re part of everything,” continued Ansotegui.

Minerals that are most likely to be deficient in grazing animals include copper, zinc, cobalt, selenium and manganese.

“Depending on where we’re living, selenium can go the other way, too, and cause some real problems if we have an excess,” he cautioned.

Catching mineral deficiencies before they are

extreme can be a challenge.

“The real problem is, the first thing we’re going to suffer is immunity and enzyme function, so vaccines are not going to work as well,” he commented.

“Next, we’re not going to get maximum growth or fertility.

Ansotegui noted, “Finally, there’s clinical signs. That’s when something is really amuck, but until we get to this point, we really don’t know.”

Requirements When looking at National Research Council (NRC) nutrient tables, Ansotegui noted that the data look at nutrient averages throughout the year, rather than looking at stage of production.

“The average copper requirement is 10 parts per million (ppm) year-round, and zinc is 30 ppm,” he said. “There are peaks and valleys that go on during the year that can cause problems.”

Current NRC research suggests that copper requirements may be higher during gestation, and zinc requirements may be higher during lactation.

Ansotegui stated, “That is true. There are data that show these fluctuations, and we see it in the field.”

When looking at copper requirements during different stages of produc-

tion, Ansotegui explained that the requirement varies from 10 to 17 ppm.

“When we look at zinc, we can see similar things.

Growth requires 30 ppm, and we can get by at 20 ppm for gestation,” he continued.

Interactions According to Ansotegui, there are two different types of mineral deficiencies to be aware of.

“We have two types of mineral deficiencies, which are primary and secondary,” he said.

A primary mineral deficiency is where not enough of a particular mineral is in the diet.

Alternatively, a secondary deficiency is where another compound interferes with the animal’s ability to absorb the mineral.

Ansotegui explained that numerous minerals interact with each other, and minerals must be kept in proper ratios.

“Zinc and copper work together very positively, but if we get them out of balance, they can be negative to each other,” continued Ansotegui. “Iron is involved with zinc and copper. Having high molybdenum will mean we need a lot more copper and zinc in the diet. Sulfur can do the same thing.”

Problems If producers suspect

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“Don’t just scoop water off the top,” he stressed.

“What we need to do is to have it stirred up. Now, those sulfates are back up in the water.”

Ansotegui concluded, “Don’t overlook the obvious. Determine the basal diet, trace mineral levels, limitations and look at the antagonists.”

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Choosing minerals - When cattle producers are looking for the proper mineral to use in supplementing their cattle, they should look at requirements of cattle and the environment they are living in, but it is also important to consider interactions between minerals, as well. Saige Albert photo

A N G U S

3.86

+43

“It was a dry year, so the water levels were down,” he explained, noting that sulfates precipitate out and sit at the bottom of water sources.

He continued, “When a cow drinks, she doesn’t gently sip of the top of the tank, she’s in the middle of it.”

As such, Ansotegui advised producers to mix water and take a sample from the middle to get a more accurate water test.

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Ansotegui, Montana State University

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a mineral problem in their herd’s diet, Ansotegui advised them to follow a series of steps.

“The first thing to do is a forage analysis. Then, look at sampling water or doing liver biopsies to see where we’re at. Also, we may consult somebody to come in from the outside,” he said.

He noted that water can be extremely variable in mineral content from yearto-year.

Ansotegui illustrated with a case he worked where a ranch periodically had problems with sulfur toxicity.

ADG 3.39 3.05 3.08 2.83

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SC 36.0 36.0 39.5 35.5 36.5

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page B5

Semen handling, insemination technique impact success of artificial insemination Artificially inseminating cows requires skill and a strong knowledge and understanding about how to properly thaw semen and artificially inseminate cattle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are a lot of factors affecting the fertility of conventional and sexed semen,â&#x20AC;? says Joe Dalton, a University of Idaho Extension educator.

Dalton emphasizes that semen handling and insemination technique are all important to ensuring a successful breeding season.

Semen handling When thawing semen for use in artificial insemination, Dalton explains that there is no set number of straws that should be thawed at one time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should not be thawing any more than we can deposit in cows within 10 to 15 minutes,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s based on laboratory research looking at thawing straws and holding them across time.â&#x20AC;?

Research shows that motility of sperm decreases after 10 to 15 minutes, which decreases fertilization.

A study in Brazil from 2012 thawed straws of semen, 10 at a time, breeding cows immediately after that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look at fertility and sequential insemination

number,â&#x20AC;? Dalton explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The variation in fertility goes from 58 percent success on the first straw to 40 percent on the ninth straw.â&#x20AC;?

Next, the study looked at the bulls involved in the study, and each bull also had different success rate of their semen.

Individual success â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to know our comfort zone,â&#x20AC;? Dalton says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I can have cows locked up in headlocks and am able to thaw three straws, load three guns and inseminate three animals in six minutes efficiently, then I have met that standard.â&#x20AC;?

However, if producers are only able to do two, he says that is perfectly acceptable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technicians have to know their own comfort zone,â&#x20AC;? he says.

At the same time, location for insemination is also important, Dalton adds, noting that the thaw box should be located near to where insemination is occurring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Managing time is very important, so we should have everything located so that we can do that,â&#x20AC;? Dalton comments.

Other thawing tips In addition to not thawing too many straws at once, Dalton explains that it is

important that straws not touch in the thaw bath. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research has shown that we can get damage to sperm cells when they touch each other in the thaw bath,â&#x20AC;? he says.

When using a thaw bath, Dalton also notes that the bath should be the appropriate temperature for thawing semen, which will be impacted by the size of the straw, as well as the number of straws thawed at once. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we put 10 straws in the bath, the water gets cold,â&#x20AC;?

Dalton explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if we can get them all deposited in a good amount of time, we need to wait for that bath to get back to temperature or weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to thaw semen at a less than optimal temperature.â&#x20AC;?

Sexed semen Utilizing sexed semen also has some additional challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ABS Global did research where they thawed sexed semen and looked at progressive motility over time,â&#x20AC;? Dalton explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They looked at a thawing at 98.6 degrees in an optimal situation, at 108 degrees in heat shock and at 40 degrees, representing cold shock.â&#x20AC;?

At 10 to 15 minutes, the motility of the semen was

largely reduced, and Dalton says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The interpretation of this research is that our time limit should be closer to five to eight minutes when handling sexed semen.â&#x20AC;?

Semen quality Additional factors in artificial insemination success are semen quality and number of sperm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have compensable seminal traits, which are viability or morphology traits impairing sperm transport,â&#x20AC;?

Dalton says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Impaired sperm transport further limits ovum penetration, limiting fertilization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sperm donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to the site, which means it is unable to fertilize,â&#x20AC;? he adds.

However, motility impairments can be overcome by increasing sperm numbers. Other compensable seminal traits can be overcome with increasing the dose.

However, un-compensable traits cannot be overcome. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Un-compensable seminal traits point to incompetence of the sperm,â&#x20AC;? Dalton explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sperm gets there and initiates fertilization, but it cannot maintain the embryo.â&#x20AC;?

For example, if the DNA in otherwise normal sperm is

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are a lot of factors aďŹ&#x20AC;ecting the fertility of conventional and sexed semen.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joe

Dalton, University of Idaho

damaged, it will be ineffective at fertilizing eggs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Different bulls have different fertility levels,â&#x20AC;?

Dalton says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The take home message here is that more is not always better when we look at sperm numbers. If we have un-compensable traits, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if we inseminate with 30 million cells or 120 million cells, they will not work.â&#x20AC;?

Big picture messages â&#x20AC;&#x153;The take home messages here are that we have compensable seminal traits, and we have to ask ourselves about the ability of inseminated sperm to initiate fertilization,â&#x20AC;? Dalton says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t initiate fertilization as a result of compen-

Semen deposition If semen is properly thawed, it is also important to get it properly deposited in the uterus of the cow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our technicians have to deposit semen in the appropriate location,â&#x20AC;? University of Idaho Extension Educator Joe Dalton says.

He emphasizes that semen should be deposited past the cervix in the uterine body.

He comments, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no conclusive evidence that inseminating any further provides any benefit to fertility. The data is murky as to whether inserting in the uterine body or uterine horn is important.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea is to get past the cervix,â&#x20AC;? Dalton adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re past the cervix, deposit the semen and get out.â&#x20AC;?

rtificially in eminating - When artificially inseminating cattle, utilizing correct technique and timing is important to making sure the highest percentage of cattle are bred. Courtesy photo

sable traits, then it is possible to overcome some of those fertility deficiencies.â&#x20AC;?

However, he noted that un-compensable seminal traits are likely not easily overcome, as the competence of the sperm to fertilize the embryo are reduced. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To reduce the risk of un-compensable traits, we need to use semen from studs where morphology is a routine part of the evaluation,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

At the same time, proper semen handling is critical to the success of artificial insemination.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

Timing To put it all together, Joe Dalton of University of Idaho Extension says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have to look at the biological event contributing to the optimization of artificial insemination in cattle. There are a lot of balls we have to juggle here.â&#x20AC;?

A masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thesis by Billy Walker performed numerous ultrasounds on cattle to determine the onset of ovulation.

The results showed that cows ovulate 24 hours after the onset of standing activity, which has also been showed with researchers in other areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was also work done at Kansas State that showed the leutenizing hormone surge was tied to the onset of standing activity,â&#x20AC;? Dalton says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is also a rise in estradiol, which is about three hours afterwards.â&#x20AC;?

Dalton continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the things that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consider very often is how long it takes for the sperm to get to the site of fertilization.â&#x20AC;?

Research has shown that sperm transport may take anywhere from six to 12 hours. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In dairy cattle at least, we see a hump about 12 hours after the onset of estrus, and that allows for sperm transport, capacitation and ovulation to occur but not leave sperm in the tract for too long,â&#x20AC;? he says.

In beef cattle, transition to a split-time insemination from a co-synch insemination strategy allows a 33 percent increased in fertilization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a 16-hour interval for timed artificial insemination, all the system is set up for higher fertility,â&#x20AC;? Dalton comments.

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SCO 39.0 39.0 36.0 35.0 40.0

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B6

Sexed semen provides opportunities for beef cattle producers if used properly As ranchers look for ways to manage their herds more efficiently, Colorado State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s George Seidel, Jr. experiments with using sexed semen in beef cattle.

While the dairy industry has made wide use of sexing calves, Seidel sees promise in the beef indus-

try, as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sexed semen is a genetic trait, but it is complicated, slow and expensive,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the right equipment, it can be above 90 percent accurate.â&#x20AC;?

However, one instrument used in the procedure can cost $500,000.

Also, only fresh semen can be used. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Semen can not be collected at the farm, frozen, sent to a lab, unfrozen, sorted for sex, refrozen and sent back to the farm,â&#x20AC;? Seidel explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work that way.â&#x20AC;?

Currently, sexed semen

is also an extra $15 to $20 over traditional AI semen.

Challenges In fact, the biggest problem with sexing semen is fertility, but it is an area being rapidly addressed by technology, he says.

With sexed semen, Seidel says any type of

Sexed semen - While sexed semen is commonly seen as only have application in the seedstock or dairy industries, Colorado State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s George Seidel says it may be useful for commercial producers, as well, depending on their production goals. Saige Albert photo

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Using sexed semen only works when things are done well.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; George Seidel,

Jr., Colorado State University estrus synchronization scheme can be used, but cattle need to be bred on detected heat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We tend to breed once a day 12 to 14 hours after detected heat,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fixed time artificial insemination (AI) is not recommended for sexed semen, but people do it anyway.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we are going to use sexed semen with fixed time AI, put patches on the cows and breed those that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tripped the following day, or we will have a real wreck,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

In vitro fertilization with sexed semen is also becoming more popular because less sperm are needed for fertilization.

Seidel says a technician can collect oocytes from the cow on the farm, put the eggs into an incubator operated on batteries and ship the incubator by FedEx to a lab.

Technicians at a lab can fertilize the eggs with fresh semen and ship the fertilized eggs back to the farm to be implanted into donor cows.

Beef cattle application Seidel sees a real need for sexed semen in the future of beef cattle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right no, we breed our herd and get half maternal traits and half paternal traits,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one kind of cattle that fits everything. On the paternal side, the steer calves will sell for more than heifer calves because they weigh more and gain better, which makes them worth more,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The key is being able to breed part of the herd for female replacements and breed the rest of the herd for a terminal cross.â&#x20AC;?

As technology improves, Seidel hopes other management concerns will improve, too.

Herd management is also key. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Using sexed semen only works when things are done well. It requires good management, nutrition, semen, heat detection and a well-trained technician. Management of fertility is vital for success,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Changing thinking As everyone talks about how agriculture is going to feed an increasing world population,

Seidel and a small group of research partners are looking at ways to more efficiently produce beef from birth to slaughter and every point in between. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While there is a lot of thinking outside the box, we need a foundation for thinking inside the box first,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We already AI heifers, but we may need to start AIing more cows with the cost of bulls.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also need to look at vaccination programs, crossbreeding and animal identification, and we need to do these things right before thinking outside the box,â&#x20AC;? he continues.

Seidel believes in leaving the bulls with his cows until the cows are pregnancy checked in the fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An experienced veterinarian can stage the pregnancies, and ultrasound is a tool that can help with that,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I sell all my late calvers.

They may fit into someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calving program really well.â&#x20AC;?

Traditional management In his own beef operation, heifers are also the key. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I keep back about 50 percent more replacement heifers than I need and sell the biggest, prettiest five percent of those because, although they will make nice big cows, they are not the most profitable in my operation,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

Seidel also bypasses traditional management tactics like reproductive tract scoring, ovulation synchronization programs and pelvic measurements of heifers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ovulation synchronization programs push heifers toward puberty whether they are ready or not,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I let nature decide if that heifer is going to get pregnant or not. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pelvic measure because some heifers with a small pelvis grow a bigger one later and some with a bigger pelvis have problems anyway, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel it is of much help in my own operation.â&#x20AC;?

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page B7

U.S. Meat Export Federation sees continued growth, strength in export markets 2016 marked the 40th year since the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) was formed, and President and CEO Philip Seng commented, “It’s intriguing to look back at the progress we’ve made in putting U.S. meat on the world’s table.”

As they continue to develop beef markets worldwide, USMEF noted, “From January to October 2016, U.S. beef export volume was nine percent above the previous year’s pace at 954,868 metric tons, while export value was $5.1 billion, down three percent.”

Food shows Among the marketing events that USMEF participates in, they attended Gulfood 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a regional trade show that now has global implications.

“U.S. beef is a niche in this region, a high-end, high niche, especially for folks in the food service sector,” commented Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for marketing. “But if we take the family-style dining sector – for example, with burgers and a lot chucks and briskets going into ground beef production – this is a good example of a segment where we’ve become much more competitive.”

USMEF’s Joe Schuele added, “Interest in U.S. beef was strong at Gulfood, including inquiries from Saudi Arabian buyers.”

Since 2012, Saudi Arabian markets have been closed to U.S. buyers as a result of a bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related ban.

“We were last in that market four years ago, and it was a $31 million market,” Halstrom explained.

“With a population in excess of 29 million, relatively wealthy people, there is definitely demand for U.S. beef.”

There aren’t many plants that have been approved to export beef to Saudi Arabia, but Halstrom noted that USMEF will soon see export volumes to Saudi Arabia increase.

South Korea The market in South

Korea has also seen remarkable performance.

Schuele explains, “While Korean supermarket chains were once reluctant to feature U.S. beef, they are now adding more and more chilled U.S. beef cuts to their meat cases. U.S. steaks, barbecue cuts and highend burgers are also rapidly gaining popularity with restaurant patrons in Korea.”

Through November 2016, the U.S. beef industry exported a value of $930 million, which marked a 25 percent increase from the year before.

“The major growth was on the foodservice and retail side,” commented Jihae Yang, USMEF director in Korea.

“The retail success for the year 2016 was impressive in terms of growth and the recovery of the U.S. beef market.”

She continued, “They have been very reluctant to feature U.S. beef or increase the share of U.S. beef. But now they are enjoying the high profit and the high receptivity of Korean consumers, and they are adding more and more chilled U.S. beef items into their regular chilled case.”

For the foodservice sector, steak and American barbeque dominate the trend.

“People love to have the protein-based meal, and I don’t think that trend will change in the shortterm,” Yang added. “U.S. beef is a perfect fit for that kind of menu.”

Despite the recent success, Schuele noted that Korean consumers are still focused and concerned about food safety issues, which has been a challenge.

“Our communication goal is touching on the safety side in the beginning of market penetration and ultimately moving toward product quality,” Yang said, noting that USMEF currently focuses on product quality and an enjoyable eating experience in Korea as food safety concerns are defrayed.

Latin America South of the U.S.

border, Latin American markets are seeing opportunity as USMEF focuses on new ways of marketing and merchandising.

In early 2017, the U.S. hosted retail meat buyers from Central America, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean at the Annual Meat Conference.

“The Annual Meat Conference is a really good anchor for our retail team,” said USMEF Caribbean Representative Liz Wunderlich. “We’re trying to show these buyers new ideas and new ways to hopefully make money. We have sellers and we have buyers.”

Wunderlich explained that the conference is used as an opportunity to showcase the latest and greatest retail products.

“This event is handson in that we are doing a lot of instruction,” she said. “We’re looking at aging of animals for beef, young animals, old ani-

mals, whether its been aged or not, how much marbling it has and what impact that has.”

Additionally, the 2016 USMEF Latin American Product Showcase also provided the chance for exporters to visit with buyers about the product needs.

“The event also included educational sessions that provided buyers with detailed information about the positive attributes of U.S. red meat and highlighted value opportunities offered by underutilized pork and beef cuts,” USMEF said.

U.S. beef producers who also attended the event noted that they are confident in the improving export markets.

Rod Gray of Harrison, Neb. commented, “My biggest takeaway is the relationships that are being built between importers and exporters, and the trust they are gaining.”

“For the sake of future generations, it’s essential that we continue to look forward and never stop extolling the benefits of global trade.” – Philip Seng, U.S. Meat Export

Federation

Continued growth As the red meat industry continues to become an increasingly globalized industry, Seng said, “Over the past year, it has become abundantly clear that, when it comes to convincing our friends and neighbors of the value of international trade, U.S. agriculture still has a long row to hoe.”

Over the past year, exports continued to grow to Japan, Mexico, China and more, and opportunities in the Middle East, Taiwan, Russia and the

surrounding region are expanding.

“By all means, let’s be proud of our latest milestone and all the successes USMEF and its industry partners have achieved in the past 40 years,” Seng commented. “But for the sake of future generations, it’s essential that we continue to look forward and never stop extolling the benefits of global trade.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

Learn more about the U.S. Meat Export Federation and their latest endeavors at usmef.org.

MJB Brings a Tremendous Offering to Midland Selling 33 South Devon Bulls at Midland on April 6 Red and Black Superior Efficiency South Devon Bulls will improve the Profit and Efficiency in your cowherd

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Lot 922 Lot 909 917 920 922 924 935

% PB FB PB FB FB FB

Color B B R B B B

Lot 924

Sire MJB Swagger 330Z BC Progress 315U BC Progress 315U MMM Untouchable W810 MMM Untouchable W810 MJB Blackout 4678

B. Wgt 81# 75# 80# 79# 88# 90#

205 695 719 649 628 683 725

ADG 3.07 2.73 3.74 2.94 3.63 3.64

Rat 103 91 125 98 121 122

RFI INDEX -4.08 107 -1.39 103 0.71 112 -1.23 101 -0.84 114 1.04 114

SC 40.5 37.0 39.5 39.0 39.0 37.0

SALERS

About USMEF The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is a non-profit trade association that works to create opportunities for U.S. beef, pork, lamb and veal by developing international markets.

USMEF has offices in 11 countries around the world, as well as headquarters in Denver, Colo. Additionally, representatives from the organization cover six regions. Overall, USMEF is involved in market development activities in 92 countries around the world.

“The mission of USMEF is to increase the value and profitability of the U.S. beef, pork and lamb industries by enhancing demand for their products in export markets through a dynamic partnership of all stakeholders,” said the organization.

USMEF works under six strategic priorities, including total carcass utilization, trade support, market access, buyer education and loyalty, market presence and product image.

Lot 871 Lot 871 872

% 74.2 PB

Color B BB

Sire NJF Boulder 468 NJF Boulder 468

BW +2.0 +1.7

Lot 872 WW +57 +54

YW +98 +91

Milk +23 +21

B. Wgt 84# 75#

205 711 682

ADG 3.15 3.29

Rat 101 123

RFI IND * * * *

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2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B8

Body condition score important indicator of past health, future needs “Body condition score (BCS) is a way to try and create some energy reserves and estimate those energy reserves in a cow,” said University of Wyoming Extension Beef Specialist Steve Paisley.

Typically one score is worth 75 to 80 pounds of body weight, explained Paisley.

Regardless of nutritional expertise, he noted that it is imperative for cattle managers to monitor body condition.

“Monitoring condition is a pretty easy thing we seem to talk about all of the time, but it’s an important tool to consider,” he continued.

Rather than simply mobilizing fat when energy resources are low, animals mobilize all of their body stores including internal organ mass, muscle mass and adipose tissue.

The rate at which each body store is mobilized is influenced by the animal’s BCS. “Typically thinner cows are mobilizing a higher percentage of muscle than fat, but at all points along that scale, those cows are not only mobilizing fat but all body tissues,” stressed Paisley.

Study Paisley highlighted a study done at the University of Wyoming that

compared body condition to body composition in two groups of heifers that scored a four and a six BCS. “These were all threeyear-old heifers on a fat supplementation study.

There was about 180pound difference between a body condition score of four versus six,” he said.

He noted that BCS four animals had no measurable external fat, and those that scored a six had 0.2 inches of fat.

The loin eye area of each animal was then measured using an ultrasound machine.

“Body condition score four heifers had a 6.8-square-inch loin eye, which is pretty small for a 1,000-pound heifer,” continued Paisley. “That was compared to a 9.8-squareinch loin eye on our body condition score six heifers.”

Paisley stressed that both groups of animals should have been similar since they were the same age, had the same sires and were raised in the same herd.

“However, we saw about a three-square-inch difference in loin eye on those cows, which indicates they not only mobilize fat, but they mobilize body tissue, as well,” he commented.

Predictions According to Paisley, BCS is not only an indicator of an animal’s past nutrition but of their future, as well.

“Body condition is a way to estimate that cow’s condition at that point in time, but it probably reflects on a couple things,” he said.

Paisley continued, “It talks about not only the previous nutrition and how the cow reached that state, but it’s a good way to predict what her future nutritional needs will be and what it is going to take to maintain her.”

An animal’s current body condition aids managers in deciding what steps need to be taken to achieve their needed condition.

Paisley asked, “Do we just need to maintain that cow now or do we need to add weight to that cow? It helps us predict what those future needs will be.”

System When assigning a BCS to an animal, Paisley explained that BCS is measured on a numerical scale from one to nine, with one being extremely thin and nine being obese.

“Essentially, we try to estimate that body condition score of the cow, and we rank them on a one to nine scale look at key areas

of fat deposition,” he said.

Some of the critical areas to evaluate are over the ribs, loin, hooks, pins and tailhead.

Paisley continued, “We ask the questions, ‘Are they sharp or are they smoothed over? How sharp is that front shoulder? Is there any fill in the flank or fill in the brisket?’”

“All of these are areas that we look at when we estimate body condition score, and we are ideally shooting for a score in the middle at a five or six,” he commented.

Scoring Cattle that score a BCS of three or four will not have any excess fat and typically are angular in appearance.

“These are going to be cattle where we can make out individual ribs,”

“Body condition is a way to estimate that cow’s condition at that point in time.” – Steve

Paisley, University of Wyoming said Paisley. “When we talk about their topline or along their back, it’s fairly uneven, which means we can make out some of those spinous processes.”

He noted that animals in this score range are also sharp over their hooks, pins and over the front shoulder, and they don’t have extensive fill in their brisket or flank.

One of the largest differences between a BCS three and four is the hair coat, said Paisley.

He explained, “A cow with a body condition score of three has a pretty rough hair coat.”

Alternatively, cattle

that score a five or six are fairly smooth across their topline, over the hooks, pins and front shoulder.

“These cows are typically in a little better shape,” continued Paisley. “We’re starting to get a little bit of fill in the brisket and more fill across the midsection.”

While it can be difficult to reach in range situations, he concluded, “That’s what we shoot for.”

Paisley spoke during the 2017 Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, held in early February.

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Double D Performance D-D Resource 11 ADG

Lot 558 2-15-16

by SAV Resource 1441

Rat

WDA

YR

SC

3.63

117

BW

WW

3.22

98

37.0

Milk

YW

365

+5.1

+73

+29

+131

1180

$W +65.23 (Top 5%) $B +177.75 (Top 1%) Maternal Brother to Lot 560 Dam Production 2 NR 106

D-D Heavyduty 43 ADG

Rat

WDA

YR

SC

3.55

115

3.49

108

41.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

+4.6

+62

+28

+106

1293

$W +54.40 (Top 20%) $B +165.95 (Top 1%) Maternal Grandam Production 3 NR 111 • 3 YR 110

Lot Birth

Sire

557 565 566 567 568 569

SAV Resource 1441 Hoover Bullseye N97 SAV 707 Rito 9969 EXAR Resistol 3701B Hoover Bullseye N97 S Chisum 6175

2-13-16 2-24-16 1-20-16 1-10-16 2-2-16 1-7-16

+57 +54 +52 +55 +57 +52

*

*

L O T 5 0 0

Lot 560 1-31-16

BW WW Milk +3.5 +3.1 +2.4 +1.9 +2.8 +4.0

Cow condition - The body condition of cows can help determine how much fat they have and where they are likely to pull energy from when intake doesn’t meet their requirements. Thin cows mobilize more muscle than fat when they are stressed, said UW Extension Beef Specialist Steve Paisley. Photo by Madeline Robinson, Lucky Lyn Photography

+27 +28 +20 +29 +23 +22

YW +109 +86 +91 +101 +96 +91

by RB Tour of Duty 177 ADG Rat

WDA YR

SC

$B

2.97 3.36 2.98 3.28 3.03 3.29

3.27 3.24 2.98 3.25 3.06 3.13

39.0 38.0 37.0 39.0 37.0 41.0

+168.56 +108.03 +111.48 +149.04 +118.20 +145.88

96 108 96 106 98 106

Double D Ranch

101 99 93 102 94 99

Linwood, NE • 402-641-7496

2-9-16

ADG 3.27

Rat 106 BW +3.5

Sire: VNAR CC&7 4024

SSR Johnny Be Good 653D WDA YR 205 365 SC IMF REA 3.42 111 847 1335 37.0 +0.57 +0.56 WW Milk YW $W $F $B +59 +26 +102 +46.54 +61.21 +147.70 (Top 10%)

Out of a tremendous Connealy Earnan 076E daughter

Lot Sire 501 SPA 2951 Dam Builder 503 SSR Brilliance 276Z

BW -0.1 -0.2

WW +43 +49

Milk YW +23 +75 +21 +81

ADG Rat WDA 2.96 97 3.08 3.09 102 3.38

YR SC 98 41.5 105 41.0

Mike, Helen, Tessa and Michelle Faulkner 99 5 E Goo ing D 333 elen 2 539 592 Te a 2 35

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page B9

Breed associations encourage commercial cattlemen to utilize data Commercial cattlemen may be dropping the ball when it comes to utilizing genomic data within their operations.

Although survey data repeatedly has shown only a third of bull buyers rely on expected progeny differences (EPDs) as their primary selection criteria, representatives from three breed associations still agree the information could greatly improve their return on investment if they would use it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Accumulation and assimilation of information has been the goal of the American Angus Association since it started in 1873,â&#x20AC;? says Dan Moser of the St. Joseph, Mo.-based group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started out as developing pedigrees, but it has grown into where data management is a big part of what we do.â&#x20AC;?

Data Moser continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We receive information from 25,000 members all over the country. We turn that information into genetic predictions and EPD calculations, which are sent out to be used by the commercial industry.â&#x20AC;?

Accumulating this much data is no small task.

Moser says over 8 million weaning weights are stored in the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast database. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have worked to make this information more user-friendly over time and applicable to the commercial industry.

Ultimately, we want to help producers be more profitable and make better genetic decisions,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

Benefitting producers The mission of the American Simmental Association, based in Boz-

eman, Mont., is similar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here for the benefit of our membershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers,â&#x20AC;? explains Chip Kemp, director of member and industry relations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel there has to be a commercial application for the data we collect. Our primary commercial effort is to provide the most powerful and robust evaluation we can put together for both seedstock and commercial producers. If we forget that, we have missed out.â&#x20AC;?

In fact, Kemp says they collaborate aggressively with 11 other breed associations with similar philosophies. These breed associations formed the International Genetic Solutions (IGS), which has the largest genetic beef cattle database on the planet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This multi-breed database allows producers to directly compare breed to breed and animal to animal,â&#x20AC;? Kemp says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They can compare the weaning weight of an Angus to a Simmental to a Red Angus bull.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is important at a commercial level because it allows producers to compare apples to apples, and make good genetic decisions,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

Sire tests The American Hereford Association (AHA) started a young sire test program in 1999 that attempted to develop bulls more suitable for commercial operations. Breeders would nominate 15 sires to participate in this program.

Their offspring were placed in a low input forage environment with low supplementation to evalu-

ate how they performed.

Data was collected from birth to harvest.

Since then, the AHA has added a smaller test herd in South Dakota and, six years ago, a heifer calving project at Simplot Ranches in Idaho. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to move forward with more projects like this, because our goal is to get more Hereford genetics into the cowherd,â&#x20AC;? states Shane Bedwell, who is the director of breed improvement for the Kansas City, Mo.based association. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe in the value of heterosis and that Hereford genetics can complement and contribute to the bottom line of these commercial operations.â&#x20AC;?

New developments Currently, Bedwell says his association is developing new fertility EPDs that are part of a research model. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They will be implemented as traits in the evaluation to sustain cow fertility, to survival analysis that looks at that female lasting in production or being culled,â&#x20AC;? he explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also looks at heifer calving rate and dry matter intake EPDs.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to develop economically-relevant traits and EPDs that will help improve that bottom line,â&#x20AC;? Bedwell continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As commercial producers, we can select those animals that excel based off the tools we feel are very important to include in the four bio-economic profit indexes.â&#x20AC;?

The American Angus Association is investing their money in improving genomics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Angus breeders have invested $15 million

in genomic testing just in the last six years,â&#x20AC;? Moser states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel it is a good investment because that information works through all the pedigrees, providing more accurate predictions than we have ever had on yearling Angus bulls and females.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been able to merge that information with the database records of carcass data, phenotypic data and performance data,â&#x20AC;? he continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With all this information, we are now able to reduce the risk of purchasing young bulls.

When commercial producers purchase a young bull, it is more likely to perform as predicted than it was in the past.â&#x20AC;?

Underutilization Despite advancements, many programs are still under-utilized. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to see commercial producers utilize some of these whole herd or inventory-based reporting systems,â&#x20AC;? Kemp says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think they provide a great deal of information, and we can add so much knowledge so fast.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are low dollar inputs, and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a lot of time or investment,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

Moser says he would like to see more interest in

Lot 473

Rat.

WDA

YR

SC

108

3.26

104

37.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

365

+1.7

+47

+27

+81

1224

associations try to provide commercial producers with more information, in some cases, they have inundated them with EPDs that are difficult to digest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead of trying to figure out EPDs, many commercial producers just use other ways to evaluate the bulls they want to buy,â&#x20AC;? Kemp says.

Moser agrees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is really all about precision and accuracy,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is still room for improvement in this business. As we do a better job providing this information in a way everyone can understand, more people will be willing to use it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will require educating these producers so they can understand what the data means and be able to use it to improve their own operations,â&#x20AC;? Bedwell adds.

Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.

To advertise in the Wyoming Seedstock Directory, contact Curt at 307-630-4604 or curt@wylr.net.

by RB Tour of Duty 177

3.28

some of the feeder cattle marketing programs they offer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these producers are using outstanding genetics and know there is real value in their calves, but they are not always able to capture that,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Most of the programs offered by all the associations are simple to do and provide the opportunity to recapture some of that return on investment, he adds.

Moser also sees genetics playing a bigger role in marketing in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As time goes on, there may be a greater differential in cattle that have documentation and those that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t,â&#x20AC;? he says.

However, Kemp reminds commercial producers that, although DNA is in vogue, phenotype is still king. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Commercial producers need to consider both to make genetic change,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just focus on DNA. It could be a big mistake.â&#x20AC;?

Too much information In fact, as the breed

Wyoming Seedstock Directory

SHB Tour of Duty 369D ADG

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dan Moser, American Angus Association

Coming Soon!

2017-18

Selling 8 Top Angus 1-16-16

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ultimately, we want to help producers be more profitable and make better genetic decisions.â&#x20AC;?

Advertising Deadline: June 21, 2017

$W +49.27 â&#x20AC;˘ $B +131.14

Out of SHB 837 Rita 3136. She is a beautiful 14-year-old cow with perfect feet and udder. She is also the dam of SHB Pendleton 9201, the sire of Lot 479, who is our top gaining bull this year, and the granddam of Lot 477 and Lot 478.

Also Selling: Lot 472 474 475 476 477 478 479

Birth 1-12-16 1-17-16 2-14-16 1-8-16 1-14-16 1-10-16 1-14-16

Sire RB Tour of Duty 177 RB Tour of Duty 177 Connealy Countdown Connealy Countdown Connealy Countdown AAR Ten X 7008 SA SHB Pendleton 9201

BW WW +1.4 +56 +2.4 +62 -1.0 +58 -0.7 +55 +0.9 +49 +0.2 +55 +1.6 +49

Milk +31 +29 +33 +30 +32 +32 +27

YW +96 +108 +97 +91 +92 +101 +90

ADG 3.04 3.36 3.63 3.08 2.77 3.60 3.70

S-H-B Angus

RAT WDA 98 3.18 108 3.37 119 3.41 101 3.09 89 3.12 118 3.22 122 3.25

5 ,)--5R5 , (65 5R5kfo7omo7ohii

YW 100 108 107 102 98 103 105

SC 40.0 40.5 39.5 39.0 39.0 41.0 39.5

$B +149.71 +158.78 +107.13 +93.76 +120.89 +145.89 +106.16 ÂŽ

wylr.net â&#x20AC;˘ 800-967-1647 â&#x20AC;˘ 307-234-2700

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B10

Several factors important to consider in bull purchasing decisions According to Wyoming Stock Growers Association President and Rawlins rancher Niels Hansen, several factors are important to consider when selecting bulls for range situations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our ranch, like so many operations in south-central Wyoming and the large block federal land areas, finds it hard to utilize many of the tools available to us today,â&#x20AC;? says Hansen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On our ranch, we have chosen to concentrate on bull selection rather than keeping detailed records on each cow.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to considering the production challenges associated with their area, producers should also consider physical and genetic traits, as well as work to effectively communicate with sellers on their bull needs.

Transition Hansen explains that their operation has found it important to evolve their bull selection strategy as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve observed how animals perform in range situations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve adjusted what we look at for what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing in production on the range.

That drives our changes,â&#x20AC;? he notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We concentrate on bulls with strong maternal traits while still maintaining good performance in the feedlots and carcass quality,â&#x20AC;? Hansen continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We finish our cull heifers and any open heifers every year to track their per-

formance and quality.â&#x20AC;?

Because of different environmental challenges, Hansen comments that it is important to select for more moderate animals rather than extremely high producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Especially with the extended dry years that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re much more conscious of being careful to not buy bulls that have too high of expected progeny differences (EPDs) in milk production and yearling weight, and we really concentrate on low birth weight,â&#x20AC;? continues Hansen.

Characteristics When going into the field to look at bulls for purchase, range producers should prioritize several different physical attributes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my operation, we look for smoothness, a moderate frame and a clean undercarriage. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want anything with a really long sheath,â&#x20AC;? explains Hansen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also look for good muscling and good depth.â&#x20AC;?

Hansen also prioritizes following the genetic lineage of his animals and bringing in as much genetic diversity as possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We certainly follow the genetic trail pretty closely to try and make certain that we keep good genetic diversity in the herd,â&#x20AC;? he explains.

Hansen continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This has become more important to us in recent years because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to get too con-

centrated on one line. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back a generation or two, we try to really reach out and look for new lines these days.â&#x20AC;?

Testing Many genetic tests are available to producers to consider when selecting bulls to determine if the animal is a carrier or non-carrier for certain genetic disorders.

Two of the most relevant tests for Black Angus producers are arthrogryposis multiplex or curly calf and neuropathic hydrocephalus, which is commonly called water head.

In Red Angus, osteopetrosis, or marble bone disease, can be tested for genetically.

Hansen notes that much of the genetic testing that is available isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a major priority for range operations but is a technology that will soon be more feasible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of the work theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, I think, is going to be really interesting, but I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen where I can justify the time and expense to try to work it into what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing today,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that is coming but isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite here yet.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to genetic testing, testing for other diseases, such as bovine viral diarrhea persistently infected animals and other conditions, can be incredibly valuable for producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m watching genetic testing really closely, but on our open range operation, we

A STOUT SET OF ANGUS BULLS PerforMAnce + $Beef

certainly watch the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) scores as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had issues with that in our high desert country,â&#x20AC;? continues Hansen.

Relationship According to Hansen, building a solid relationship with sellers through active communication is critical for success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There needs to be a lot of conversation to make sure they understand what our conditions are and what we need in a bull,â&#x20AC;? he says.

He notes that having these conversations is particularly important if producers are looking to purchase bulls from out of state.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We certainly follow the genetic trail pretty closely to try and make certain that we keep good genetic diversity in the herd.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Niels

Hansen, Wyoming Stock Growers Association

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any breeders in Wyoming understand when we tell them we graze the Red Desert. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got an idea of what that means, but if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at bulls out of state, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve really have to make sure they understand that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about high altitude, arid country and strong but sparse grass,â&#x20AC;? continues Hansen.

He concludes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to get the right kind of animals with a good foundation and good strong feet, so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break down on us out on that rough country. It all boils down to a lot of communication.â&#x20AC;?

Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Buying bulls - When purchasing bulls, producers must consider a number of factors, but it is important to consider the environment that they run in first. Saige Albert photo

PERFORMANCE â&#x20AC;˘ EFFICIENCY â&#x20AC;˘ CALVING EASE â&#x20AC;˘ FF #11 E p 1 Grou

LOT 319

Silver State 10X 610

g7hn7gl55555555555 35 5 (5 5mffn5 ADG i8go5 5

BM INSIGHT 49D ADG

2-17-16

BW WW 7f8k5 5 Â&#x2030;ki5

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

SC

3.61

119

3.07

110

920

1295

37.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$W

$F

$B

+0.7

+54

+32

+100

+61.57

+63.79

+156.79

LOT 695

Out of a Connealy Consensus 7229 daughter op or â&#x20AC;˘R D 12 op 1 Dam roduction 1NR 142

by PVF Insight 0129

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LOT 320

#&0 ,5 . . 5 &/ 5lgh

g7ho7gl555 35 ), 5 5 . #&5 &/ 5jgfn5 ADG i8lm5 5

BM WEIGH UP 342D ADG

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

SC

3.36

111

3.22

106

875

1256

36.0

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$W

$F

$B

+0.4

+65

+30

+119

+72.35

+87.98

+153.90

op 1

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â&#x20AC;˘ op 2 or and â&#x20AC;˘ op 4 R D 1 04 op 4 Dam roduction NR 10 â&#x20AC;˘ 2 YR 10

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WDA i8lo5 Milk Â&#x2030;hj5

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LOT 693 41

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Additional Offerings Lot Birth Sire 691 2-17-16 Baldridge Waylon W34 692 2-11-16 RB Tour of Duty 177 694 2-19-16 Connealy Consensus 7229 696 3-1-16 Connealy Consensus 7229 697 3-4-16 Plattemere Weigh Up K360

BW +2.7 +2.3 -0.2 +0 +2.8

WW Milk YW ADG RAT WDA YR SC $B +50 +26 +92 3.39 109 3.15 105 37.0 +137.46 +64 +28 +108 2.97 96 3.07 102 36.0 +151.96 +70 +28 +108 3.03 100 2.96 104 38.0 +102.58 +65 +29 +97 3.10 102 2.92 104 38.0 +87.25 +61 +29 +106 3.08 101 2.98 100 38.0 +151.58

BM ANGUS BM A ngus

radit â&#x20AC;˘ 402 2 24 1 York, Nebraska

Rat gfl5

BW WW Â&#x2030;h8m5 5 Â&#x2030;lh5

WDA i8jh5

YR IND gfn5 gfm5

Milk Â&#x2030;hm5

YR 365 Â&#x2030;gfk5 ghnf5

q 5Â&#x2030;kn8of5R5q 5Â&#x2030;ggk8gh '5 ,) / .#)(5h5 5gfn

Lot 321 * 322 326

Sire Silver State Ten X 310 AAR Ten X 7008 SA GPAR Final Answer Z10 * #8 Efficiency Group 1

BW +0.5 +0.2 -0.8

Also Selling:

WW +58 +60 +40

Milk +31 +22 +19

YW +104 +100 +78

ADG 3.11 2.94 3.08

Rat 96 92 97

WDA 3.34 3.32 3.13

YR 104 106 105

Hone Ranch

EFF 107 125 106

SC 35.5 38.5 38.0

SC im8k Eff gfi

IND 104 109 104

" ,&# 5 )( 5R5 , ( ,0#&& 65 5R5mmk7log7gnin5R5mmk7mnh7jkmg

www.HoneRanch.com

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Page B11

Organization brings beef cattle industry together to improve safety Research from The Center for Food Integrity shows 68 percent of consumers are still concerned about the safety of their food, including beef. The issue is one that the beef industry has tackled headon.

“The Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) brings together representatives from all segments of the beef industry to develop industry-wide, science-based strategies to solve the problem of E. coli O157:H7 and other food-borne pathogens in beef,” says BIFSCo. With the ever-increasing complexity in the food industry and in food delivery systems, BIFSCo notes that meeting the diverse needs of consumers and the industry requires interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts.

Inside BIFSCo BIFSCo was first founded in 1997 and includes industry executives, beef producers, university and government scientists, association executives and other experts, all representing different segments of the beef supply.

“Since its inception, BIFSCo members have been responsible for the implementation of numerous technological innovations that continue to advance the safety of beef,” they add.

At the time it was formed, BIFSCo represented cross-sector cooperation of the beef industry for the first time. The original collaborators found that cooperation was necessary to develop new technologies and ensure their widespread use.

BIFSCO’s mission is to engage all sectors of the beef chain in a strategic, coordinated effort to enhance the safety of U.S. beef products through research, education and communication initiatives.

Food safety “The U.S. beef industry is committed to producing safe food,” says BIFSCo. “Food safety issues will continue to generate the need for change, both to respond to public concerns and to provide policy makers with scientific data as a basis for sound, reasoned judgments.”

BIFSCo strives to provide the foundation for continuing efforts to ensure the safety of food in the United States consumer chain through multiple measures.

“To this end, the industry and scientific community realize that further improvements can be made through a collaborative effort,” BIFSCo continues.

For example, they cite the use of sciencebased knowledge in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) strategies to enhance sanitary processes, and the organization looks to continue implementing and improving principles of prevention and risk reduction from farm-totable food sales, as well as understanding the food safety risks that are present in the food chain.

“The beef industry believes that the opti-

mal system will have a food safety net extending from farm to consumer,” BIFSCo emphasizes. “To this end, the Council was formed. This cooperative effort clearly displays a deep commitment to further action to enhance the safety of the nation’s beef supply.”

Best practices Through their cooperative efforts, BIFSCo began to develop a set of industry best practices in 2003, which were released as the industry roadmap for food safety decisions, practices and procedures.

“Written and approved by the people who use these practices daily, the documents include procedures industry leaders have successfully implemented in their own operations,” BIFSCo explains.

“The Best Practice Documents are updated as needed to incorporate the most current science and technology.”

The Best Practice Documents were written, reviewed and approved by the people who work in the industry every day.

The documents also provide a list of technical experts to provide more information or answer specific questions about the documents.

The Best Practice Documents highlight topics in seven areas, including pre-harvest, harvest, further processing, ground beef, retail, foodservice and testing.

Safety Summit On top of their day-

to-day efforts to disseminate information to the beef industry regarding beef safety, BIFSCo also collaborates with the beef checkoff and other sponsors to host an annual Beef Industry Safety Summit.

“This signature event began in 2003 as an opportunity to bring industry safety leaders and scientists together to hear the latest research results, learn about advancements in food safety monitoring and testing methodology and to openly converse with competitors seeking solutions that will benefit the entire industry,” BIFSCo describes.

The event continues today as the hallmark of the organization, and BIFSCo takes pride in the ability of competitors to gather together, share ideas and address beef safety challenges for the betterment of the industry as a whole.

Partnerships Working together is an important part of BIFSCo, and they have partnered with a number of other websites and organizations to disseminate information.

In fact, BIFSCo utilizes several resources, including factsaboutbeef. com, beefretail.org, beefresearch.org and a number of video resources to

“Since its inception, BIFSCo members have been responsible for the implementation of numerous technological innovations that continue to advance the safety of beef.” – Beef

Industry Food Safety Council emphasize safety, stewardship, animal care, nutrition and more.

“Developing and sharing effective technologies alone will not guarantee the safety of beef,” BIFSCo says. “For this reason, BIFSCo also focuses on education and outreach to the entire food industry.”

Their outreach efforts are supported by member dues. Funding from the beef checkoff also supports the effort.

The BIFSCo Executive Committee emphasizes, “As longstanding members of BIFSCo, it has been gratifying to realize how the ever-increasing participation in this organization has unified the industry around the non-competitive nature of beef safety and the development of shared solutions to the industry’s common food safety challenges.”

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

Gengenbach Cattle Co. Selling 2 Simmental Herd Bull Prospects #1 and #2 ADG Sim Bulls at

Learn more about the Beef Industry Food Safety Council at bifsco.org.

GCCR Topcut TA93 D

Performance + Calving Ease

1/2 SimAngus • BBS TopCut X BR Destination 928 • Reg#: 3199702

2 Sons of AAR Ten X 7008 SA Brand Ten X 6041 ADG 3.71 BW +1.6

Rat 122 WW +65

WDA 3.27 Milk +28

YR 205 365 SC 103 796 1209 43.0 YW $W $F $B +114 +70.43 +77.10 +159.84

131

Out of a Connealy Consensus 7229 daughter Dam is a maternal sister to the dam of the $270,000 Connealy Earnan

AD G R atio

Lot 454 3-1-16

Lot 1014

by AAR Ten X 7008 SA

BW: +2.4 WW: +83.5 YW: +130.2 M: +19.9 Final Wt: 1285 ADG: 4.12 ADG Rat: 131 WDA: 3.41

Brand Ten X 6043 ADG 3.82 BW +2.2

Rat 126 WW +59

WDA 3.23 Milk +29

YR 205 365 SC 102 828 1208 41.0 YW $W $F $B +108 +59.88 +69.84 +151.75

Lot 455

Full Flush brother to Lot 454

3-1-16

by AAR Ten X 7008 SA

All bulls are i50K enhanced through GENSEEK Lot Birth 452 453

Sire

BW WW Milk

1-16-16 Jindra Double Vision +3.2 +61 2-9-16 Connealy Black Granite +1.3 +60

+33 +25

YW +111 +99

ADG Rat

WDA YR

SC

$B

3.49 3.13

3.19 2.98

40.0 40.0

+148.11 +137.23

115 103

101 96

BRAND ANGUS Lake City, MN • Frank Brand • 651-345-3645

GCCR Topcut WS380 D PB Simmental • BBS TopCut X TJ Bonus Beef Reg#: 3199787 BW: +2.7 WW: +82.9 YW: +125.6 M: +14.0 Final Wt: 1200 ADG: 3.84 ADG Rat: 122 WDA: 3.12 atio R G D A

122

Lot 1015

Please contact us or visit www.midlandbulltest.com for final efficiency data.

Randy & MJ Gengenbach • Grant, NE 308-352-4975 (home) • 308-352-6185 (cell)

2017 Midland Bull Test Edition

Page B12

Bull selection for heifers involves multiple genetic selection decisions While not all producers raise their own replacement heifers, the genetic decisions related to those heifers as they enter the cowherd is still important.

“Not everybody raises their own replacements, but there are some things to think about relative to the breeding decisions that were made to create those heifers,” comments Taylor Grussing, South Dakota State University Extension cow/calf field specialist.

“Producers who buy their replacements can look at what kind of sires and dams were used to create those heifers.”

Production cycle In a cow/calf production cycle, Grussing emphasizes that it takes three years to get through one complete cycle.

“In year one, we have our breeding season right after calving is done,” she says. “Those calves don’t hit the ground for nine months, and replacement heifers

won’t be selected until a year-and-a-half later.”

Grussing continues, “But in the meantime, we have already had to rebreed those dams again. We’re not going to be able to see the results from our selection decisions for an entire year.”

The timespan between making a selection decision and whether that decision turned out as expected is significantly longer than in the pork or poultry industry.

“We need to take careful consideration when we’re making our genetic decision to make the kind of progress we want and not make any mistakes,” she says.

Selection decisions In selecting herd sires for heifer development, Grussing defines that there are three main genetic selection.

“The first decision we have to make is selecting the parents to produce the replacement heifers,” she says. “Then, we have to select replacement heif-

ers, and finally, we’ll select the best sires to breed our replacement heifers.”

A number of tools can be utilized to make those decisions, including pedigree information, expected progeny differences (EPDs), DNA results and phenotype.

“But before we look at the sale catalogs that come in the mail, we should write a job description for the bull,” Grussing comments.

“It’s pretty hard to buy bulls if we don’t know what we want them to do.”

With the goal of creating replacement heifers, she explains that producers are likely seeking a bull that will get cows bred in a timely manner, and will calve easily and in a timely manner.

“We also want the calves to grow rapidly and efficiently with the feed resources that we have,” she continues. “It is important for replacement heifers, as well as for feedlot cattle that will also be entering the feeding phase. We need heif-

ers to be at 55 to 65 percent of mature weight at breeding time and 85 percent by calving times.”

Grussing adds, “If the heifers grow too slow, they won’t catch up to the rest of the herd.”

Number of bulls In addition, Grussing says that it is important to also understand how many bulls are necessary.

Generally, producers should figure on an annual replacement rate of 15 percent.

“If we use a conventional breeding system, we should expect a 50-50 split of heifers and bulls from our calves,” she continues. “If we account for death loss and heifers that are culled, we need to make about 40 percent of our herd matings focused toward producing replacement heifers.”

“We need to have enough bulls to service cows to obtain 40 percent of our matings geared towards a replacement heifer pro-

“If we get to the point where we have a couple of bulls that we are considering and we’re having trouble sorting them, we can ask the producer some questions.” – Taylor Grussing, South

Dakota State University Extension gram,” she adds.

Catalogs “When we start looking at the catalog, we have hopefully chosen a breed or several breeds that we are considering,” Grussing says.

“We can start by looking at EPDs and determine what traits we want to look for.”

In creating replacement heifers, Grussing notes that maternal traits should be emphasized, including calving ease direct, birth weight, calving ease maternal and more.

“We have to do a little homework before we start looking at EPDs in terms of looking at breed animals,” she comments. “We need to know how much is enough for us, in terms of those traits, and we have to understand our resources.”

Grussing also notes that EPDs are used to compare animals, but they can not be compared across breeds without using conversion factors.

Pedigrees In addition to the EPDs provided, Grussing notes that pedigrees can provide relevant information.

“Eighty-five percent of genetic progress occurs in the last three sires of the pedigree,” she says. “If we look at this information and like what we see, then we can get an idea of genetic progress.”

Approximately 12.5 percent of genetics come from the great-grandsire, 25 percent comes from the grandsire and 50 percent comes from the sire.

“Keep that in mind, too.

If the best part of the pedigree is too far down the line, we might not get the benefits we hope,” Grussing says.

Other information If there is still more information that producers desire about a bull or a handful of bulls, Grussing encourages bull buyers to reach out to those selling the seedstock.

“If we get to the point where we have a couple of bulls that we are considering and we’re having trouble sorting them, we can ask the producer some questions,” she says.

Grussing says producers may want to ask about the dam to see if she maintains body condition, calves unassisted and has longevity in the herd. Asking whether the dam’s daughters or sisters have been retained in the herd may also provide good information.

“In addition, we want our females to look like females, so phenotype is important,” she explains.

“Those traits are passed on.”

Grussing adds, “If we have two bulls that read the same on paper, we might be able to answer some questions or make a decision based on phenotype.”

Grussing presented during a webinar series from South Dakota State University’s iGrow program. Learn more at igrow.org.

Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

Selling Four Calving Ease Deluxe McD SF Total 1348 Sons #3 WDAag Green T Group 2

L O T

FRASER JONES 602 20 da 0 Dam roduction

ADG

• NR

4-15-16

6 5 2

1 • 2 YR 10

Rat.

WDA

YR

205

365

3.05

100

3.55

110

809

1293

BW

WW

Milk

YW

$W

$F

+0.2

+78

+14

+124

+66.18

+89.15

Also Offering Lot 651 653 654

BW +1.3 -0.4 +0.6

WW 82 71 63

Milk YW 18 133 24 116 23 104

ADG RAT WDA YR 2.92 96 3.12 100 3.50 115 3.63 111 3.36 111 3.26 101

$W $F 69.43 103.84 70.29 70.86 60.04 60.08

Fraser ranch uann ra r • 0 22 Lincoln, CA

$B 142.54 102.15 95.51