Understanding The Data MATERNAL AND GROWTH TRAITS Calving Ease Direct (CE)— Percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. A higher number is favorable, meaning better calving ease. Birth Weight (BW)— Predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth weight of the calf. Weaning Weight (WW)— Predicts the difference, in pounds, for weaning weight (adjusted to age of dam and a standard 205 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to weaning. Yearling Weight (YW)— Predicts the expected difference, in pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted to a standard 365 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to yearling. Milk (MK)— The genetic ability of a sire’s daughters to produce milk expressed in pounds of weaning weight. Total Maternal (TM)— An index that combines growth and milk information as a prediction of the weaning weight performance of calves from a sire’s daughters. A greater TM value means a mother that returns comparatively higher weaning weights on her calves. TM Index = MK EPD + ½ WW EPD. Calving Ease Maternal (CM)— Represented as percent of unassisted births in a sire’s first-calving daughters. A higher number represents more favorable calving ease. Scrotal Circumference (SC)— Is a good indicator of age at puberty, and is a highly heritable trait. EPDs for scrotal circumference are expressed in centimeters, with higher values indicating genes for larger yearling scrotal circumferences of sons and earlier puberty of daughters. Docility (DC)— Predicts the genetic difference in cattle temperment, measuring the probability that a sire’s offspring will have a calm, manageable disposition rather than an aggressive one. Expressed as a percentage, higher (more positive) values are more favorable, indicating a higher likelihood of docile offspring. CARCASS TRAITS Yield Grade (YG)— Differences in yield grade score, which is a predictor of percent retail product. Smaller values suggest that progeny will have a better lean to fat ratio. Carcass Weight (CW)— Differences in pounds of hot carcass weight, adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint. Larger numbers suggest offspring will produce heavier carcasses. Ribeye Area (RE)— Differences in ribeye area in inches between the 12th and 13th rib. Greater ribeye areas are preferable. Marbling (MB)— Predicts the differences in the degree of marbling within the ribeye as expressed in marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades. PROFITABILITY INDEXES Terminal Profit Index ($TPI)— Used to identify sires that, when mated to Angus- based cows, will produce calves that offer the highest profit potential as fed cattle. This index uses traits directly linked to feeding performance and carcass value including carcass weight, dry matter intake, ribeye area, fat thickness, marbling and post weaning gain.” Maternal Profit Index ($MPI)— Designed for the commercial cattlemen breeding Limousin bulls to Angus-based cows, retaining replacement heifers and selling the surplus calves at weaning. The index is calculated using calving ease, milk, weaning weight, and stayability EPD’s with significant emphasis on mature weight due to its impact on cow maintenance energy requirements. Industry Profit Index ($IPI)— Balances both maternal and terminal selection criteria by incorporating EPDs associated with replacement heifer retention with those that drive fed cattle profitability.
More Than Cattle It’s about a dream that began with a catch-it-calf And a passion that extends beyond profits It’s about a late-night “date” in the calving barn with your wife And about an early morning sunrise painted above the bluffs in the eastern sky It’s about the sound of bawling calves at weaning time And about the still morning silence after a winter snow It’s about the smell of freshly cut hay on a hot summer day And about the aroma of a prime rib roast on New Years It’s about the confidence that comes when kids connect with critters And the humbleness you feel when you’re dancing with nature It’s about the promise and hope that each new calf crop brings, And about experiences you have as a family that can’t be replaced by “things” It’s about bright eyes and blue ribbons at the County Fair And about the sweat and the discipline it takes to get there It’s about friends who are your customers and customers who become friends And about an eternal relationship with our Creator that has no end It’s about the lessons we learn, as painful as some seem And about the love of a family who share not just a name, but a dream Yes, at Ochsner Land & Cattle, it’s about more than just cattle!
Written By: Kevin Ochsner, February 2004
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OCHSNER LAND & CATTLE PASTURE TO PLATE PRODUCTION SALE
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