CROSS TY Age-Advantaged Bulls There is a good reason this program is called Cross-Ty. Ty Jones is involved in everything we do at Red Hill, and he is adventurous. At Red Hill Farms, we are always working on ways to improve the profitability potential of our commercial customers. At the forefront of this approach is providing seedstock that have the potential to increase hybrid vigor in their herds. Ty Jones has become acutely aware of the economic advan- tages that are attained by capturing the effects of hybrid vigor. Conse- quently, Ty has explored some “out of the box” approaches that might have potential for our customers. One of those approaches has been with the South Poll breed (OP). $Prof it $Ranch $Feeder FERT
52N 49
Birth Date
Breed%
Red Color
Heifer Acceptable
1/6/25
3/4 OP 1/4 AR
Yes
$Profit Index
Rank 12.5% 64.0% 15.3% 16.4%
6413 X 237H (24 DAUGHTER) Pedigree: YOB WT BCS 2020 1290 6 Dam’s Info
13,835 111 36 1.57
40.0 1
Scrotal Docility
View Videos of Sale Lots at: https://bit.ly/RHFDVAuctionF26
GENOMIC TOOLS FOR THE COMMERCIAL HERD by Dr. Troy Rowan, Assistant Professor – Beef Cattle Genetics – University of Tennessee
Genomic Testing for Commercial Heifers & Steers
Commercial genomics may allow producers to add value to their calves sold at weaning that have excep- tional genetic potential for feedlot and car-
tests only estimate genetic components of traits and are not phenotypic predictions. So, for lowly-heritable traits like fertility, they may only account for ~5% of the animal’s actual phenotype. Additionally, we must test more heifers than we plan to keep to see a return on investment. The most valuable output of commercial genomics may be in identifying crossbred heifers with greater hybrid vigor. 2. Making strategic mating decisions: Using commercial heifer genomics to inform bull purchasing is an often-under- rated application. By identifying strengths and weaknesses within the female side of our herd, we can make tailored bull purchases that fill in weak points. 3. Marketing terminal calves: Emerging markets are interested in pay- ing for animals based on genetic potential.
While genomic testing is a no-brainer for seedstock herds that market bulls to com- mercial customers, the costs of testing have declined such that they are becoming more practical for use in commercial contexts., and can open marketing opportunities for terminal calves Commercial genomic tests are helpful in three main ways: 1. Identifying heifer genetic potential: New genomic products allow commercial heifers to receive genetic predictions for multiple relevant traits. While not the same GE-EPDs in most cases, these still provide valuable context about the ge- netic potential of a female. Traditionally, heifer selection was based on phenotypic performance, age, or cow family. Genom- ic tests add EPD-like information to the decision. We should remember that these
Dr. Troy Rowan
cass profitability. In some cases, average genomic scores on a herd’s heifer crop can be extrapolated to steers in added-val- ue programs. Genomic testing continues to decline in price, and applications to commercial herds will continue to grow over the coming years. That said, there is no more important place for ge- nomics than in helping increase the accuracy of bull selection for commercial breeders.
18 – Red Hill Farms
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