Genomic Giants
A Few Points of Importance •Our sale bulls have been raised in a forage environment, tested from weaning to yearling time on silage, and continued to be developed post yearling time to sale time on silage and/or grazing forage. •Every bull in the sale offering has passed a strict BSE that included an actual collection and evaluation of semen sample to include all fall born yearling bulls. •The stock bulls in this sale, representing five partner programs and four cooperator programs, are documented for superior genomically enhanced traits, to make economically relevant genetic directions, by blending antagonistic traits together at levels known to be difficult to achieve. •Percentile Ranks associated with GE-EPD values are the most important component of the entire database in this catalog. Trust these values as they offer the best comparison when ranking all animals in the Brangus breed! •Nearly 38% of the cattle in this sale rank in the best 35% of the entire national Brangus population for Calving Ease Direct and 43% of the sale cattle have an actual birthweight of 75 lbs. or less, and over 59% of the sale bulls have an actual birthweight of 79 lbs. or less. •Our industry sells cattle by the pound and the entire offering in this sale rank in the TOP 10% for Weaning Weight and Yearling Weight GE-EPDs when compared against the national Brangus genetic population. •Additionally, the packers pay for pounds, muscle, and marbling and these sale bulls rank against the national breed population in the TOP 10% for both Ribeye Area and IMF (Marbling) GE-EPD values! •Fertility IS the most economically important trait in the cattle industry. You will find our Fertility Indicator Values are outstanding when compared to the entire Brangus population! •Those blessings of fertility, calving ease, soundness, maternal value, udder quality, calf raising value, keeping ability, and temperament are the long-term genetic bonuses from our stock bulls! The entire sale offering ranks on average for Fertility and Herd Retention in the TOP 10% for Heifer Pregnancy; TOP 15% for Stayability, Breed Back and Number of Calves; AND TOP 15% for Total Maternal Value! •Keep in mind the excellent GE-EPD values for Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight, Ribeye Area, and IMF are antagonistic traits to the just above noted values for Fertility and Maternal Values! Each of our programs accomplishes more than can be described by blending antagonistic traits together at such an impressive level.
Genomic Data Will Fuel the Beef Industry Genomically enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GE-EPDs) are the most accurate prediction of an animal’s genetic merit, combining traditional EPD calculations with molecular genetic data from DNA testing. By analyzing an animal’s DNA and comparing it against a reference population, GE-EPDs provide higher accuracy, especially for young, non-parent animals, allowing producers to make more informed decisions to accelerate genetic progress in their herds. By improving the accuracy of EPDs, GE-EPDs help mitigate the risk associated with selecting sires, dams, or young animals. Over time placing emphasis on GE-EPDs provides producers with more robust information for selecting superior animals therefore making more profitable and accurate breeding decisions. The Use of DNA Technology DNA technology, and its various forms of use in the beef industry, is here to stay, and we have embraced this technology for its positive and profitable impact. Feedlots are starting to use DNA technology and packers are exploring avenues to identify groups of cattle that “can or cannot” perform on the rail based on DNA technology. From correct pedigree verification, validating EPD values, to unlocking the science behind the composition of our two parent breeds, our industry will be better served by adding this pure form of black and white science in an industry that at one time was ruled by nothing but subjectivity. Factually, there are no programs with “true” Brangus which are defined as 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus, or 37.5% Brahman and 62.5% Angus. This type of information is strictly a paper trail. Science tells us our national Brangus breed average is around 25% Brahman and 75% Angus. DNA combination from each parent is random and therefore at each mating it is impossible to “control” in a composite breed how much bos indicus vs bos taurus each offspring receives. Yes, on average, our REG cattle will have slightly higher percentage of Brahman DNA as compared to UB noted animals. However, within each group you will find wide swings of Brahman vs Angus compositions and designs. Stockmen generally know what kind of bull they prefer relative to frame size, design, measurements, amount of leather, etc. Closely study genomically enhanced EPD (GE-EPD) ranks, and place high emphasis on this information! Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or recommendations from our team. BUY THE BULLS THAT FIT YOUR NEEDS and the LONG-TERM GOALS OF YOUR PROGRAMS. The profit driving information is available. Now trust the process.
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