Canada Beef Horizons by GENEX

GENEX

HORIZONS

FALL 2016 VOLUME 21 / NUMBER 1

Genex

Cooperative, Inc. A Subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International

the pros and cons “ Ifofwetwoareor weighing more service sires, the bull

with the higher PregCheck value wins! “Variation in service sire fertility is huge. At Heartland Cattle Company we see most A.I. service sires range anywhere from 50 to 90% for first service conception rate; with outlier bulls ranging all the way from 0 to 100%. Anything we can do to identify service sires that will consistently provide a 70% and higher first service conception rate is a big plus for our customers and our business. That’s why we pay close attention to the PregCheck ranking Genex calculates and provides. If we are weighing the pros and cons of two or more service sires, the bull with the higher PregCheck value wins! We believe this information will only get better over time with an expanded database. All of us at Heartland Cattle Company want to thank Genex for their proactive approach to solving what has become one of the industry’s biggest challenges!”

– Dr. Patsy Houghton, Owner and General Manager, Heartland Cattle Company

1AN01372 CONNEALY CONFIDENCE PLUS

1AN01371 EF COMMANDO 1366

Connealy Confidence 0100 x Connealy Consensus Reg#: 17585576

EF Complement 8088 x B/R Ambush 28 Reg#: 17082311

CONFIDENCE PLUS PregCheck™

107

74% Reliability

COMMANDO PregCheck™

CREATE 7%

CREATE 5%

with Confidence Plus

with Commando

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The Genex Fe

105

76% Reliability

rtili

Contact your local Genex representative for more information

”

BEEF HORIZONS FALL 2016 VOL. 21/NO. 1

Published annually for beef producers in Canada. PULICATION NUMBER 40022882

Return undeliverable mail to: Genex Cooperative, Inc. 291 Woodlawn Rd W U4C Guelph, Ontario N1H 7L6 TEL: 888.354.4622 EMAIL: cricanada@crinet.com WEBSITE: www.crinet.com

BEEF HORIZONS STAFF Lindsay Johnson, Editor Andy Graf, Graphic Designer

COVER PHOTO

As beef producers we know you wear many hats – accountants, veterinarians, market analysts, nutritionists, range scientists, and more! Tip your hat to Genex ... delegate a responsibility. With our chute-side service, Genex will take care of the details so you don’t have to. We start

Photo courtesy of Kim Cullen Goertz, Wheatland, Wyoming

with your goals and design a breeding program

Cooperative Resources International, their member cooperatives, agents or employees, cannot and do not guarantee the conception rate, quality or productivity to be obtained in connection with the use of their products or recommended techniques. THEY MAKE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WHICH EXTENDS BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCTS AND HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In the unlikely event that any of the products shall be proven to be defective, damages resulting from their use shall be limited to their purchase price.

Genex, we are experts in creating pregnancies

to maximize the profitability of your herd. At and providing genetic herd improvement. GIVE US A CALL; WE’D LIKE TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS.

Material may not be reproduced in any fashion without Cooperative Resources International’s permission.

MISSION STATEMENT

CRI is the global leader delivering excellence, innovation and value to members and customers as a strong cooperative.

GENEX STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

contents

Genex is the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value-added products and innovative services to members and customers.

4 6 7 8 11 12 15 18 20

| | | | | | | | |

Manufacturing at Its Finest Morley Named MOFA Global COO Sankey Joins Genex Beef Team Fall Beef Special Do More Than Pregnancy Check Feature Sires Split-Time A.I. to Optimize Timed Artificial Insemination New Acquisition Sires Information on Genex Sires and Services

MANUFACTURING

AT ITS FINEST By: Glen Gilbert, Vice President of Production, Genex

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.

– Charles Swindoll

Semen production in the bull is a dynamic process. The bull basically has a sperm factory that never takes a break. It constantly produces sperm 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. It does not take time off for holidays or bad weather, although weather can impact how the factory performs. So can a bull’s health, his body condition, nutritional status, age and his environment. The “assembly line” production process takes about 10 weeks to produce a sperm capable of fertilizing an egg. It’s a complex process in which cells divide to reduce their chromosomes (amount of DNA) by half, dramatically change their shape and grow a tail capable of motion. Any imperfection in the process, such as breaks in the strands of DNA, results in a defective sperm that won’t be fertile.

Climate Control

The thermostat in the factory is set to maintain the temperature at 4 degrees below body temperature. If the factory runs hotter than this, defective sperm is the result. To help ensure quality sperm, males are equipped with a sophisticated “air conditioner” that works to maintain the proper temperature. Features of that air conditioner include a large number of sweat glands along the surface of the bull’s scrotum, the ability to raise or lower the factory depending on the outside temperature and a system where warm arteriole blood coming from the body is cooled at the top of the scrotum by cooler blood returning from the testis. In over-conditioned bulls, fat deposits in the top of the scrotum interfere with this cooling mechanism and result in a factory that is too warm. Bulls that are overconditioned, as is the case with some beef bulls when they first arrive at Genex, will tend to produce semen with a high number of defective sperm. For many of those beef bulls, it is a balancing act between the animal “looking good” and producing good quality semen. Of course, things such as hot summer temperatures or illness with fever can overwhelm the factory’s cooling capacity and result in defective sperm too. Even brief thermal insults lasting only a few days can impair normal semen production for several months. A bull with “good quality” semen one day can have a change in quality the following day. That is why the Genex laboratory staff examines each and every collection that arrives in the laboratory in numerous ways.

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BEEF HORIZONS

Screening for Fatal Flaws

Quality Control Commitment

Sperm need to be able to swim, have an adequate energy supply, As for production protocols, from the time a bull leaves his stall to go to the collection arena until his semen comes out of the be able to move up through the uterus into the oviduct, attach freezer, no less than 56 distinct steps are carefully carried out to the lining of the oviduct and wait for a signal from the female and monitored. Throughout the process, staff work by the motto, that her ova will be passing by soon. Then, the sperm needs to “If there’s any doubt, throw it out.” have enough energy to pull away from the lining of the oviduct by becoming hyper-motile, possess the necessary membrane That motto and the laboratory staff’s work doesn’t end when the structure that can attach to the ova and have the enzymes semen is frozen in liquid nitrogen. Instead, straws from each necessary to digest its way through the covering of the egg. batch are then thawed and again inspected in the laboratory Finally, the sperm needs to have the right complement of DNA to ensure an adequate number of quality sperm survived the that will combine with the ova’s DNA to create an embryo. Once freezing process. Demonstrating the cooperative’s commitment inside, its DNA must be fully functional and not have any lethal to quality, in the past year 1.5 million straws went into the genetic defects. dumpster after failing this inspection. Every bull will produce some sperm that have flaws. Some sperm can’t swim. Some don’t have adequate energy stored. Some have faulty membranes, and some don’t have properly packaged DNA. Any one of these flaws causes that individual sperm to be useless. However, as long as enough of the entire population has the necessary traits, a bull’s semen will be fertile when deposited at the right time and the right place in a female’s reproductive tract.

Dedication to quality control meansः

Collectively these necessary physical characteristics of a population of sperm are referred to as “semen quality.” Each collection arriving in a Genex laboratory is screened to ensure it has sufficient numbers of sperm with those quality characteristics. If an ejaculate does not have adequate quality, it ends up in the dumpster. This past year Genex laboratory staff evaluated the physical characteristics of over 51,000 ejaculates collected from 615 Genex bulls. Of these, approximately 6,500 ejaculates ended up in the trash after the initial screening because the population of cells in the ejaculate had too many defects.

Production Protocols

Those collections that pass the initial screening tests are allowed to proceed to the next steps in the Genex production process: adding preservation media and freezing. Following the protocols precisely for preservation and freezing is important in order to yield an adequate number of normal sperm per straw after freezing.

IF THERE’S ANY DOUBT, THROW IT OUT.

Meeting Members’ Expectations

In total, in the last 12 months staff have collected enough sperm from Genex bulls to make approximately 18 million straws of semen. Of that, enough semen to make 7.5 million straws ended up in the dumpster because the sperm did not have the right physical traits to live up to the cooperative’s values of quality and integrity. The Genex production and laboratory staff’s commitment is an important reason the cooperative is the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics. 

Protocols are also important because each part of the process can influence others, even the preservation media and the method by which it is added to the semen, the precise ratio of semen to extension media, the rate of temperature change of the extended semen to 40 degrees (F), the period of time the semen spends at 40 degrees, and the rate of temperature change between 40 degrees and liquid nitrogen temperature.

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

IN THE NEWS

CRI Researchers Gather in Shawano

Earlier this summer, CRI scientists and other staff members associated with research and development gathered to discuss the status and plans for major areas of CRI research programming. With 29 people in attendance, the collective group represents the significant increase in CRI’s commitment to research and development. 

Morley Named MOFA Global COO

In Memory

MOFA Global announces Dave Morley as Chief Operating Officer, with the retirement of company founder Ludwig Simmet. MOFA Global, a sister subsidiary to Genex, is a leading provider of assisted reproduction technologies for porcine, bovine, equine and canine.

Floyd Darling of Treherne, Manitoba, passed away on June 7, 2016. Floyd began working in the artificial insemination (A.I.) industry in the late 1970s. Floyd and his wife, Joan, started their independent contractor business and through mergers and acquisitions, began working for Genex in 2002. Floyd was eager to teach others about A.I. and assisted with many A.I. training schools throughout the years.

“Dave’s training, manufacturing experience and involvement in employee programs make him an excellent COO choice,” states Doug Wilson, CEO of Cooperative Resources International (parent company of Genex and MOFA Global). “His experience and dedication, coupled with mentoring by Simmet, will enable MOFA Global to continue leading the industry in providing quality products and customer service throughout North America and around the globe.” Since December 2001, Dave has served as MOFA Global’s Vice President of Operations, overseeing operational aspects from purchasing and manufacturing to assembly and shipping. During his tenure, he also contributed to international marketing organization and growth, assisting with the acquisition of MOFA Global Mexico and operations at MOFA Global Canada. In addition, he helped lead building projects for both MOFA Global and the CRI International Center for Biotechnology. 

F A L L 2 0 16

BEEF HORIZONS

Albert Harrison of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, passed away on January 4, 2016. Albert was well-known in the purebred and commercial cattle industry. He began his A.I. career in the early 1970s and dedicated his life to taking care of his customers’ needs. Albert was instrumental in setting up many large-scale breeding projects in western Canada. 

IN THE NEWS

The Right Team, The Right Choice

Sankey Joins Genex Beef Team

Genex has long been known for the industry’s best chute-side service, most knowledgeable people and world-class beef genetics. Those are just some of the reasons Scott Schiff of Schiff Farms chose Genex to be part of his team. 

Cody Sankey of Economy, Indiana, has joined Genex as the cooperative’s new Beef Sire Procurement Manager.

http://bit.ly/GenexRightTeamRightChoice

Find Out First on Facebook! Be the first to know about Genex sires, products and more. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRICanada/ for up-to-date information and sneak peaks into the cooperative. Also, follow us on Twitter and YouTube! 

“We are pleased to welcome Cody to the Genex beef team,” states Brad Johnson, Genex Director of Beef Genetics, “We believe his past experiences will serve him well in this role, as he’s gained a great combination of cow sense and science-based knowledge.” Sankey is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in ruminant nutrition. During his time at Oklahoma State, he also competed on a national champion livestock judging team. After college, Sankey managed the Michigan State University Beef Cattle Center for eight years and coached the university’s livestock judging team. Most recently, he worked for a livestock nutrition and animal microbiology company based in Indiana. He also serves on the Indiana Beef Cattle Association board of directors and is the second vice president of the Indiana Angus Association. Sankey is a fifth generation cattleman. He hails from Sankey’s 6N Ranch in Council Grove, Kansas, the second longest running registered Angus herd in the U.S. Today, he and his wife raise Angus and Hereford cattle and remain active in both their families’ cattle operations. 

“Cow Sense

Science”

This is a great source for information on what is happening at Genex that pertains to beef. Information ranges anywhere from new bull photos to new sire acquisitions to anything happening at Genex. We invite you to learn more and stay connected with us! To sign up, scan the QR code or visit http://bit.ly/cow-sense

FALL BEEF SPECIAL

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1AN01238 RESOURCE

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1AN01355 ALTITUDE

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F A L L 2 0 16

BEEF HORIZONS

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1AR00959 DEEP END

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1SM00143 HIGH STAKES

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BEEF HORIZONS

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F A L L 2016

PregChiteycAdkvantage ™

The Genex F

ertil

. n e p o e b o t r e h r o f d You can’t affor females pregnant. e or m t ge to s re si en Use PregCheck prov riven fertility ranking. -d ta da ly on ’s ry st du in The A .I.

DO MORE THAN

PREGNANCY CHECK

By Sarah Thorson, Beef Marketing and Education Manager, Genex

For most producers, high on the fall to-do list is pregnancy checking the herd. It’s an important herd management step because, as we all know, culling the open females can lead to significant savings at the feed pile. Along with pregnancy detection, there is another important observation you should make while the pregnant female is in the chute – body condition score (BCS).

At pregnancy check you want the majority of cows in a BCS 5 or 6 for optimal reproductive performance. Visual appearance of female in BCS 5 or 6: • Outline of spine is not visible • At most, the outline of one to two ribs is visible • The outline of hip and pin bones will be visible • Little to no fat in brisket and flanks

Feeding a female into a higher BCS at calving is a losing proposition, limited by the cow’s ability to consume enough to overcome her energy deficit and the size of your feed bill. That is why body condition scoring at pregnancy check is such an important tool. At pregnancy check cows are in mid-gestation, which is one of their lowest maintenance energy requirement times, therefore it is the most economical time to add body condition.

Visual appearance of female in BCS 3 or 4: • Spine is highly visible • The outline of several ribs is visible • Hip and pin bones can be viewed • No fat in brisket and flanks

The quandary of waiting until calving to observe body condition is that a female in her early post-partum period is experiencing some of the highest maintenance energy requirements of her life. This is especially true for 2-yearolds who not only work hard to produce milk to raise their calf but are still growing themselves.

Once you have BCS score information, it is important to use it. If pasture or pen space is available, it is a good idea to group cattle by body condition. You can then manage thin females to gain condition and manage other females to maintain body condition in the most efficient manner possible.

Research tells us body condition score at calving has one of the greatest impacts on rebreeding performance. For a cow to maintain a 365-day calving interval, she must be rebred by 82 days post-calving. Cows that calve at a BCS 3 or 4, on average, exhibit first estrus at approximately 80 days post-calving, making it very difficult to maintain a one-year calving interval. On the other hand, females that calve at a BCS 5 or 6 average 55 days to first heat post-calving.1

The importance of body condition score and its role in the rebreeding efficiency of your herd should not be overlooked. After all, the success of your next breeding season is largely determined before this year’s calf crop hits the ground!  References: Rasby, Rick. Body Condition Scoring Your Beef Cow Herd. University of NebraskaLincoln. Learning Modules.

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

LEADERS IN

INNOVATION AND COW SENSE These sires exemplify the Genex philosophy of combining “Cow Sense and Science” and will be the next influential sires in the industry. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to use these genetics in your herd; contact your local Genex representative today.

1AN01240 Effective

PregCheck™

100

91% Reliability

CED BW WW YW DOC MILK MARB 13 -2.6 45 .74 .85 .80

85 .73

27 .65

20 0.80 0.57 50.89 94.51 .42 .47 .45

Reg. No. 17065105 CAR Efficient 534 x S A V Final Answer 0035

Effective is a customer satisfaction bull! Progeny are born easy, vigorous at birth and “made right.” Whether on commercial heifers or seedstock cows, Effective is a versatile sire and a profitable choice for any breeding program.

1AN01365 Renown

CED BW WW YW DOC MILK MARB 2 .59

2.4 .86

72 119 38 .79 .70 .70

29 0.14 0.92 79.15 149.53 .28 .37 .41

Reg. No. 17633839 | Rito 707 of Ideal 3407 7075 x S A V 8180 Traveler 004

Renown is the result of the same proven and predictable mating that created Resource; he is backed by the Blackcap May cow family that leads the breed in producing A.I. sires. His progeny combine modest birth weights with phenomenal phenotypic quality, breed‑leading performance, superior structure and great disposition – truly in a league of their own.

Angus EPDs as of 8/26/16.

F A L L 2 0 16

PregCheck rankings as of 8/1/16.

BEEF HORIZONS

FEATURE SIRES

GENEX FEATURE SIRES

1AN01337 Innovation

PregCheck™

101

79% Reliability

CED BW WW YW DOC MILK MARB 8 .61

2.1 .85

73 115 20 .78 .58 .39

17 0.64 0.91 65.36 106.57 .41 .60 .58

Reg. No. 16983331 Connealy Impression x S A V Final Answer 0035

One of the best all-around performance and maternal sires. Innovation offers incredible body capacity and width of base with huge testicles and a perfect disposition, while exhibiting some of the best feet in the Angus lineup. His dam and grandam are productive females that can survive harsh environments and raise big, heavy calves.

1AN01356 Allied

CED BW WW YW DOC MILK MARB 10 -0.3 71 122 14 .39 .44 .33 .36 .31

31 0.90 0.30 79.96 134.39 .20 .32 .28

Reg. No. 17938417 | Plattemere Weigh Up K360 x Schiefelbein Objective 980

Allied is a double-digit calving ease bull with breed-leading growth, moderate milk and top 1% $W. Powerfully designed, big-hipped and masculine with added body length and backed by a productive, young cow, he will work well on Final Answer and Bismarck influenced females.

1AN01360 Element

PregCheck™

82% Reliability

CED BW WW YW DOC MILK MARB 18 -2.6 66 114 7 .60 .74 .63 .61 .29

24 0.23 0.58 69.91 128.78 .17 .34 .36

Reg. No. 17383988 Poss Easy Impact 0119 x ALC Big Eye D09N

Element boasts sleep-all-night calving ease, big time performance, tons of mating flexibility, mid‑range MILK EPD and high quality daughters. He sires sound, big‑ribbed progeny with tremendous style and base width. He is extremely unique in the exceptional performance and powerful phenotype he transmits for a +18 CED sire.

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

FEATURE SIRES These sires exemplify the Genex philosophy of combining “Cow Sense and Science” and will be the next influential sires in the industry. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to use these genetics in your herd; contact your local Genex representative today.

1AR00957 PROFITBUILDER

GM CED BW WW YW MILK MARB REA

221 56

15 -3.5 80 131 24 1.09 0.27 .36 .44 .36 .36 .26 .30 .24

Reg. No. 1683223 | LSF Takeover 9943W x Beckton Nebula P P707

Put some profit in your program! Genetically, one of the best Red Angus bulls in the entire breed. Not only great EPDs, Profitbuilder is long-bodied, sound and complete in his structural design and slick haired. Use Profitbuilder to produce sons that make it fun to be in the bull business.

1AR00956 Federalist

GM CED BW WW YW MILK MARB

102 52

10 -2.7 54 .30 .33 .28

87 .27

34 .17

REA

0.93 0.16 .24 .24

Reg. No. 1689751 | Andras Fusion R236 x Basin Trend Setter 6074

Federalist is a dark red, outcross sire that offers calving ease, solid phenotype and balanced EPDs. He is an ideal prospect to add maternal strength, depth of rib and foot quality.

1SM00150 True Justice

CED BW WW YW

MM DOC MB

REA

API

14.4 0.1 83.6 131.0 23.8 10.4 -0.01 -0.053 1.11 130.8 81.5 .47 .64 .41 .44 .26 .15 .40 .21 .30

Reg. No. 2878160 | BDV True Grit 11X x MLC Mr Justice W744

True Justice has low birth weight and calving ease potential, with a set of EPDs that read extremely well all the way across the data line. True Justice should sire a bit more frame and volume, on a good foot. Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled.

1HP00844 KLONDIKE

CED BW WW YW MILK REA MARB $BMI $CHB 7.5 .32

0.1 .48

59 .32

94 .35

27 0.23 0.17 .16 .27 .25

Reg. No. 43465340 | FTF Prospector 145Y x DRF JWR Prince Victor 71I

A proven Genex pedigree – a Prospector son out of a full sister to Victor 719T. Klondike offers a unique combination of phenotype, cow family and outstanding performance. He should sire low birth weight, early rapid growth cattle and leave superior replacement females. Homozygous Polled

F A L L 2 0 16

BEEF HORIZONS

SPLIT-TIME A.I. to Optimize Timed Artificial Insemination

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) programs call for A.I. to be performed at a specific time following prostaglandin (PG) administration. For instance, research has shown that following the 14-day CIDR‑PG protocol for heifers, the pregnancy rate is highest when A.I. is performed 66 hours after PG administration. However, I also know that not all heifers express estrus prior to FTAI. For that reason, all heifers enrolled in the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol are given gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) at the time of A.I. Still, research has shown that pregnancy rates are 27% lower among females that do not express estrus prior to FTAI.1 That’s a significant number. This all makes me wonder, is that so-called “fixed-time” right for all females? Could timed A.I. pregnancy rates be improved for females not expressing estrus prior to the appointed time for FTAI? These were questions University of Missouri researchers aimed to answer.

Split-time A.I.

University of Missouri researchers have developed an alternative approach to manage timed insemination of cows and heifers that have not expressed estrus prior to FTAI. This approach, known as split-time A.I., delays insemination of non-estrous females until 20 to 24 hours after the scheduled time. Split-time A.I. improved timed A.I. pregnancy rates among beef replacement heifers following the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol2 and among mature beef cows following the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol.3,4 Use of split-time A.I. following these protocols is diagrammed in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1: 14-d CIDR-PG protocol for heifers with split-time A.I. Figure 1. 14-day CIDR-PG protocol for heifers with split-time A.I.

GnRH Non-estrous Heifers

CIDR

A.I. Estrous Heifers

A.I. Remaining Heifers

…66 hr… …20–24 hr…

Treatment Day

Figure 2. 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for cows with split-time A.I. Figure 2. 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for cows with split‑time A.I.

GnRH Non-estrous Cows GnRH

PG CIDR®

A.I. Estrous Cows

A.I. Remaining Cows

…66 hr… …20–24 hr…

10 Treatment Day

See pages 84 and 85 of the 2016 Beef Genetic Management Guide for heifer and cow synchronization protocols.

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

Estrus Detection Aids

To identify animals that have not expressed estrus, ESTROTECT ™ estrus detection aids can be applied at the time of the final PG administration. ESTROTECT patches are designed with a scratch-off coating that is removed progressively as an animal in heat stands to be mounted. Because of this design, producers can have a high degree of confidence about the estrous status of females. In split-time A.I., an animal is considered as having expressed estrus when more than 50% of the scratch-off coating has been removed from the ESTROTECT patch (Figure 3). Figure 3. Determining estrus expression using ESTROTECT patches.

ESTROUS

NON-ESTROUS

In field trials conducted by the University of Missouri, pregnancy rates of non-estrous females were improved 16% by delaying insemination 20 to 24 hours. Tables 1 and 2 compare data from field trials using split-time A.I. and FTAI in heifers and cows.2,4 Table 1. Pregnancy rates of heifers following the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol

Pregnancy Rate Estrous Response Estrous by 66 hours Non-estrous by 66 hours

52%

(161/311)

34% a

(54/157)

Estrous by 90 hours

—

Non-estrous by 90 hours

—

Total a,b

FTAI

46%

(215/468)

Split-Time A.I. 56%

(183/328)

49% b

(66/135)

66%

(48/73)

29%

(18/62)

54%

(249/463)

Percentages within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05)

Table 2. Pregnancy rates of mature cows following the 7-day CO‑Synch + CIDR protocol

Pregnancy Rate

Split-time A.I. and GnRH

In addition to offering improved pregnancy rates compared to FTAI, split-time A.I. allows for a reduction in GnRH use. Administration of GnRH was not found to be required for cows or heifers with activated ESTROTECT patches at A.I.5 Therefore, insemination can be performed without GnRH administration for cows and heifers that have expressed estrus prior to the standard breeding time, as well as for cows and heifers that expressed estrus prior to the delayed time point. Questions still remain as to the effectiveness of GnRH administration in non-estrous heifers6; however, it is currently recommended that GnRH be administered to both cows and heifers that have not expressed estrus by the delayed time point.

Anticipated Improvements

The 14-day CIDR-PG and 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocols have been extensively evaluated in heifers and cows, respectively, and timing of estrus expression following these protocols is very consistent. However, the proportion of heifers and cows expressing estrus prior to the standard breeding time is somewhat variable, as estrus expression is influenced by the cyclicity rate of the herd and other factors, such as weather. The extent to which pregnancy rates are improved using split-time A.I. compared to FTAI likely varies based on the proportion of cows and heifers expressing estrus prior to 66 hours. Typically, 30-50% of mature cows and 20-40% of heifers fail to express estrus prior to 66 hours after PG following the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR and 14-day CIDR-PG protocols, respectively.

F A L L 2 0 16

BEEF HORIZONS

Estrous Response

FTAI

Estrous by 66 hours

58%

Non-estrous by 66 hours

35% a

(47/133)

Estrous by 90 hours

—

Non-estrous by 90 hours

—

Total a,b

(116/200)

49%

(163/333)

Split-Time A.I. 58%

(135/231)

51% b

(55/107)

63%

(37/59)

38%

(18/48)

56%

(190/338)

Percentages within a row with different superscripts differ (P < 0.05)

Potential improvements in pregnancy rates appear to be dependent on estrus expression occurring during the 20- to 24-hour delay period. Large data sets for timing of estrus expression in heifers following the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol suggest a sizable proportion of the synchronized group of heifers express estrus during this delay period (Figure 4). Interestingly, further consideration of these results suggested that pregnancy rates achieved using split-time A.I. were similar to those achieved when A.I. was performed based on detected estrus over a six-day period. In results from the University of Missouri, 55% of both heifers and cows that had failed to express estrus by 66 hours after PG went on to express estrus by the time delayed A.I. was performed. Split-time A.I. has not been evaluated extensively with protocols other than those described here. Because the timing of estrus expression varies from protocol to protocol, it is unknown whether pregnancy rates to split-time A.I. are improved over FTAI following the administration of other protocols.

Figure 4: Timing of estrus expression for beef heifers following the 14-d CIDR-PG protocol (Leitman et al., 2009a; Leitman et al., 2009b; Mallory et al., 2010)

Figure 4. Timing of estrus for beef heifers following the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol. 5

Estrus Expression (by 6 hour intervals) 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15

74% exhibited estrus 0-66 hours

14% exhibited estrus 66-90 hours

5% exhibited estrus >90 hours

7% Non-Responders

0.10 0.05

R N

18 -2 4 24 -3 0 30 -3 6 36 -4 2 42 -4 8 48 -5 4 54 -6 0 60 -6 6 66 -7 2 72 -7 8 78 -8 4 84 -9 0 90 -9 6 96 -1 02 10 210 8 10 811 4 11 412 0 12 012 6 12 613 2 13 213 8

Interval after PG administration (hours)

Economic Impact

When using split-time A.I. rather than FTAI, two additional costs are incurred: the cost of the ESTROTECT estrus detection aids and the cost of the additional labor for animal handling at the delayed time. However, cost savings are realized for the GnRH product because animals with activated estrus detection aids do not require GnRH administration. Total estrous response when using split-time A.I. is frequently 85% or higher (see cumulative response by 90 hours after PG in Figure 4). Therefore, the cost associated with GnRH administration is likewise reduced by 85% or more. This GnRH cost savings alone typically offsets the ESTROTECT and additional labor costs. Most importantly, the increase in pregnancy rates (generally an increase of 5% or more for the synchronized group overall) using split-time A.I. offers additional value to producers, as markets have shown heifers carrying an A.I. pregnancy command higher prices than those carrying a natural service pregnancy Table 3 presents a cost scenario in which split-time A.I. rather than FTAI is used for 100 heifers. For the additional animal handling, labor costs are estimated based on four people working two hours at $10 per hour, for a total of eight man-hours. Estrus detection aids can range in price based on the quantity purchased but are estimated at $1.30 per patch in this analysis. Cost of GnRH product likewise varies based on manufacturer and quantity purchased, but is estimated at $3 per dose in this analysis. Conservatively, use of split-time A.I. can be expected to achieve five or more additional A.I. pregnancies per 100 head. In this analysis, the value of an A.I. pregnancy is assumed to be $211, based on the average premium associated with heifers carrying an A.I. versus natural service pregnancy among heifers selling in the Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program from 2010 to 2015.

Table 3. Example cost scenario of the value of split-time A.I. versus fixed-time A.I. for a group of 100 heifers

Item

Value/ Unit

Units

Value

ESTROTECT Cost

($1.30)

100

($130.00)

Labor cost

($10.00)

($80)

GnRH cost-savings

($3.00)

$255

Additional A.I. pregancies

$211.00

Net value

$1,055 $1,100

Summary

Timed A.I. pregnancy rates can be optimized through use of a split-time A.I. approach following administration of the 14-day CIDR-PG protocol for heifers and the 7-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol for mature cows. ESTROTECT estrus detection aids applied at the time PG is administered allow producers to determine the estrous status of females and inseminate at an optimal time. Moreover, split-time A.I. facilitates a reduction in GnRH use, as producers can limit GnRH administration to only those females that have not expressed estrus by the time of delayed insemination.  References: Perry and Smith. ARSBC Proceedings 2015;208–32. 2. Thomas et al. J Anim Sci 2014;92:4189–97. 3. Thomas et al. J Anim Sci 2014;92:1745–50. 4. Bishop et al. Theriogenology 2016;86:1102–1110. 5. Bishop et al. J Anim Sci 2016;94, E-Suppl. 5:523. 6. Bishop et al. J Anim Sci 2016;94, E-Suppl. 5:524.

Adapted with permission from University of Missouri Extension

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

NEW ACQUISITIONS 1AR00962 LSF SRR

ELITE 5356C

$35

Reg. No. 1744885

Beckton Nebula P P707 Brown Premier X7876 Brown Ms Destination T7664

Basin EXT 7455 SRR Chris 957-673 SRR Chris 673-248

This powerfully constructed young sire does so many things well from his excellent CED/BW to a stout YW EPD, but what really makes him unique is his excellent maternal EPD traits. Elite sports EPDs for HPG, CEM and STAY all in the top 10% of the breed or better with a moderate MILK EPD that’s ideal for many environments! Not to be overlooked is the end product merit he offers – breed‑leading MARB, CW and GM index makes Elite a well-rounded genetic package. HB

GM CED

83 .36

127 .38

15% 25%

176 52

LIVE AMMO 420B

1SM00158 WINC

9 -3.0 .30 .42

MILK

19 .26

HPG CEM STAY

14 .24

7 .34

16 .39

10%

MARB

0.60 .33

0.10 .27

41 .32

REA

FAT

0.05 0.000 .27 .36

10%

$35

Reg. No. 2885552

Remington On Target 2S Remington Lock N Load54U BAR15 Miss Knight78E-51G

R&R Warehouse K609 RCFS Sweet Treat Triple C Beauty J31C

A bull most like his sire, Lock N Load, Live Ammo was a pleasant find in the herd inspections of summer 2015. He is a very athletic and thick bull that’s marked similar to his sire, but most importantly, he’s an excellent semen producer. Be sure to watch his video on the website. Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled, Red Charlie carrier. CED

ADG

10%

8.6 1.9 67.8 112.7 0.28 .28 .44 .38 .42 .42

1SM00159 BCLR

WIDE LOAD C21-3

MCE

8.2 .23

MWW STAY DOC

15%

REA

SHR

18.9 52.8 13.5 10.5 40.3 -0.39 -0.13 -0.038 1.30 -0.30 .24 .29 .32 .15 .34 .24 .38 .22 .28 .20

API

65.9

$35

Reg. No. 3071312

S D S Graduate 006X CCR Wide Range 9005A CCR Ms Apple 9332W

HSF High Roller 12T WS Mother Lode W21 WS Miss Beefway T7

The Genex pick of the Bichler Simmentals’ sale due to his potential calving ease and maternal strength of dam. His High Roller dam is viewed as one of the very best cows in the northern plains. Wide Load is unique to many Genex Simmental pedigrees, providing mating flexibility. He has already entered stud so semen may be available early this spring. Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled, 7/8 Simmental.

49HP03050 SULL TCC MR

13.8 -1.6 69.4 112.3 0.27 12.6 30.6 65.3 .21 .23 .22 .21 .21 .15 .16 .18

CED

ADG

MCE

MWW STAY DOC

12.7 34.6 -0.25 0.32 .10 .18 .17 .21

10%

25%

10%

15%

20%

25%

REA

SHR

API

20%

25%

-0.015 0.97 -0.41 155.6 79.4 .22 .19 .07

15%

$65

CUSTOM MADE 340 ET

Reg. No. 43457417

THM Durango 4037 CRR About Time 743 CRR D03 Cassie 206

Ankonian Midas 72 TCC Miss Shelby 82 ET LCC Two Timin 438 ET

Champions run through his blood as his sire, dam and full sister were all Denver champions. He has all the look and design you would want in a crossbred sire but yet combines it all in a purebred Polled Hereford package. Custom Made truly is royally bred and you’re not going to want to miss out on him. CED

2.0 3.4 .24 .60

28SM01358 FGAF

POPEYE 088A

BEEF HORIZONS

88 .29

MILK

24 .19

M & G CETM MCW UDDR TEAT

2.0 110 1.23 1.18 0.8 .20 .25 P P .17

FAT

REA MARB $BMI

10%

63 -0.056 0.70 -0.04 .23 .18 .19 .17

$CEZ

$BII

$CHB

25%

$40 Overhall Hivy FGAF Seldom 835L RAJ MS Arnold 21F

Champs Trilogy FGAF Cha Cha Cha 908Z Nosaterra Real Wish 69U

Popeye is one of the top Seldom sons ever sold. Ranking in the top 10% for CE and BW, Popeye is a great option for heifers. His MILK ranks in the top 5% of the breed. He has plenty of young, muscular, attractive calves on the ground at Ferme Gagnon Inc. and Bristol View Farms. CE

F A L L 2 0 16

53 .29

Reg. No. 801473 (CAN)

11.7 .31

0.3 .35

10%

59.6 .33

82 .34

MCE

4.2 .23

MILK

MWW

15%

34.5 .23

64.2 .25

18.8 .28

FAT

-0.11 -0.069 .08 .10

REA

0.5 .07

20%

INFORMATION ON GENEX SIRES AND SERVICES

For a complete lineup of Genex sires visit the website www.crinet.com

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

CITY

PHONE NUMBERS

To Order Genex Beef Semen – Canada

ALBERTA Reed Crapo Neil Hazel Doug Henderson Walter Huber Riley Merrill Charles Munro John Wall

Gem Olds Lacombe Leduc Lethbridge Standard Tofield

403.641.2253 403.994.0629 403.782.3888 780.986.4319 403.360.6862 403.701.1548 780.232.1072

BRITISH COLUMBIA Dianne Austin Nick Coman

Quesnel 250.992.5269 New Westminster 778.773.2897

MANITOBA Joan Darling Allan Malenko Blair & Lois McRae Dale Studer Tracey & Patrick Wilcox

Treherene Winnipeg Brandon Virden Treherne

204.723.2690 204.981.3536 204.728.3058 204.748.1251 204.528.7060

NEW BRUNSWICK Gary Graham

Anagance

506.756.2675

NOVA SCOTIA John Best

Middleton

902.825.6420

ONTARIO Hans Brus Randy Burns Tom Coulter JJ Deslippe Katie Deslippe Peter Frjiters Anton Heinzle Doug Wingrove

Tilsonburg Arthur Coburg St. Marys St. Marys Brunner Glen Robertson Cambridge

519.983.4493 519.835.2368 905.342.2339 519.275.1739 519.274.3882 519.276.9314 613.678.7169 519.827.5470

Contact your local Genex representative. Genex Canada Order Direct. Contact the Genex Canada office 888.354.4622 cricanada@crinet.com Patty Lasby Market Development Manager plasby@crinet.com

Patty Lasby

Photo Requests To receive an email copy of a bull photo contact Lindsay Johnson ljohnson@crinet.com or 715.526.7631

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Kurt Duncan Cornwall

902.393.3032

QUEBEC Mario Cantin Chuck Fowler Patrick Isabel

418.241.6695 819.574.6685 418.215.0230

Luc Noiseux

Montmagny Stanstead St Romain St Paul D'Abbotsford

SASKATCHEWAN Cody Allin Terry Cunningham Mike Franc Kevin Hawreluk Clayton Kormos Cam Morgan Robert Raymond Leroy Steinhubl Craig Thoms Gar Williams Colby Wolkowski

Webb White Fox Prince Albert Sheho Yorkton Saltcoats Aneroid Balgonie Saskatoon Borden Canora

306.741.9817 306.276.2416 306.930.8684 306.269.7323 306.782.5852 306.744.7411 306.625.7479 306.781.2842 306.221.8694 306.997.4909 306.563.7567

AREA SALES MANAGERS Neil Richardson

$60.00 $54.00 $51.00 $48.00 $45.00

$50.00 $45.00 $42.50 $40.00 $37.50

$45.00 $40.50 $38.25 $36.00 $33.75

$40.00 $36.00 $34.00 $32.00 $30.00

$35.00 $31.50 $29.75 $28.00 $26.50

$30.00 $27.00 $25.50 $24.00 $22.00

$25.00 $22.50 $21.50 $20.00 $18.00

$20.00 $18.00 $17.00 $16.00 $15.00

$15.00 $13.50 $13.00 $12.50 $12.00

Cremona, AB

450.379.9989

403.713.1011

Bulls can be combined for the Volume Special.* Short supply bulls may be excluded from this volume special, however untis purchased will be considered part of the unit total. Canada Order Direct Desk To order Semen or A.I. Certificates 1.888.354.4622. Contact your Genex Representative about the Agline Beef Deferral Program!

BEEF HORIZONS

F A L L 2016

Genex Cooperative, Inc. 291 Woodlawn Rd W Unit 4C Guelph, Ontario N1H 7L6

PUBLICATION NUMBER 40022882 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

NEW

PHOTOS 1AN01365 RENOWN

1AN01358 BLASTER

1AN01331 CARTWRIGHT

1AN01337 INNOVATION

1AN01367 HUSKER

28SK00039 BAZINGA

1AN01240 EFFECTIVE

1AR00956 FEDERALIST

B-13162-16

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