KENNER SIMMENTAL RANCH Understanding the Data
HERD HEALTH BULL VACCINATIONS
WHY USE EPDS? We have included all the data we can for each animal in this catalog, but we strongly recommend using the EPDs the most. EPDs allow a buyer to compare the animals across the breed. If you look at the actual data of an animal, it only tells you how they compare in that particular herd. By using the EPDs, you can compare them across herds and within herds more accurately. We’ve formatted our lot boxes to include the percentile ranking for each trait if they rank within the top 50% of the breed. This will make it easier to evaluate each animal. CALVING EASE EPD Please understand the CE EPD is actually heifer calving ease. This number tells you how those bulls will calve on heifers - % unassisted compared to the other bulls on heifers. For example: If Bull A has a CE EPD of 10 and Bull B has a CE EPD of 5, Bull A will have 5% more unassisted births than Bull B when used on heifers. If you are going to use the bull for cows, you do not need to There are several genomic tests available. The GGP 100K test qualifies the animals for AI sires and donor cows and tests for parentage. The results are incorporated in to the EPDs through the single-step system (BOLT) and increases the accuracy for each trait. All the bulls and heifers in the offering have been GGP 100K tested and the resulting EPDs are in the catalog. If any bulls will be used in an AI program, they are already qualified as an AI sire. DILUTION GENE (DL) All the red animals in this sale are non-diluted (DLF). DLF means they are free of the dilution gene. Grey calves will not result from any of these animals when bred to black animals. OH GENETIC TRAIT have that number as high. GENOMIC EPDS OH or Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation is a cosmetic genetic trait affecting Simmental cattle. It is a recessive trait so it is only possible from the mating of two carriers. It is non-lethal and doesn’t affect performance of the animal, but the animals will have “white-colored” eyes and/or a diluted hair coat. The most popular recent ancestor that is the carrier is PVF-BF BF26 Black Joker. We have tested everything in our herd that could possibly be a carrier and have identified the ones in this sale as either OHF (Free) or OHC (Carrier). OHC means that animal carries the gene. If mated with other carriers, there is a possibility to see the trait. If not mated to carriers, you will not see the trait, but may pass the carrier gene to some of the progeny. STAYABILITY EPD The Stayability EPD is a very important EPD because we all need the cows to stay in the herd as long as possible to be profitable. But one needs to understand how it is calculated. Stayability EPD measures the length of time a cow stays in the herd from after her first calf until she is 6 years old. If she is culled before 6 years old, it will affect her Stayability EPD, as well as her sire and dam’s. But if an animal is culled prior to having her first calf, the Stayability EPD is not affected. For example, if a whole sire group is culled due to disposition or structure, prior to breeding, it does not influence the Stayability EPD for that sire. The females aren’t considered part of the herd until they have their first calf.
Calfhood: Nasalgen 3-PMH & Bovilis Coronavirus Pre-turnout: Alpha 7 and Pyramid 5 + Presponse Pre-weaning: Pyramid 5+ Presponse, Mycoplasma and Bovilis Coronavirus
Weaning: Ultrabac 7 and Synanthic Drench 30-day Post-Weaning: Pyramid 5 + Presponse November: Poured with generic Ivermectin
January: Poured with Protectus BRED HEIFER VACCINATIONS Pre-breeding: Express FP5-VL5 and boosted with Express FP5-VL5
November: Scour Bos 9 and Type A Clostridia December: Poured with Generic Ivermectin
January: Scour Bos 9, Type A Clostridia, Poured with Protectus The bulls were fed a TMR ration formulated by Tim Clark of Hubbard Feeds. Our ration is formulated on a moderate level of energy that’s appropriate for the genetic type and the northern environment in order to develop bulls for breeding. We worked the bulls up to a 48 Mcal ration and kept them at that level during the test period. Our trace mineral program is designed to improve structural integrity, foot quality and immune function. They are on a high-end supplement program. Our average ADG for the 2025 sale bulls was a 3.5 lbs. on a 98-day test. BVD AND JOHNE’S STATUS All animals in the herd tested negative for BVD. We follow the state’s guidelines for Johne’s Testing and have maintained our Johne’s Status.
The Stayability EPD is the largest portion of the API Index as female retention is very important to profitability.
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