At Wedel Beef Genetics, Rancher Profitability is Job # 1 In the fall of 2015 we introduced our goals of improving beef industry profitability through improved feed efficiency. Now, four years later, we’re making our feed intake and conversion data even more meaningful. By leveraging the complete con- temporary group data we collect on all of our bulls against hundreds of thousands of animals that have been similarly evaluat- ed by the $Profit team, we bring the power of pedigree relationships to the prediction of feed efficiency and in this year’s cata- log will present this information in a true multi-breed Feed Efficiency EPD: F:G . In addition, the relevance of Feed Efficiency data and the resultant EPD are enhanced through it’s inclusion in a multi-breed economic selection index; $Profit. How $Profit Works: $Profit assumes that the average commercial bull will sire 100 progeny over his lifetime, that 30% of the replacements will be retained and that the rest of the heifers and all of the steers will be finished and sold on a value-based grid. Even though many ranchers sell their calves at weaning - and don’t own them all the way to harvest, we have seen feedlots’ willingness to pay for calves from genetics recognized for superior post-weaning value. Example:
• Bull A has a $Profit of $8,000 • Bull B has a $Profit of $4,000
• We would expect Bull A to produce $4,000 ($40/head x 100 calves) than Bull B . $Profit = One number that predicts your bottom-line!
How F:G (Feed/Gain) Works: Predicts differences in the amount of feed a bull’s progeny will consume to produce one pound of gain. F:G Example : Bull A = 0.25 F:G EPD Bull B = -0.25 F:G EPD Progeny from Bull B would be expected to consume 1/2 pound less dry matter for each pound of gain when compared to progeny from Bull A.
What traits are included in $Profit? Nearly every trait that impacts profitability. The rela- tionship between most traits and profit is usually straight forward. Here is the list relevant traits and their impact on $Profit: Revenue Traits: • Calving Ease = More Calves • Weaning & Yearling EPD = More payweight • Fertility = more calves produced over a cow’s lifetime • Carcass Weight = worth more up to 1050 lbs. • Marbling = valued based on grid premiums • Ribeye area = value as impacts Yield Grade • % Retail Product = more yield is more meat Cost Traits: • Cow Mature Size = in general, bigger eats more • Cow intake = increased feed intake means increased costs • Feed Efficiency = cost of Gain
• Carcass Weight = worth more up to 1050 lbs. • Marbling = valued based on grid premiums
Some traits are less easily characterized. Milk for exam- ple, is a good thing until you get too much. When milk EPD moves over +25 it begins to have more of a negative effect on fertility than the positive effect it has on weaning weight.
Feed Efficiency Testing Wedel Beef Genetics
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Wedel Beef Genetics
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