EXTRA effort Age-Advantaged Bulls HETEROSIS Years of research and industry proofs stand unchallenged. Crossbred calves simply weigh more and crossbred commercial cows are absolutely more productive and profitable than straightbred commercial cows. End of story! In fact, the economic advantages are so large, one could argue that anyone discouraging commercial herds from using planned crossbreeding is just not interested in their profits or sustainability. Historically, the promotion of crossbreeding has focused on the simple direct effects of individual heterosis. This is because those improvements are immediate, easy to see and impressive, often resulting in increased weaning weights of 4 to 5%. That translates in a 15 to 35 more pounds of calf weaned next year compared to this year, just with your first cross on straightbred cows. Far greater economic impacts of crossbreeding however are realized in the added profit produced by crossbred commercial cowherds designed with a plan for profit. “Plan” is the key. Just like in all facets of the commercial cow calf business, poor decisions in crossbreeding programs for breed, source or individuals are not acceptable, especially today with better information available and more value at stake. So, how much more valuable is a crossbred commercial female vs. one that is not? Research repeatedly shows a lifetime production increase for crossbred females of between 20 to 25% because of greater fertility, longevity and improved maternal environment. Hundreds of publications have demonstrated this advantage dating back to the 70’s and there is literally no research that dispute these results. Simply put, if an average straight-bred female produces six, 500 pound calves in her life, the result is about 3000 lbs. of gross production. In comparison, based on years of data and research, her crossbred counterpart will deliver between 3600 and 3750 pounds of calf weaned because on the average she produces an extra calf in her lifetime and each calf is heavier. Depending on price, that added performance generates somewhere at or above $1000 more total dollars of value or more than $100 per year of added income. The benefit of needing to retain 10-15% less replacement heifers each year and calve substantially fewer 2-year-olds each season is a huge bonus as well. I realize that the previous example is based on maximum heterosis which is achievable through advanced management or systems approaches, but can be challenging to maintain for some operations. For greatest simplicity and practicality, consider composited seedstock with the breeds and percentages that fit your production and marketing situation. They come with retained heterosis and profit enhancement bred in. Even at 50-75% of the maximum possible heterosis, the increased profit composites provide is difficult to match by any other enterprise change and the long-term improved uniformity of both calf crop and cow herd just makes everything you do easier.
60 FSCR M005 EGL Homozygous Black
Homozygous Polled 3/4 SM 1/4 AN
Bull ASA # 4395485
M005
BD: 1/15/2024
HOOK`S EAGLE 6E
EGL CINCHED 116F
GIBBS 0039H EGL 0659X
GIBBS 1754J MABELLE 6321D
GIBBS 5319C LOUISE Y534
GIBBS 6321D MABELLE4462B
CE
BW WW YW MCE
MILK
MWW STAY
18.6 -1.7 80.8 121.8 8.9
28.7 68.9 22.7
EPD
4
25
40
45
25
15
25
2
Rank
DOC
CW
YG
MARB 0.63
REA
$API 176
$TI
17.7
29.4
-0.15
0.53
93.1
EPD
4
75
65
20
80
5
15
Rank
Adj. BW
Adj. WW
Adj. YW
81 997 ¾ Simmental bull whose grandsire is the great Hook’s Eagle. He is in the Top 5% for API & Top 4% for CE. He scores as a G+ on Rightchoice and is a candidate to use on heifers. 693 G+ POWERED BY TOP GENOMICS • ACCREDITED GENOMIC PLUS •
61 FSCR M017 GROUND BREAKER Homozygous Black Homozygous Polled 3/4 SM 1/4 AN Bull ASA # 4395497 M017 BD: 2/21/2024 DIXON NS PRIME CUT C529 SLN AVONDALE E8062 C-3 GROUND BREAKER NS G953 GIBBS 9504G KATHY 6464D WCM 623D GIBBS 6464D KATHY Y567
CE
BW WW YW MCE
MILK
MWW STAY
12.5
3.6
83.6 134.5 7.9
20.4 62.1 20.9
EPD
55
99
30
25
35
80
55
4
Rank
DOC
CW
YG
MARB 0.53
REA 0.8
$API
$TI
22.1
41.2
-0.28
152.8
85.5
EPD
1
40
25
30
30
25
40
Rank
Adj. BW
Adj. WW
Adj. YW
77
648
918
A really attractive baldie bull who is ATM certified. He ranks in the Top 25% for YW & API.
ATM POWERED BY TOP GENOMICS • ACCREDITED TERMINAL MATE •
62 FSCR M008 GROUND BREAKER Homozygous Black Homozygous Polled 1/2 SM 1/2 AN Bull ASA # 4395488 M008 BD: 1/12/2024 DIXON NS PRIME CUT C529 GIBBS 8281F BAREBACK C-3 GROUND BREAKER NS G953 GIBBS 0409H KATHY 7542E WCM 623D GIBBS 7542E KATHY 3168A
CE
BW WW YW MCE
MILK 27.1
MWW STAY
12.5
2.1
98 151.8
8
76
16.8
EPD
55
90
4
10
35
25
5
35
Rank
DOC
CW
YG
MARB 0.67
REA
$API
$TI
22.5
50.5
-0.1
0.51
158.9
99.1
EPD
1
20
75
15
80
20
10
Rank
Adj. BW
Adj. WW
Adj. YW
90
702
1089
Groundbreaker son who offers exceptional growth. Being in the Top 4% for WW, Top 10% for YW & TI. He is G+ certified and should prove to add payweight.
G+ POWERED BY TOP GENOMICS • ACCREDITED GENOMIC PLUS •
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