BALANCE THE SCALES

Breed Effects For Cow Mature

Big cows come with big feed bills.

That’s why smart genetic selection pays off in the cow herd. Simmental-influenced cows are an average 74 lb. lighter at maturity than Angus-sired counterparts, according to a recent U.S. Meat Animal Research Center study.a,d

While Simmental is sized for more efficient gains, 20-year genetic trend lines also show the breed offers reliable calving ease, early growth and cow longevity. That’s a balanced herd built for profit.

...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40 index and a reliable terminal index so that you have the appropriate tools to fit your management approach. Use the whole life cycle index if you are retaining daughters. If you purchase your females, put the terminal index to work. Indexes make the complex straightforward.

4) Ask your seedstock provider how they can help you balance breed complementarity and heterosis to add female longevity in your environment and feeder calf value to your family’s business. If your seedstock provider ignores these facts or denies the benefits of crossbreeding to your commercial program, then ask them to defend their position. If they can’t suitably do that, then why are they your seedstock provider?

These Simmental genetic trends highlight a population with both maternal and terminal merit. Examining the Simmental genetic trends over the last 20 years, we see an increase in calving ease and stayability, while holding mature size and milk constant. On the terminal side, post weaning gain, carcass weight and marbling are all trending up. The entire package of a genetic offering for both longevity, calving ease, growth and carcass quality promises a unique set of traits to help the commercial cattle industry be successful.

Simmental Genetic Trends