COLLABORATION FUELS INNOVATION: UNVEILING THE NORTH AMERICAN CHAROLAIS JOINT EVALUATION

American and Canadian Charolais Associations Collaborate to Enhance Genetic Merit and Drive International Trade.

In July, the American International Charolais Association (AICA) and Canadian Charolais Association (CCA) joined forces to reintroduce the North American Charolais joint evaluation. This effort is the result of years of dedication and persistence as our two organizations collaborated to revolutionize the Charolais cattle industry.

This long-awaited development brings forth the implementation of a joint set of genomic-enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs), enabling direct comparisons of Charolais cattle within the AICA and CCA databases. The merger of these genetic evaluations has been a constant topic of discussion among the visionary leaders of both associations, and after nearly two years of research, the highly anticipated joint evaluation is finally set to be unveiled.

Enriching the database

The joint evaluation has made significant improvements to the AICA evaluation. It adds over 600K birth weights, 435K weaning weights, and nearly 228K postweaning gain records, enriching the existing database. Furthermore, it expands the number of genotypes eligible for genetic evaluation by almost 50%, providing a considerable upgrade for single-step genomic analysis. These advancements hold significant value for both organizations.

As a result, the joint evaluation enables producers to select and sell seedstock internationally with enhanced confidence and ease, thanks to directly comparable EPDs and accuracies. However, it’s important to note that while EPDs are directly comparable, EPD Percentile Ranks and EPD averages remain specific to each individual country. Additionally, only traits that are produced and published in both countries will be included in the joint format. Please refer to Table 1 for the list of traits predicted through joint evaluation. Note that Teat Score (TEAT) and Udder Suspension (UDDER) EPDs will not be part of the joint evaluation.

Understanding the Impact

EPD correlations between previous and current evaluations are exceptionally high, with correlations above 0.97 for all traits in AICA animals. Although the correlations are high, breeders should expect to observe changes in EPDs due to the inclusion of additional data. The individuals in the AICA herd book who will experience the most significant changes are those that have progeny data and/or an individual genotype added from the CCA herd book. This additional information enhances the accuracy of assessing relative genetic merit, especially for animals represented in both countries. It is also important to note that some changes will also be due to additional data and genotypes being added from AICA members since the previous April 2023 evaluation release.

Focus on the Ranking

Slight differences in base will affect the entire population particularly for Calving Ease and Maternal Calving Ease. The breed average EPD for active sires CE and MCE has moved from 6.1 to 10.1, respectively. As a breeder, it is important to focus on the individual ranking of animals to understand their relative genetic merit to the rest of the herd. Even though, an EPD may have changed many animals will rank very similarly. Updated percentile tables are available on the AICA website. No other changes in model structure, heritability estimates or trait descriptions will be experienced by AICA breeders.

Advancing the Mission

In conclusion, the new joint evaluation offers an improved understanding of the genetic merit of Charolais cattle within the North American population. These cattle play a significant role in the genetics of both nations’ cattle populations, and the joint evaluation serves as a valuable tool for Charolais breeders to further their contribution. If you have any questions regarding this new evaluation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the AICA office.

Ensuring Accurate Evaluations

For accurate evaluations in the joint North American Evaluation, it is crucial to match individual IDs between the USA and Canada. If you notice animals with differing EPDs between countries, please notify your respective breed association promptly. This ensures accurate cross-referencing and evaluation.

Upcoming Events

August 13 Missouri State Fair A ROE Show, Sedalia

August 24 Wright Online Sale

August 25 5J Online Sale

September 4 Autumn In The Ozarks, Strafford

September 16 Wild Indian Acres Female Sale, DeSoto

October 7 Bradley & Hankins Fall Colors Sale, Republic

October 14 Wild Indian Acres Bull Sale, Joplin

October 20 Royal Breeders Bull Classic, Kansas City

October 20 Royal Collection Sale, Kansas City

October 21 American Royal National ROE Sale, Kansas City

October 21 Angell-Thomas Production Sale, Paris

October 21 Bradley Bull Sale, Springfield

October 28 Mead Bull Sale, Versailles

November 4 Wright Female & Bull Sale, Kearney

December 2 Ridder Female & Bull Sale, Herman

View Point continued from page 17

Ringle, WI was invited to serve as the judge. Ty commented early in the morning he had been looking forward to judging the owned heifers at Junior National for several months. Throughout the day, Ty commented on the depth of quality and the challenge that quality created when ranking the heifers in certain classes. I heard numerous comments from spectators saying this was one of the deepest sets of heifers they had seen at Junior National. It was only fitting that the Grand Drive at the end of the day was spectacular. Like some of the best fireworks displays help earlier in the week, the final line-up of Division Champions and Reserve Division Champions was awesome, breath-taking, and inspiring to those who love outstanding Charolais cattle.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time meeting and interacting with numerous Charolais enthusiasts at the 2023 AIJCA Junior National.

Kaitlyn Chism, Director of Junior Activities for the AICA, said we had participants from 26 states which made for a fun week at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. As usual, Kaitlyn, the AIJCA Junior Board and summer interns did a wonderful job coordinating events, running shows, and providing exhibitors with plenty of opportunities to develop their leadership skills. As you know, the future of the Charolais breed lies with our youth and I enjoyed interacting with them for three days in a row. Special thanks to those individuals who took time to be interviewed and to the volunteers who served on the planning committee! I look forward to meeting more of you at Charolais events in the coming months.

JAMIE EGGLESTON 21130 379th Ave. • Wessington, SD 57381 (605) 883-4602 • Fax: (605) 883-4924 egglchar@santel.net • www.egglestoncharolais.com

J&M Ranch

Purebred Charolais Private Treaty Sales jrolson2664@gmail.com (605)

DAVID MASON

(605) 680-0780 • pvfcharolais78@gmail.com www.pvfcharolais.com 20629 443rd Ave Lake Preston, SD 57249

322nd Ave. • Bowdle, SD 57428 www.sandmeiercharolais.com

2023 Livestock Marketeers Hall of Fame Banquet

On June 13th, 2023, The Livestock Marketeers held their 58th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet in Kansas City, Mo. This year’s host was The American Hereford Association and Certified Hereford Beef. The 2023 class of inductees was comprised of Steve Sellers (Posthumous), Mike Sorensen and Joe Rickabaugh.

Steve Sellers served as the Director of Communications for the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association until his death in 2022. Previously Steve held positions with EDJE Technologies, Auction.com, and other firms. Steve and his wife CeCe called Lake Park, Ga home. Mike Sorensen is the longtime owner and publisher of Livestock Plus magazine. Based in Iowa, Mike made LPI a household name traveling the country and providing ring service for some of the most progressive purebred breeders. Mike and his wife Dixie reside in Greenfield, Ia. Joe Rickabaugh has served as the Central Region Field Representative and Director of

Seedstock Marketing for the American Hereford Association since 1999. Before his tenure at AHA, Joe worked for the Kansas Livestock Association. Joe and Tracey Rickabaugh currently live in Topeka, Ks. This year’s event saw the introduction of the Livestock Marketeers Scholarship. This award is aimed at college age students who are interested in entering the livestock marketing industry. Through generous sponsorships and donations, we will be able to deposit over $15,000 into our scholarship fund.

Obituary

Thomas Lynn Sonderup, 67, of Fullerton, NE, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023, at Merrick Medical Center in Central City.

Tom was born November 27, 1955, to Vern and Marilyn (Forbes) Sonderup at Grand Island, NE. He grew up on the family farm west of Fullerton and was involved in 4-H and FFA from an early age. He earned his state FFA degree and American FFA degree, served as a FFA state officer, along with winning the state 4-H speech contest. He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1974.

His junior high claim to fame was the first Charolais steer shown at the Nance County Fair, where he won grand champion in the show ring, won the rate of gain contest, and the carcass contest. His family purchased their first Charolais bull in 1962 and managed to haul him back to the farm in the back of a pickup, with his mom holding her breath the whole way.

He began building a registered Charolais herd in the early ‘70s, while still in high school. He graduated from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 1976 and met a pretty special lady, Sandy Larson. They dated in college and were united in marriage on November 25, 1978, at Bethany Presbyterian Church near Chambers, Nebraska. They spent their honeymoon snowed in just down the road. This year would have been their 45th anniversary.

Tom was active in the Nebraska Charolais Association and a member elected to the American-International Charolais Association (AICA) Board of Directors. He and Sandy were honored as the 1990 AICA Seedstock Producers of the Year. The late ‘90s was also a season of team penning for Tom, his brother-in-law Harold Larson, and friend Clark Smith. The trio won the state team penning award three years running.

Tom was known for his early adoption of AI and ET technology and was a firm believer in the linear measurement system for selecting cattle. He believed this system was proven for selecting cattle with high feed efficiency, red meat yield, reproductive efficiency, and performance. His customers always knew the bulls they were buying were selected for what was profitable at the packing house, not in the show ring. Together, he and Sandy hosted 42 bull sales in the spring and about 25 female sales in the fall. He exhibited cattle at Denver for almost 50 years, plus exhibiting at Husker Harvest Days and the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic. He also helped market cattle for other producers and always seemed to be able to connect buyers and sellers.

Tom was a strong believer in encouraging youth in 4-H, FFA, livestock, and agriculture. He hosted livestock judging teams at the ranch nearly every year and was always game to haul another heifer to a show or toss another kid in the pickup. He served as a member and president of the Nance County Ag Society for 40 plus years and volunteered countless hours raising money for the Youth Livestock Premium Sale.

When the state fair moved from Lincoln to Grand Island, he was approached by a few state fair board members about coming up with a solution to provide breakfast for the livestock exhibitors at the new facility. Those discussions led to the purchase of a food trailer and Papa Tom’s BBQ got its start. He quickly built a reputation for quality food, fast service, and affordable prices. Thirteen years later, he catered meals for many events at the state fair, Junior National Angus show, Junior National Charolais Show, Ak-Sar-Ben, and many other events. He also enjoyed serving food at county fairs around the area.

His pride and joy were his grandchildren and he always made time for playing and talking with them or as Rachel would say, “teaching them the right way to work with cattle”. He cherished quality family time, fishing with granddaughters, summer vacations (aka cattle show trips), watching his daughters and grandchildren play sports, and watching Husker volleyball. He really enjoyed all the visitors and phone calls over the past three months and was blown away by all the donations for the benefit.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy of Fullerton; four daughters, Kelly (Mike) Hale of Fullerton, Jamie (Ben) Keep of Scotia, Tracy (Brian) Gaston of Fullerton, Heidi (Stacey Singletary Jr.) Page of Fullerton; six grandchildren, Rachel, Charlotte, and Isabel Hale, Miles and Riley Keep, and Layla Page; sister, Nancy (Phil) Cole of Brule; brother, Mark (Kathy) Sonderup of Fullerton; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Obituary

Clifford Webster “Bud” Sloan, 84, Hamilton, MO., passed away on June 30, 2023, at the Northcare Hospice, at North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, MO. He previously lived in Lima, Illinois, and Silex and Kingston, MO.

Bud was born on April 24, 1939, in Kingston, MO., to Guy Virgil “Jack” and Florence Elizabeth (Webster) Sloan. He was a 1957 graduate of the Penney High School, Hamilton. He worked as a self-employed livestock sales manager and cattle farmer. He attended the Hamilton Federated Church as well as being a member of the Kingston Federated Church. Immediately following high school graduation, Bud held a variety of jobs including livestock trucker, and he worked for Rock Island Railroad and Otis Elevator Co. in Kansas City. Pursuing his greatest interest, he spent two years as swine herdsman for Ruben Edwards Hamp-An Farms, Middleton, MO. For the next 10 years, he was with J.C. McLean’s Dor-Mac Angus Farm, Quincy, IL., where he showed champions at nearly every major show in the nation. In 1964, he was honored to be the recipient of the John Brown Memorial Trophy as National Angus Herdsman of the Year. He spent two years as fieldman for the Drovers Journal and the following seventeen years associated with North American Auction Company. He worked over 40 years on a seasonal basis for the American Royal Livestock Show with the last 24 years as Livestock Manager. For over three decades, he owned and operated Continental Livestock Services, a professional sales service company focused on marketing of pedigreed cattle. At last count, he had worked on sales and shows in over 30 states and Canada. Bud was well-respected for and proud of his many contributions to the livestock industry.

On December 1, 1956, Bud married Doris Ann Blackburn in Kingston. She preceded him in death in 2014. Bud was also preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors: 4 daughters-Rosanne (Charles) Newland, Higginsville, MO.; Sherry Sloan, Arlington, TX.; Jackie Sloan, Jefferson City, MO.; and Crystal Gay Sloan, Liberty, MO.; 2 grandchildren-Leann (Jacob) Drury and Michael (Jamie) Newland, both of Higginsville; two great-grandchildrenLucas and Adaya Newland; brotherTed (Martha) Sloan, Hamilton; 1 niece and 3 nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hamilton Federated Church or the Stanley Stout Scholarship Fund at the American Royal.