FRONTLINE
A NEWS SOURCE FOR COMMERCIAL BEEF PRODUCERS
SPRING 2015
VOLUME 7
ISSUE 1
beef producer
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 1
Your SOURCE for Top Quality Registered & Commercial Brangus Cattle
Proud Members of
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Circle Land & Cattle Co., Ltd. Camp Cooley Ranch • Bobcat Bottoms Ranch • Persimmon Creek Ranch Spring Valley Ranch • Windy Hill Ranch • Vista Ridge Ranch
2 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
located just off Hwy. 6 and OSR 1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • S.Densmore@bre.com Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell
SPRING 2015
4
OUT FRONT:
8
OUT FRONT:
12
FACES OF THE INDUSTRY:
18
FEATURE:
Kyle Dykes
Administration/Circulation
22
FEATURE:
26
FEATURE:
30
GENETICS:
40 42 44
It’s Time to Take Advantage of Technology by: Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS
FRONTLINE Beef Producer
2014 IBBA Year-End Review
Brangus Publications Inc. Editor and Layout/Art Director
Tyler Dean
Providing a Livelihood for Generations by: Brittni Drennan
Commercial Marketing Coordinator
Brangus is Getting the Attention it Deserves by: Justin Hergenreder
Frances Miller
Do You Need Some Ear? Match Cattle With the Climate, Not Just the Market by: Larry Stalcup
The Proof is in the Results by: Gordon Carstens, Kirby Jackson and Dan Hale Genomic-Enhanced EPDs by: Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D.
Contributing Editors
Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS Brittni Drennan Justin Hergenreder Larry Stalcup Gordon Carstens Kirby Jackson Dan Hale Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D. Advertising
Melanie Fuller, 979.255.3343 Kyle Dykes, 254.371.9388
SERVICES CALENDER
Operations
Rosanne Nelson Patti Teeler
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FRONTLINE Beef Producer is a product of:
Brangus Publications, Inc. 5750 Epsilon San Antonio, Texas 78249 Phone: 210.696.8231 Fax: 210.696.8718 Brangus Publications, Inc. Directors: Traci Middleton, Chairman Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS, President Brandon Belt, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Vorel, Director Danny Farris, Director Information appearing in this issue may be reprinted only with written permission of Brangus Publications, Inc.
ON THE COVER: The Ducheneaux Family Jake, Jenn, Zach, Ty, Kelsey and Kourt. Read more about the success they have had with Brangus genetics in our FACES OF THE INDUSTRY feature on page 12 of this issue. 2 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
LPC Livestock Publications Council Member
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 3
OUT FRONT
by Tommy PERKINS, Ph.D., PAS IBBA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
It’s Time to Take Advantage of Technology
R
ecently, the cattle market has been an up and down target as we may limit down one day but limit up the next. The tight supplies and lower feed costs have produced higher than ever imagined prices which continue to be good news for cattlemen across the country. The winter has certainly been cold and wet in many areas of the nation, but we will take the moisture anytime we can get it.
With every class of cattle commanding a high price, I question why there is still limited use of artificial insemination (AI) in the beef industry. Commercial cattlemen are having to pay more money than ever to purchase breeding bulls which suggests it may be more cost effective to implement a timed AI program on all or a portion of the cowherd. It has been suggested that beef AI ranges from as low as five percent to as high as 13 percent with both values being
4 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
low when considered to use of AI in the dairy and swine industries. However, it does appear use of the technology in the beef industry is increasing as evident by the level of semen straws being produced in relation to the number of cows available for insemination. In the January 2015 Noble Foundation Ag News and Views, Robert Wells stated that estrus synchronization and timed AI are economically viable alternatives to owning a bull if the producer
has multiple bulls. He further stated there are many benefits to synchronization and AI, including a tighter calving season, increased weaning weights from older calves, and use of higher quality genetics. Wells concluded that use of estrus synchronization and AI would result in approximately $150 more per head profit (less the labor cost of putting the cows through the chute three additional times). Of course, this makes many assumptions such as a high conception rate, purchase of semen from high growth bulls, and reduction of overall bull battery. I believe another advantage of using AI is the benefit of breeding to “big spread” bulls for a multitude of traits. For example, breeders can purchase semen from low birthweight, calving ease sires with exceptional weaning and post-weaning gains based on high accuracy Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). Additionally, these same bulls can be selected which also excel in heifer conception, longevity (stayability), marbling, and other economically valuable carcass traits. This is a benefit to the entire industry from (continued on page 6)
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 5
OUT FRONT The recent adoption of genomics into breed association genetic evaluations add another level of selection confidence when using EPDs. (continued from page 4) the producer (gross revenue) to the consumer (high quality eating satisfaction) and everyone in between. The recent adoption of genomics into breed association genetic evaluations add another level of selection confidence when using EPDs. Genomic-Enhanced EPDs
6 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
afford a higher accuracy value for all EPDs on young unproven sires. This allows cattlemen to utilize some younger (newer) genetics at some level in the breeding program. This holds true whether using natural service sires or AI. I recommend first time users of AI to select higher accuracy, proven semen sires. This may minimize some of the risks associated with use of less proven bulls. Please read the articles in this publication by Drs. Carstens, Hale, and Van Eenennaam for more in depth look at feed efficiency, c a r c a s s p r o f i t a b i l i t y, p a r e n t verification in multi sire b r e e d i n g pastures, genetic conditions, and use of GenomicEnhanced EPDs. The feed efficiency article highlights use
of Brangus genetics for improved profitability. The Brangus steers utilized in the project show selection for improved feed efficiency will lead to more profitable feedlot cattle as it can be independent of carcass merit. Thus, efficient cattle will yield and grade at a high level while minimizing overall feed consumption. The genomics article validates the International Brangus Breeders Association’s commitment to development of GenomicEnhanced EPDs as a selection tool for cattlemen. With nearly 5,000 DNA results for genetic conditions, it is apparent use of Brangus sires in an AI breeding program can minimize or eliminate the incidence of many of the genetic conditions (Arthrogryposis Multiplex, Contractural Arachnodactyly, etc.) found in other breeds. Do not hesitate to call me if you have any specific questions about purchasing Brangus semen, use of Brangus EPDs for bull selection, Brangus research results, or the value of the Brangus Built female program. For information about all IBBA programs and other inquiries, please call (210) 696-8231 or visit www. GoBrangus.com. Stay connected to IBBA through Facebook, Twitter, or receive news updates by joining our email list. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Perkins is the Executive Vice President for the International Brangus Breeders Association. He most recently was the executive for another breed association after serving as a professor at Missouri State University and Texas State University for nearly twenty years. His professional career is most noted for excellence in the field of beef cattle ultrasound. He has a doctorate in animal breeding from Texas Tech University.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 7
OUT FRONT 2014 IBBA Year-End Review
Editor’s Note: Due to the date that the data query was ran, the facts and figures printed in the December Journal were inaccurate. The information below contains all data turned into IBBA as of December 31, 2014.
Top 10 States by IBBA THR Assessments State # on THR Texas 14,893 Florida 3,241 Arkansas 2,277 Alabama 2,224 Mississippi 2,115 Louisiana 1,949 Oklahoma 1,883 Georgia 1,824 New Mexico 917 Tennessee 765
Top 10 IBBA Members by THR Assessments Ranch # on THR Wynne Ranch, Fort Pierce, FL 827 Brinks Brangus @ Westall Ranches, Arabela, NM 617 The Branch Ranch, Mansfield, LA 516 Salacoa Valley Farms, Fairmount, GA 491 Chimney Rock Cattle Co, Concord, AR 483 Santa Rosa Ranch, Navasota, TX 463 Town Creek Farm, West Point, MS 431 JLS International, Robertsale, AL 425 Cavender Brangus, Jacksonville, TX 394 Draggin’ M Ranch, El Dorado, AR 362 Oak Creek Farms, Chappell Hill, TX 362
Top 10 States for Membership Senior Members Junior Members State # State # Texas 440 Texas 270 Alabama 67 Louisiana 55 Florida 64 Florida 42 Louisiana 62 Mississippi 32 Oklahoma 57 Oklahoma 21 Mississippi 54 Arkansas 18 Arkansas 34 Alabama 9 Georgia 29 Missouri 9 Missouri 26 Georgia 4 Tennessee 24 California 3
Top 10 States for Transfers Bull Transfers Female Transfers State Qty State Qty Texas 1,595 Texas 1,642 Florida 674 Alabama 433 Mississippi 415 Florida 405 Alabama 310 Mississippi 379 Louisiana 279 Louisiana 245 Arkansas 261 Arkansas 223 Oklahoma 234 Oklahoma 217 Missouri 156 Georgia 215 New Mexico 147 New Mexico 204 Georgia 114 Missouri 126
8 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
OUT FRONT Weaning State # Texas 5,082 Florida 1,296 Georgia 1,200 Arkansas 1,166 Alabama 901 Louisiana 781 Mississippi 706 Oklahoma 644 Tennessee 344 New Mexico 331
Top 10 States for Data Reporting Yearling Ultrasound State # State # Texas 2,536 Texas 1,705 Georgia 1,148 Georgia 1,116 Florida 625 Florida 539 Alabama 486 Mississippi 429 Arkansas 448 Arkansas 414 Mississippi 435 Alabama 405 Oklahoma 404 New Mexico 232 New Mexico 271 Oklahoma 223 Tennessee 244 Tennessee 215 Kansas 203 Kansas 185
Top 25 Sires of 2014
Top 25 AI/ET Sires of 2014
(Based on AI and NS Calves Recorded in 2014)
Rank
Calves
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(Based on AI and ET Calves Recorded in 2014)
Name
Reg No
Rank
Calves
Name
Reg No
200
CRC LANDAU 263X2
R10189274
1
177
CB PASSPORT 803Y11
R10216038
2
186
CRC LANDAU 263X2
R10189274
169
CB PASSPORT 803Y11
R10216038
157
CSONKA OF BRINKS 30R4
R10004209
3
153
NEW VISION OF SALACOA 209Y2
R10204856
4
157
CSONKA OF BRINKS 30R4
R10004209
128
NEW VISION OF SALACOA 209Y2
R10204856
142
CRC GUARDIAN 9U8U5
R10122023
127
SUHN'S CHISHOLM 331W45
R10161215
5
125
SUHN'S CHISHOLM 331W45
R10161215
9
123
MC ONSTAR 924W4
R10154395
126
MC ONSTAR 924W4
102
MC CROSSOVER 834Y
R10154395
7
109
CRC GUARDIAN 9U8U5
R10122023
R10200926
8
102
MC CROSSOVER 834Y
9
97
R10200926
CCR INTEGRITY 355S4
R10084480
9
88
SUHN'S NEW CONCEPT 30Y24
R10204747
10 11
96
STONEWALL OF RRR 222W6
R10150860
10
85
SKYHAWKS PRESIDENTE
R10025207
93
SKYHAWKS PRESIDENTE
R10025207
11
78
STONEWALL OF RRR 222W6
R10150860
12
92
SUHN'S NEW CONCEPT 30Y24
R10204747
12
74
CB HOMBRE 541T3
R10112338
13
77
LTD OF BRINKS 415T28
R10082892
13
66
ATLANTA OF SALACOA 488Z
R10210625
14
75
MC GAME CHANGER 127Y42
R10201653
14
60
MC GAME CHANGER 127Y42
R10201653
15
74
CB HOMBRE 541T3
R10112338
15
57
LTD OF BRINKS 415T28
R10082892
16
66
ATLANTA OF SALACOA 488Z
R10210625
tie 16
52
CCR INTEGRITY 355S4
R10084480
17
65
EISENHOWER OF SALACOA 23Y69
R10204868
tie 16
52
EISENHOWER OF SALACOA 23Y69
R10204868
18
51
CCR SLEEP EASY 46T3
R10107253
18
51
CCR SLEEP EASY 46T3
R10107253
19
50
TJM CORONADO 535X
R10180470
19
48
TJM CORONADO 535X
R10180470
20
48
CNF ON LINE 425T2 77X7
R10174273
20
46
SUHN'S NEXT STEP 331R7
R10015200
tie 21
47
HALL'S LBS. 468X3
R10185106
21
44
MC NUFF SAID 889T50
R10096341
tie 21
47
MC CONVERSION 889Z20
R10228546
tie 22
42
GR SWIFT 209W3
R10143304
tie 23
46
SUHN'S NEXT STEP 331R7
R10015200
tie 22
42
BRINKS ARABELA 1038
R10197654
tie 24
46
CB RAMON 415X27
R10192201
24
41
CANNON OF BRINKS 30U45
R10140334
tie 25
46
IH BAR NONE 820Y8
R10197900
25
40
MC CONVERSION 889Z20
R10228546 FRONTLINE Beef Producer 9
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STRIDES AHEAD GENETRUST at Suhn Cattle Company
MARCH 24, 2015 EUREKA, KS 170 Brangus & Ultrablack Bulls
We are excited to present to you this exceptional offering of Brangus and Ultrablack bulls. Many are ET full sibs from the breed’s most respected donors; plus the majority are progeny from these respected and proven AI sires: CRC Landau 263X2 Suhn’s New Concept 30Y24 CB Passport 803Y11 CRC Guardian 9U8U5 TJM Coronado 535X Suhn’s Augustus 416Y14
Vernon Suhn WFSO!HFOFUSVTUCSBOHVT DPN t (620) 583-3706 Craig Green DSBJH!HFOFUSVTUCSBOHVT DPN t (870) 834-1976 Cody Gariss DPEZHBSJTT!HNBJM DPN t Doug Williams XIJQPXJMM!ZBEUFM OFU t
Suhn’s Chisholm 331W45 CB Final Cut 924X Csonka of Brinks 30R4 MC Onstar 924W4 SAV Final Answer 0035 Connealy Consensus 7229
UPCOMING GENETRUST SALE
April 25, 2015
$BWFOEFS T /FDIFT 3JWFS 3BODI t +BDLTPOWJMMF 59 150 Registered Females 400 Commercial Females Buy online at:
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 11 www.GENETRUSTbrangus.com t (&/&534
FACES OF THE
INDUSTRY
by Brittni DRENNAN
Providing a Livelihood for Generations
Z
ach Ducheneaux, like many in the beef industry, grew up on his family’s operation, learning everything he knows about horses and cows from his father. Located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation 45 miles east of Eagle Butte, S.D., the fourth generation ranch was started by his grandfather Frank Ducheneaux. By the time he was 20, Zach’s father, Wayne, had turned the management over completely to Zach and his brothers.
“We think he liked to watch us grow and learn and try our own things, sometimes just before reverting back to what he taught us. Sometimes maybe even finding a little better way,” Zach said. After graduating from Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School, Zach attended the University of Minnesota majoring in History before deciding to make ranching his career. He returned back to Eagle Butte where his six siblings, Colette, Lisa, Lorelei, Guthrie, Wayne and Bud, all still live within a 60-mile radius. Zach began ranching full time, and in 1993 he started his own cow/calf operation, purchasing black heifer calves for $560 each. He then sold bred heifers the next fall for just $555 each. For the next 26 years, Zach said he struggled to figure out what “the market” wanted, always maintaining his idea of the kind of cows he wanted to raise one day. “I believed conventional wisdom when it said cattle prices are cyclical and can only drop so far,” Zach said. “To say the next few years were a challenge is understating it a bit, but 12 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
I was able to survive with the help of family and some good fortune.” Zach now owns and operates DX Ranch and raises Quarter horses in addition to the cow/calf operation. He has good help from his brothers, Guthrie and Bud as well as their respective families, and Jenn Zeller also known in photography circles and on social media sites as The South Dakota Cowgirl. Zeller manages DX Ranch’s website and social media pages including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She also manages the equine internship program. Zach also has help from his children, Kelsey and Ty, who have had cattle since they were seven, instilling in them the same values and traditions he was taught growing up. Now raising his ideal kind of cow, Zach has found exactly what is required to thrive in his environment and remain profitable- easy keeping, moderate framed cows with great maternal qualities that can take care of themselves. After observing the cows over the years, Zach began to favor the Brahman
crossbred c o w s , attesting to their feed e f f i c i e n c y, l o w maintenance, mothering qualities, and their ability to put more pounds on the s c a l e t h a n a n y other bunch o f
(continued on page 14)
FACES OF THE
INDUSTRY
The Ducheneaux Family - Jake, Jenn, Zach, Ty, Kelsey and Kourt. FRONTLINE Beef Producer 13
FACES OF THE
INDUSTRY cows, year in (continued from page 12) and year out. When the DX Ranch cowherd was liquidated in 2012 to reorganize and expand the horsemanship component, Zach purchased more of these Brahman influenced cattle. “The maternal instinct in the Brangus cow is the best we’ve seen as a whole,” Zach said. “When we bought the cows in 2012, there were seven pairs a few days old that came off the truckload. Within 30 seconds of getting off the truck, those cows had found and were nursing their
14 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
calves.” Zach said it has been at least 10 years since they purchased any volume of beef amongst the three families on the ranch. They raise their own beef as well as market beef directly to friends who have been to the ranch to taste it firsthand. “The Brangus based beef we have been eating is as good or better than any we’ve raised or bought in the past,” Zach said. Brangus has typically been perceived as a
southern breed in which producers farther north have to constantly fight the misconception, often times getting docked at the sale barn for having too much “ear”. Realizing the benefits of added heterosis, exceptional mothering qualities, proven performance, and ability to forage well, Zach uses Brangus
FACES OF THE
INDUSTRY genetics as the foundation in his crossbreeding program. “Buyers in this part of the country are skeptical about the feedability of the ‘eared’ calves so we’re working to use the Brangus cows as a base for crossbreeding that will help us have a more marketable calf locally,” Zach
said. Feed efficiency and conversion is an important factor to Zach and the success of his operation. Like many other ranchers in this industry, he knows if he is going to leave his operation to the next generation, he must leave it in optimal condition. Sustainability is increasingly becoming more important with fewer resources and heightened restrictions,
and feed efficiency is imperative when developing a resourceful management plan. “Our grazing management approach can best be summed up like this: we must work to improve the ground while making a sustainable living,” Zach said. “Our cows are an important tool in that, and the more efficient they are, the better we can do that job.” One industry trend Zach foresees is the change in portion size and quality of beef. (continued on page 16)
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 15
FACES OF THE
INDUSTRY (continued from page 15) “We currently feel pretty severely cheated if we order a steak and it doesn’t fill or hang over the sides of the plate. As a result, we are forced to turn our cattle so quickly with accelerated feeding programs that we don’t get a chance to capitalize on what we want cows to do best, grow on grass,” Zach said. “It would take a feeder calf two additional years on grass to get big enough to provide cuts of beef that big. Cattle can get fat and grow on grass, but it takes more time. Once we become more concerned with what’s in that beef portion instead of the size of it, grass feeding for longer periods of time will be more widely accepted.” The primary goal of the operation, however, is not strictly profitability and production. While these are two important factors to remain prosperous, Zach said their main goal is to maintain an environment that everyone who comes to the ranch can enjoy and feel comfortable and develop into the best possible version of themselves.
16 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
“We feel that if we can do that, we will continue to turn out adults who are thankful for the opportunity offered and will look to provide that for others,” Zach said. “We have been sharing that opportunity with non-family members for the past four years through our internship program and are poised to expand that role greatly.” Zach’s focus on personal development is inspirational and undoubtedly leaves a remarkable impression. “I think the main thing that sets our place apart from others in the industry is our emphasis on human return on investment rather than financial,” Zach said. “Above all else, we want to develop a n d attract g o o d people to our ranch, to help us share our
good fortune and inspire others to do the same. “ To find out more about how Brangus cows and Quarter horses are involved in the human development programs at The DX Ranch, visit their website at www.thedxranch. com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brittni Drennan obtained her bachelor (2009) and master’s (2011) degrees in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University. Most recently, she served as the Communications Coordinator for the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), implementing all internal and external digital and print communication efforts. Drennan now works as a freelancer doing photography, videography, graphic design and journalism.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 17
FEATURE
by Justin HERGENREDER GENEX COOPERATIVE, INC.
Brangus is Getting the Attention it Deserves
W
ith 2014 in the books and the new year upon us, the cattle industry can offer few guarantees, but in all of my travels a few things are certain; it is a great time to be in the cattle business, and the demand for Brangus genetics is at an all-time high. Commercial producers across the nation are realizing the opportunities that Brangus genetics offer and the profits to be capitalized on when marketing Brangus influenced cattle. When you sit down and look at all of the tools offered to commercial producers, sire selection represents the greatest opportunity we have for genetic change. Not only can we improve our end product with the use of high accuracy, proven Brangus bulls, but we can also create a more consistent, highly sought after set of calves with the use of commercial artificial insemination (AI).
“Commercial producers across the nation are realizing the opportunities that Brangus genetics offer and the profits to be capitalized on when marketing Brangus influenced cattle.� 18 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
If you truly study some of the prices and current demands it is obvious commercial producers throughout the country are finally giving the Brangus influenced female the respect and demand she deservesa female that is second to none in terms of fertility, longevity and stay ability but also excels in efficiency of weaned calf production. Wrap all of that up in a moderate, polled, easy fleshing package, and you have a female that will go to work every day from the west coast to the east coast and from the north to the south. Brangus influenced females are some of the most sought-after cattle across the country, but let’s not forget about their steer mates and the impact they are having on the industry. Brangus influenced steer calves are in demand at the marketplace, and rightly so. Brangus feeder cattle will not only come into feed yards at heavier weights as weaned calves, but their added
performance, increased efficiency and larger ribeyes have feedlots demanding them. Combine that with improved quality grades and increased dressing percentages, and it equals added dollars almost every time. Brangus cattle can and will do it all. Producing cattle that excel in all aspects has put a high dollar value on Brangus influenced females but has had a huge impact on the cost of Brangus bulls. With the added cost of bulls, more and more commercial producers have started to look into other avenues of implementing these high demand genetics, and artificial insemination has become the answer. The use of AI has allowed commercial producers the opportunity to utilize some of the most proven and sought-after Brangus genetics available at a fraction of the cost. Commercial producers are seeing (continued on page 20)
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 19
FEATURE “With the use of Brangus influenced sires in the commercial segment, producers are creating the ultimate beef factory.” (continued from page 18) a great genetic improvement in their herds and real premiums at the marketplace by utilizing high accuracy, proven Brangus genetics through AI. When a producer is able to offer lot loads of cattle that are all sired by the same bull and all calved within two weeks of each other, the consistency and quality of those cattle is recognized and rewarded
at the marketplace. With the use of AI, producers can finally capitalize on genetics that, in the past, have been unattainable to them. Utilizing these genetics, producers are seeing vast improvements in the cowherds they work with every day. Creating cowherds of half- and three-quarter sisters has not only dramatically increased the consistency but also the quality of these females and the calves they produce year after year. Commercial producers have now created a cowherd that used to only be available to Ritchey Ear Tags have been made the purebred in the good ole USA since 1964. Just like Old Glory, our tags have stood the test of breeder and truly time and have proven themselves faithful and true. have a leg up with the added heterosis they have created. With the huge changes and opp or tu n it i e s in the cow/ RITCHEY’s dual-colored, engravable tags calf production allow for permanent numbering. system, heterosis has never been Ritchey LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK ID ID more valuable. 1-800-EAR-TAGS 1-800-EAR-TAGS www.ritcheytags.com www.ritcheytags.com With the use of Brangus — — EST. EST. 1964 1964 — —
®
20 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
influenced sires in the commercial segment, producers are creating the ultimate beef factory. Females sired by Brangus influenced bulls are allowing producers to sell more pounds of calf every year and are improving quality along the way. With the added heterosis and hybrid vigor from the Brangus influence, producers are creating a female that is ultimately more profitable year after year. Ultimately, it does not matter what part of the country you live in or what breed of cattle you raise. If you stop and look around every once in a while you will see more Brangus influenced cattle showing up in pastures everywhere. At the end of the day we are all in the same business and aim to market pounds of high quality beef to an evergrowing population that demands the best, but it is simply apparent that the folks utilizing Brangus genetics have a few more pounds to offer every year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Justin Hergenreder is the area 631 marketing manager for Genex Cooperative Inc. He resides in Fort Worth Texas and covers all of the south and southeast U.S. for beef support. He markets semen, helps select sires, and artificially inseminate females throughout this region of the U.S.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 21
FEATURE
by Larry STALCUP WRITER AND PR FOR THE CATTLEMEN MAGAZINE
Do You Need Some Ear? Match Cattle With the Climate, Not Just the Market
H
ot, sticky, muggy weather. Much of Texas can claim all those. Temperatures in the 90s and 100s and humidity nearly as high are common from May ‘till October. It can be miserable for humans not used to it. And cattle, too.
Climate
22 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
adaptability should influence a producer’s plan to rebuild h e r d s impacted by drought or enhance overall production, says Dr. Joe Paschal, Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension livestock specialist in Corpus Christi. He recommends that before buying strictly English or other European breeds that can bring strong premiums w h e n marketed, make sure those cattle will perform in a hot, humid environment. Breeding stock
with a little ear – some Bos indicus influence – may be needed. Breeds such as Brahman, Beefmaster, Braford, Brangus, Red Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Red Brangus or Simbrah would be extremely desirable, either as straight-breds or crosses, Paschal says. Paschal notes that many areas south of the 35º north latitude rarely see average temperatures below 35 degree F in the coldest month of the year. That’s a line that virtually stretches from the top of the Texas Panhandle eastward through northern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. High humidity is common in many of those areas. The farther south you go, the hotter and more humid it gets. And when it’s 95 in the shade, it’s not uncommon to see non-Bos indicus dark-hided, dark haired cattle standing in a stock tank to cool off, Paschal says. “If a black-hided, non Bos indicus influenced cow is fighting heat stress caused by a high ambient temperature, humidity, low wind speed and solar radiation absorbed,
FEATURE she will be more interested in trying to cool herself down than breeding or eating,” he says. “Heat stress can occur at fairly moderate temperatures for most cattle breeds originating in temperate climates. Just watch your cows and see when they start breathing heavier and faster or shade-up in the morning.” Dr. Tommy Perkins, executive vice president, International Brangus Breeders Association in San Antonio, says many southern producers realize the benefits of Brahman-crossed herds. “Bos indicus influenced cattle provide heat and parasite tolerance along with a higher level of disease resistance than straight Bos Taurus cattle,” he says. “They also tend to produce at a high level for a longer period of time than those same straight bred Bos Taurus cattle. Ultimately, they excel in less than ideal or desirable environmental conditions by producing a profitable and very market acceptable feeder calf.” Bill Travis, a Simbrah seedstock operator in Athens, Texas, adds that Brahman influenced cattle are common in most of the world’s beef producing areas. “We know that 65% or more of the world’s grazing regions are located in areas with high temperatures,” says Travis, who sells breeding stock across southern
states, Central America, Mexico, South America, Australia and other warmer countries. Paschal says that in warmer climates, experience and research show that eared cattle have fewer health problems and can handle other aspects of hot climates. “They are more efficient energetically,” he says. “They have excellent maternal ability, not just milk, but also maternal calving ease. “They are longer lived, in part due to thicker enamel on their teeth. They are better at serum mineral conservation and have the ability to digest coarser forages, which is certainly a benefit if the world is
heating up as many climate experts predict.”
CALVES FEEL THE HEAT
Heat stress just doesn’t affect the cow, it affects the calf inside her. “That’s because she reduces blood flow to her internal organs and fetus in order to increase blood flow at the skin surface to cool her blood,” Paschal says. “This reduces oxygen and nutrient flow to those locations. High internal temperatures can also increase early abortions and or fetal death leading to abortions as well as reduce semen viability in bulls. “The heat affects calves just as much, if not more, than their mothers, as calves are lower to the ground and absorb more heat and have less surface area with which to dissipate it. Calves (continued on page 24)
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 23
FEATURE (continued from page 23) can get heat stroke and die but usually stressed calves just gain less and weigh less. Heat stress effects on semen production can last for a month or more after the stress has moderated.” Perkins says the use of “tropical and subtropical adapted bulls will add much needed levels of hybrid vigor when included in the predominately black-hided cow population we see today. “Replacement of cows in hard and drought-hit areas with Brahman derivative females will be the fastest way to produce replacement females that will fit the environment you are operating in across much of Texas and the South.”
BUT DON’T BREED AWAY PROFITS
Discounts for Brahman-cross cattle have been common for years. There’s a reputation they won’t perform at the feedyard or packer. Many “northern” producers have imagined that anything with a Brahman cross looked like a rodeo bull. Paschal calls that B.S. “In Texas A&M Ranch to Rail
Program, conducted mostly in the 1990s, the Brahman-crosses performed as well in the feedyard and made as much return as the non Bos indicus cattle,” he says. “As expected, they tended to have slightly smaller ribeyes and lower marbling scores. “But breeders of these cattle have made significant strides in the past 10 years in improving the feeding performance and muscling of their cattle. They are not your grandfather’s, or even your father’s cattle.” Perkins says that for Brangus and others, the added efficiency of growth and potential reduced cost of gain “certainly make the Brahman influenced cattle an option to offset the loss of Certified Angus Beef premiums. “However, the Brangus breed (3/8 Brahman 5/8 Angus) continues to bring value to the commercial cattle industry, as they excel in lower birth weights, good milking ability, above average weaning weights, and high fertility, all in a polled package. “Use of Brangus cattle will also keep the cattle black while maintaining excellent carcass marbling so that they wouldn’t have to lose out on the Angus premiums.”
“But breeders of these cattle have made significant strides in the past 10 years in improving the feeding performance and muscling of their cattle. They are not your grandfather’s, or even your father’s cattle.” 24 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
Travis says, “One interesting point is that Dr. Tommy Perkins performed our first ultrasound approximately 25 years ago while obtaining his Doctorate at Texas Tech. And Dr. Joe Pashcal has advised our breeding program for close to three decades. These folks understand and teach breeders how to genetically improve livestock.”
HOW MUCH EAR?
The hotter the weather, the larger the percentage of Brahman influence, Paschal says. “It depends on where you’re located geographically and climate-wise,” he says. “Farther south, a higher percentage Brahman or Brahman influenced breed would be more productive. Farther north, perhaps ¼ or even 1/8 Brahman influence would be useful. “Throughout most of the U.S. an F1 half-blood or ¼ blood Brahman cow would certainly be of benefit and she could be bred to an unrelated breed to confer more market acceptable traits. “That calf would have ¼ to 1/8 Brahman influence and would be hardly detectable as such. Of course the Brahman influenced breeds could do that nearly as straight-breds, which is why they were developed in the first place. They have about one-half the heterosis of the F1. But in a straight breeding program or in using them as straight-breds in a crossing program, any heterosis is beneficial. Perkins says it gets down to a producer’s choice, which can be dictated on pasture conditions and marketing opportunities. “I think this becomes somewhat producer
FEATURE specific,” he says. “However, it is generally recommended that cattlemen increase the level of Brahman influence the more tropical the environment. “It is generally practiced to have 3/8 or more Brahman influence in replacement females in the more southern environments. Perhaps something less than 3/8 Brahman influenced cows work very well the more north your operation may be. “The good news is the American breeds offer these options for commercial cattlemen. For example, Brangus cattle work great in tropical and subtropical environments and Ultrablack (Brangus X Angus) cattle work great in more temperate climates while still providing the advantages of the Bos indicus derivatives.” Perkins concludes that further use of Brahman-cross genetics should help expand the U.S. beef industry. “The use of breeds adapted to hot climates will be more productive and will ultimately improve total beef production across the U.S.,” he says. “The benefits of hybrid vigor and use of higher quality genetics will certainly make optimum utilization of heat tolerance, disease resistance, parasite tolerance, longevity, fertility, maternal attributes and efficiency of growth.” Whether a rancher is making herd adjustments based on drought or overall climate, it still gets down to making sound business decisions. “Many factors must be considered,” Paschal says. “Producers should locate or produce quality replacements that fit their budget and provide the type of genetics they need, based on longevity,
adaptability, profitability.”
marketability
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
and
Larry Stalcup is an award winning agricultural journalist. Following his graduation from the University of Oklahoma, he moved to Amarillo,
Texas and set in motion his long career in journalism. His works, both articles and photos, appear consistently in many agriculture publications, including BEEF, The Cattleman, CALF News, Corn+Soybean Digest, Farm Press, DTN/Progressive Farmer and AgFax. He has also edited several ag commodity newsletters and an AgFax associate editor.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 25
FEATURE
by Gordon CARSTENS, Kirby JACKSON and Dan HALE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
The Proof is in the Results
N
utrition, management, health, weather and genetic merit each have dramatic influences on the performance, carcass quality and feed efficiency of feedlot cattle to impact the bottom line—profitability. In the 1990s, implementation of value-based marketing programs fostered the production of beef that more closely matched consumer preferences. Market signals in the form of premiums and discounts for specified carcass weight, and yield and quality grade targets increased producer knowledge of how management practices and breeding programs impact the revenue side of the beef profit equation. Moreover, these market signals have increased producer awareness of the tremendous animal-to-animal variation that typically exists in the performance and carcass merit of cattle, even those with similar breed type and management backgrounds. This has led some producers to adopt the use of individual cattle management systems that seek to increase profits by marketing animals at their ideal endpoints rather than on a pen basis to reduce between-animal variation in carcass-value attributes.
There is much less appreciation for the impact of between-animal variation in feed efficiency on the cost side of the beef profit equation, which is not surprising due to the difficulty and cost of measuring this trait in individual animals. Consequently, most producers have not had opportunities to evaluate feed efficiency data collected from their cattle. However, this is beginning to change with advancements in technologies, such as the GrowSafe Systems™, that enable more costeffective collection of feed intake data from individual animals. Recently, as part of a research project that measured residual feed intake (RFI) in 84 feedlot steers, we had the opportunity to also collect carcass traits in order to evaluate 26 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
how between-animal variation in performance, carcass quality and feed efficiency impact profit. Some of the information generated from this project was recently shared
with readers of BEEF Magazine, who along with Merial sponsored a contest to inform producers about the relationship between feed efficiency and profitability.
FEATURE BACKGROUND OF STEERS USED AND HOW THE TRIAL WAS CONDUCTED
The cattle used in this trial were Brangus steers born in January and February of 2013 at the Circle X Land and Cattle Company in Bryan, Texas. The steers underwent a VAC30 preconditioning program and were weaned in August 2013 prior to being shipped to the Beef Cattle Systems Research Center at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in September 2013. All 84 steers were individually weighed, dewormed and assigned to pens equipped with electronic feed bunks (GrowSafe System) to measure feed intake while fed a feedlot diet. During a 98-day trial, feed intake and serial body weights were measured in order to determine feed efficiency for each steer. Feed efficiency was calculated two ways: Feed:gain ratio (F:G) as dry matter (DM) intake ÷ ADG, and Residual Feed Intake (RFI) as actual DM intake minus expected DM intake, with expected DM intake determined by linear regression of actual DM intake on ADG and mid-test BW0.75. Following the 98-day trial at TAMU, steers were shipped to Graham Land and Cattle Company in Gonzales, Texas, and fed a feedlot diet in a single pen for an additional 152 days prior to harvest at a commercial slaughter and processing plant. Carcass data were collected to determine yield and quality grade, and carcass value was determined using a Carcass Grid that was constructed using USDA
market news reports on July 2014. Steaks were also collected from each carcass to measure shear force following a 14-day postmortem aging period at TAMU. Net revenue (NR) for each steer was calculated as carcass income (hot carcass weight x grid-based carcass value) minus total costs of purchasing the feeder calf, yardage ($0.25/day), processing and transportation ($68/hd), and feed and interest. Feeder calf cost was based on initial body weight x average feeder steer price for October 2013 (USDA, AMS Market News Service) using a price slide at 100-pound increments. Interest cost was calculated at five percent on total purchase price of feeder steer plus 50 percent of total feed cost. Since individual feed intake was not collected when steers were fed in the feedyard, feed intake of each steer was predicted using the Cattle Value Discovery System that was based on each animal’s ADG, average BW and carcass data. The predicted feed intake was then adjusted according to its RFI, with the assumption that RFI rank measured during the individual feeding phase was maintained during the feedyard phase. Total feed intake was the sum of actual feed intake measured during the 98-day trial at TAMU and predicted feed intake during the feedlot phase of the trial.
BACKGROUND ON RESIDUAL FEED INTAKE
Feed efficiency has typically been measured in beef cattle using feedto-gain ratio (F:G), which is a gross
measure of efficiency that does not attempt to differentiate between feed needed to support maintenance and growth energy requirements. While previous studies have shown that F:G ratio is moderately heritable, F:G is strongly correlated with growth rate in an inverse manner— faster growing cattle will have a lower and more favorable F:G ratio. Consequently, F:G ratio has limited utility in selection programs as favorable selection for F:G will lead to increases in cow mature size and consequently increases in the cost of feed needed to support the cow herd. Residual feed intake (RFI) is an alternative feed efficiency trait that measures between-animal variation in feed intake beyond that needed to support maintenance and growth energy requirements. RFI is calculated as the difference between an animal’s actual DM intake and its expected DM intake based on its body weight (BW) and level of production. Efficient animals are those that eat less feed than expected based on their BW and level of production—efficient animals will have negative RFI. Unlike ratiobased efficiency traits (F:G ratio) that are highly influenced by growth and maturity patterns, RFI is minimally related to the animal’s body size or level of production. This illustrated in the accompanying scatter graph where RFI is plotted against ADG for all 84 steers used in the trial. Research has shown that RFI is moderately heritable in beef cattle, weakly correlated with fatness, and not significantly correlated with meat quality traits. (continued on page 28) FRONTLINE Beef Producer 27
FEATURE (continued from page 27) To further illustrate how RFI is determined, we compared results from two of the steers (#256 and #5) that completed the trial. Both steers had similar daily gains and average BW during the trial, which resulted in both steers having similar expected DM intakes (22.3 vs 22.0 lb/day). However, steer #256 consumed less DM feed during the trial than steer #5 (20.8 vs 24.3 lb/day). Since RFI is calculated as actual minus expected DM intake, steer #256 had a negative RFI (20.8 – 22.3 = -1.5 lb/day), whereas, steer #5 had a positive RFI (24.3 – 22.0 = +2.3 lb/d). During the trial, steer #256 was more efficient as it consumed 1.5 pounds per day less feed than expected, while steer #5 was less efficient because it consumed 2.3 pounds per day more feed than expected. Since ADG were similar, steer #256 had a lower F:G of 6.2 compared to the F:G of 7.4 for steer #5.
TRIAL RESULTS
Despite the fact that all 84 steers in this trial were sourced from the same ranch (Circle X Land and Cattle Company) and managed in a similar manner, there was considerable between-animal variation in profitability. As shown in the figure, profit per head averaged $243 and ranged from -$16 to $494. To illustrate the impact of differences in RFI on profitability, steers were ranked by RFI, and the most efficient steers (average RFI = -1.71 pounds per day) were compared with the least efficient steers (average RFI = 28 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
Initial BW, lb ADG, lb/day Actual Feed Intake, lb/day Expected Feed Intake, lb/day RFI, lb/day Hot Carcass Weight, lb Profit, $/head
Steer #256 640 3.38 20.8 22.3 ‐1.5 906 $312
Steer #5 644 3.30 24.3 22 2.3 890 $234
Individual results from the trial are shown above for Steer 256 (pictured on the left) and for Steer 5 (pictured on the right). Because of his lower F:G ratio, Steer 256 ended the trial being more profitable than Steer 5.
2.03 pounds per day). As shown in the table, no differences in BW at the start of the trial or ADG were detected between steers with low and high RFI. Likewise, significant differences in hot carcass weights due to RFI classification were not found. However, the steers with low RFI consumed 16 percent less feed and had an 18 percent lower
F:G ratio compared to steers with high RFI. It is interesting to note that steers with low RFI spent 18 fewer minutes each day at the feed bunk compared to steers with high RFI, demonstrating that steers with divergent RFI have distinctly difference feeding behavior patterns. In support of previous research findings that have shown RFI to be weakly associated with carcass fatness in a positive manner (low RFI animals tend to be leaner), the low RFI steers in this trial had both lower YG and lower QG compared to steers with high RFI. However, the magnitude of these differences in YG and QG due to RFI classification was small, and no difference in carcass income (hot carcass weight x carcass grid price) due to RFI classification was
FEATURE detected. The influence of RFI on carcass quality was also evaluated by measuring the shear force of loin steaks. The average shear force was 5.0 pounds, and ranged from 3.3 to 7.8 pounds. As the thresholds for classifying carcasses as “very tender” and “tender” are less than 6.0 pounds and 8.0 pounds, respectively, all steers in this trial produced carcasses that were rated as either “very tender” or “tender”. While the low RFI steers had numerically higher shear force values, this difference was not significant. These results illustrate that RFI is minimally associated with carcass quality traits in beef cattle. Compared to steers with high RFI, feed costs during the entire trial were 20 percent less for steers with low RFI. As carcass income was not different between steers with divergent RFI, the low-RFI steers generated on average $147 more profit than the steers with high RFI.
Finally, it is important to point out that differences in profit among steers were impacted by variation in performance and carcass quality as well as variation in feed efficiency. This is illustrated in the figure that plots each steer’s RFI against its ADG according to how they ranked by profit or net revenue—the most profitable steers are denoted by blue diamonds, with the least profitable steers denoted by green triangles. The horizontal line in this figure represents the average RFI for the trial (0.0 pounds per day), while the vertical line represents the average daily gain for
Table. Performance, carcass and profitability traits for Brangus steers with divergent phenotypes for residual feed intake (RFI) Item Performance traits: Initial body weight, lb ADG, lb/day Dry matter intake, lb/day Feed:Gain ratio Residual feed intake, lb/day Bunk visit duration, min/day Carcass traits: Hot carcass weight, lb Yield grade Quality grade Warner Blatzer shear force, lb Profit traits: Feed cost, $/hd Carcass income, $/hd Net revenue, $/hd
Low RFI (Efficient)
High RFI (Inefficient)
619 3.35 19.4 5.91 -1.71 86
622 3.33 23.1* 7.19* 2.03* 104*
866 3.5 Low Choice 5.4
892 4.6* Avg Choice* 4.7
637 2078 302
800* 2094 155*
*Difference between low- and high-RFI steers was significant at P < 0.05.
the trial. The steers that made the most profit (blue diamonds) were those that had either above average gains (right half of the figure), above average RFI (lower half of the figure), or both (lower-right quadrant of the figure). Conversely, those steers that generated the least profit (green triangles) had either below average gains, below average RFI or both (upper-left quadrant). Note that the impact of carcass-quality traits on profit is not illustrated in this figure. These results demonstrate that between-animal variation in performance, feed efficiency and carcass-quality all contribute to profitability of feedlot steers and illustrate the value of balanced selection programs to favorably improve net returns for beef production systems.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gordon Carstens is a professor in animal nutrition, Kirby Jackson is a graduate student in beef cattle nutrition and Dan Hale is a professor and Extension Meat Specialist, all at Texas A&M University - College Station. FRONTLINE Beef Producer 29
GENETICS
by Alison VAN EENENNAAM, PH.D. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALIST ANIMAL GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Genomic-Enhanced EPDs
D
NA markers have come a long way in the past decade. Some of you may remember the first tests that came to market in the early 90s– tests that involved one to a few markers. The results were reported in a form (e.g. stars) that indicated the number of “good” markers an animal had for traits such as tenderness or marbling. This testing was independent of breed association genetic evaluations (i.e. EPDs) and ultimately failed because one marker associated with a single gene typically does not account for very much genetic variation in a complex trait like marbling which is thought to be affected by the interactions of thousands of genes. Since that time, DNA testing has matured from single marker tests to panels that simultaneously assay tens of thousands of markers, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), using a technology platform called a “SNP CHIP”. Scientists and genomics companies have learned a lot about the realities and logistics of DNA testing, and the technology is starting to come of age.
One very simple application of SNP chip technology is the use of DNA markers to determine parentage. Historically, parentage testing has been done using 15 microsatellite (also called “short, tandem repeat” or STR) DNA markers, but with the advent of the less expensive and
more reliable SNP technology, most breed associations are transitioning over to SNP-based parentage tests involving 100 SNPs. The basic idea behind parentage testing is exclusion of animals that cannot be parents based on the simple laws of inheritance. For example,
if a calf inherits an “A” marker at a particular gene from both of its parents, meaning that its genotype is homozygous “AA”, then any sire that himself does not carry an “A” marker at that gene is excluded as being a sire candidate for that calf.
EXAMPLE: HOW DOES PARENTAGE ASSIGNMENT WORK USING A TWO GENE LOCI EXAMPLE? Bull A Bull B Bull C Bull D Genotype (A/A); (C/C) (A/T); (C/G) (T/T); (G/G) (T/T); (C/C) • A calf with the genotype (A/T); (C/G) could have received one allele from any of these bulls, and so none of these bulls can be excluded as the possible sire. Additional markers would need to be used to uniquely assign one of the bulls as the sire of the calf. • A calf with genotype (A/A); (C/C) could not have been sired by Bulls C or D, but could have been sired by either Bull A or B. • A calf with genotype (T/T); (G/G) could not have been sired by Bulls A or D, but could have been sired by Bull B or C.
30 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
GENETICS Unfortunately, the 15 microsatellite (STR) markers that have been used for parentage testing in the past cannot be directly compared to the 100 or so SNP markers that are currently used for parentage verification. So, if a sire is genotyped with microsatellite markers and the calf with SNP markers, it is not possible to do the comparison between these two different types of DNA markers (i.e. microsatellite markers cannot be compared with SNP markers to verify parentage; it is only possible to perform microsatellite to microsatellite or SNP to SNP verification). Consequently, there is now a need to get SNP genotypes on legacy sires to enable the transition to the more
cost-effective SNP-based parentage verification. The cost of the SNPbased parentage verification is $20 per sample, and the turn around time is typically two weeks. There are some important practical considerations for using DNA tests to sort out which bull sired which calf in a multi-sire breeding pasture. The first is to make sure to collect a DNA sample (e.g. tail hair, blood card, semen) before the bulls are turned out with the cows. This might seem unimportant to do up front, but it is sometimes hard to track down sires after the calves are born, and it is often the case that they are no longer available to provide a sample. We recently (Van Eenennaam, A.L., K. L. Weber, and D. J. Drake. 2014.
Evaluation of bull prolificacy on commercial beef cattle ranches using DNA paternity analysis. Journal of Animal Science. 92:2693-701. http://www.journalofanimalscience. org/content/92/6/2693.full.pdf ) evaluated bull performance in multi-sire breeding pastures using SNP-based DNA parentage testing for 5,052 calves from three ranches for three years and 15 calf crops in Northern California. Bulls averaged approximately 19 calves per calf crop, but that number varied greatly ranging from 0 to 64, with an average of 4.4 percent of the bulls in any breeding season siring no progeny. The genetics of those bulls siring a high number of calves were (continued on page 32)
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 31
GENETICS (continued from page 31) disproportionately represented in the early-born replacement heifer pool. Another use of DNA information is testing for genetic conditions such as disease and other abnormalities. Many genetic conditions are recessive, meaning that two copies of the undesirable form of the gene are required for the genetic condition to be evident. This means that carriers, or heterozygous “Aa” animals appear normal but will pass on the undesirable form of the genetic condition to their offspring. If the mating involves another carrier animal, then there is a 25 percent chance of an “aa” affected calf. The list of genetic conditions currently being monitored by U.S. beef breed associations is shown in Table 1. According to Dr. Tommy Perkins, Executive Vice President of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), there have been 4,500 Brangus animals tested for Developmental Duplication (DD), and approximately one in six test as carriers. Approximately 580 animals have been tested for Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA), or “fawn calf ”, and none have tested positive; nor have any Brangus yet tested positive for Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), or “curly calf ”, or Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH). A few Osteopetrosis (OS) or “marble/hard bone” carriers have been found in Red Brangus (IBBA Webinar, Genomics 101: Brangus GE-EPDs). The cost of testing for these conditions varies depending upon (continued on page 34) 32 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
TABLE 1. RECESSIVE GENETIC CONDITIONS CURRENTLY BEING MONITORED BY U.S. BREED ASSOCIATIONS. Genetic Abnormality Alpha (α)-Mannosidosis (MA) Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM) Beta (ß)-Mannosidosis Bovine Blood Coagulation Factor XIII Deficiency (F13) Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) Claudin 16 Deficiency (CL16) Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA) Developmental Duplication (DD) Dwarfism (D2) Bulldog Dwarfism (BD)/ (Chondrodysplasia) Erythrocyte Membrane Protein Band III Deficiency (Spherocytosis) (Band 3) Hypotrichosis (hairless calf) Factor XI Deficiency (F11) Freemartin (FM) Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH) Osteopetrosis (OS) Protoporphyria Pulmonary Hypoplasia and Anasarca (PHA) Tibial Hemimelia (TH)
Primary Breed(s) of Incidence Red Angus
Lethal or Nonlethal Lethal
Angus
Lethal
Salers
Lethal
Wagyu
Nonlethal
Wagyu
Nonlethal
Wagyu
Nonlethal
Angus
Nonlethal
Angus
Nonlethal incomplete penetrance Nonlethal
Dexter
Lethal
Wagyu
Often lethal
Hereford Wagyu All Hereford
Nonlethal Nonlethal Sterile Female * Nonlethal
Angus
Lethal
Angus
Angus and Red Angus Limousin Maine-Anjou and Shorthorn; Dexter Shorthorn and Maine-Anjou; Galloway
Lethal Nonlethal Lethal Lethal
* Technically this is not a recessive condition but rather infertility resulting from sharing the womb with a male twin.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 33
GENETICS (continued from page 32) the company and how many tests are performed but ranges from $10-40 per test; with an average of $25 per test. Combining genetic condition testing with other tests (e.g. parentage) reduces the cost of the genetic condition test. The turn around time is approximately two weeks. There are many management options for the control of genetic conditions, and the best choice will depend on the needs and requirements of each enterprise Some of these options include: 1. Testing all animals and culling carriers. 2. Testing all animals and using carriers only in terminal breeding programs or in matings to noncarrier animals and testing their progeny. 3. Testing sires and using only free bulls for breeding. This last option will eliminate affected progeny and decrease the number of carriers over time. However, in some cases, the overall breeding value of carrier animals may outweigh the economic penalty associated with their carrier status. Carrier sires and dams can be used for breeding. However, follow-up testing of all progeny is essential to develop future breeding strategies with these progeny because we would expect 50 percent of their progeny to be carriers. These carriers can be identified by DNA testing. They may be culled or used in a separate breeding program with animals of identified negative or free status. The negative status progeny can then be used to perpetuate 34 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
FIGURE 1. Mating combinations that are possible for an autosomal (non sex-associated) recessive genetic condition. Free means the animal possesses two functional copies of the allele. Affected means two loss-of-function copies. Note that if this locus was a genetic lethal then all of the animals that are represented as solid black would die, and so the only possible matings would be between free (green) and carrier (green and red) individuals.
phenotypically and/or quantitatively selected superior production traits. Continued breeding of two carriers risks the production of approximately 25% affected animals. Irrespective of carrier animals in its pedigree, an animal that has been tested and found to be a non-carrier did not inherit the mutant allele and will not transmit the genetic defect
to its progeny. Crossbreeding offers another management approach to address deleterious alleles. First, crosses are unlikely to produce any affected progeny (unless both breeds have the same deleterious allele), but there is a risk of increasing the prevalence of the defective gene in the carrier (continued on page 36)
THE POwEr OF A PrOGrAm
BEGINS AND ENDS wITH quAlITy ASSurANCE. Town Creek Farm continues to raise its bar and demands of proving our program and genetics through quality assurance. ■ Fertility. Town Creek Farm is committed to proving genetics that are functional and fertile. Open and unproductive cows are culled from the herd. Heifers must calve at twoyears old. Cows are weighed when they bring their calf to the weaning pens. Finding a balance of growth, fertility and early maturity is part of our quality assurance program of which our customers have come to expect. ■ Forage-Based Genetics. Through selection and rejection, Town Creek Farm cow herd is adapted to, and thrives in, our warm, humid summers and wet, cold winters on native and improved grasses. Our cattle match our forage environment. Our system is proven through culling genetics that don’t perform and breed back in our environment. ■ Efficiency Testing with GrowSafe System. Utilizing the GrowSafe System allows Town Creek Farm to identify and propagate genetics that have greater feed efficiency. We can accurately determine which cattle gain efficiently, which cattle are less efficient and require more feed for a pound of gain. Identifying animals that have lower maintenance requirements can have a dramatic effect on reducing feed and forage inputs for our customers and for us. It’s our commitment to quality assurance. Join us for these events: February 4-7 – 2015 National Beef Cattlemen’s Convention, San Antonio, Texas August 20-22 – 2015 IBBA Fall Conference and Southeast Brangus Field Day at Town Creek Farm October 17, 2015 – Town Creek Farm Bull Sale and Commercial Bred Heifer Sale at the Farm Total Commitment
Since 1993
Town Creek Farm
Milton Sundbeck, Owner Office 662.494.5944 • 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773 Joy Reznicek 205.399.0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Tommy Sanders 662.436.6175 • Tommy@TownCreekFarm.com Ron Flake 662.509.2233 • Ron@TownCreekFarm.com
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 35
GENETICS (continued from page 34) state. Subsequent inter-breeding of cross-bred animals has the potential to produce additional carriers and affected cases. All animals are carriers of mutations that cause recessive defects somewhere in their DNA. Since an animal must inherit two copies of a given recessive mutation to be affected, and if only a few animals in the whole population typically carry the same mutation, there is rarely a mating that has the potential to create an affected offspring. It is when the frequency of a recessive mutation is high, as typically happens when relatives are mated, that there is a greater possibility that offspring will inherit the mutant allele from both sides of the family tree. The final use of DNA information I will discuss here is the use of genomic prediction equations to improve the accuracy of genetic evaluations. Traditional genetic evaluations have been developed using pedigree information and performance records. In the U.S. beef industry, these evaluations are presented in the form of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). In the absence of any other information, the genetic merit of an animal can be predicted based on the average breeding value of its parents. This generates a low accuracy “pedigree estimate” that is typically associated with young animals prior to the collection of any information on their own performance. With only ancestor information, two flush mates or full siblings will have the same EPD. However their true values will vary as a result of the 36 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
random inheritance of parental genes. One animal may by chance have obtained a superior subsample of parental alleles. Observations on the performance of an animal, and that of its descendants, enable the development of a more accurate genetic estimate for that animal. The collection of this data, especially the development of progeny test information, takes time. With progeny test information, the correlation between EPDs and the true breeding value of an animal quickly attains a high value as progeny numbers exceed 20, especially for traits with moderate to high heritability. Because DNA tests can be done at birth, they have the potential to increase the accuracy of genetic predictions on young animals. “Genomic-Enhanced EPDs” (GEEPDs) include the DNA markers as an additional source of information which improves the accuracy of the EPDs, especially in young, unproven animals where the accuracy is typically only provided by a pedigree estimate (i.e. interim EPDs) and possibly the bull’s own record. To develop GE-EPDs it is necessary to develop a breed-specific training population (a database containing thousands of animals from that breed genotyped with a high density SNP CHIP test (30K, 50K, 70K or 850K SNP CHIP) and their associated performance records on traits of interest) from which to develop genomic prediction equations that can be used to improve the accuracy of EPDs within that breed. It has become clear that genomic prediction equations are breedspecific, meaning that if a genomic
test is developed using data from one breed, it will not be accurate at predicting traits in a different breed. Consequently, a number of breed associations have developed their own breed-specific training populations. The beef breed associations that currently offer GE-EPDs include Angus, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Simmental, Limousin, and Red Angus. According to Dr. Dorian Garrick, Lush Chair in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Iowa State University and Executive Director of the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC), other beef breed associations working to develop GE-EPDs include Charolais, Shorthorn, Maine-Anjou, Santa Gertrudis and Brangus. According to Dr. Perkins, Brangus has 1,600 animals genotyped which Dr. Garrick used as a training population. He then generated equations for IBBA that have been provided to John Genho who does the Brangus National Cattle Evaluations. It is anticipated that the first Brangus GE-EPDs will be rolled out in Spring 2015. Determining which animals to test is a question of economics. The addition of more phenotyped animals to the Brangus training population will improve the accuracy of the prediction equations over time. The cost of the high density GGP-HD (80K) SNP CHIP test is $80, and it is recommend on all AI sires and donor dams as these data can be used to increase the size of the training population, ultimately improving the accuracy of Brangus GE-EPDs. SNP-based parentage (continued on page 38)
16A2 • DOB: 10/10/13
24A11 • DOB: 10/15/13
24A12 • DOB: 10/5/13
24A14 • DOB: 10/6/13
Low BW Nuff Said son - Top 10% for WW
Chattooga x Jethro - Milk EPD of 18
Chattooga son with outstanding EPDs
Chattooga son - Ranks in top 5% for Milk
188A6 • DOB: 8/18/13
541B • DOB: 1/21/14
007A2 • DOB: 8/18/13
Estancia x 188R donor - low BW, high Milk
Estancia x Magnum - Stout, young bull
16A • DOB: 10/10/13
Bred Garrett daughter - 5 traits in top 25%
Nuff Said daughter - High WW & YW EPDs
24A5 • DOB: 10/5/13
24A7 • DOB: 10/9/13
24A19 • DOB: 9/1/13
Bred Chattooga x Jethro - Top 5% for Milk
Chattooga x Jethro - Fancy and bred
Chattooga x Jethro - Several full sibs sell
2nd Gen. Estancia daughter - Top 5% for CEM EPD
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 37
GENETICS (continued from page 36) verification is included in this test at no additional cost. The GGPLD (30K) is $50 (again SNP-based parentage verification is included in this test at no additional cost). The IBBA recommends this test for any non-AI sire and/or donor dam as this low density SNP CHIP can be imputed up to 80K (using knowledge of the genome to estimate the missing SNPs) for estimation of GE-EPDs. The turnaround time on both the GGP-HD and the GGPLD is three to four weeks. The value from DNA testing includes the improved accuracy of GE-EPDs, especially in young animals, and this can accelerate the rate of genetic progress. This also decreases the risk
38 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
involved in the purchase of a young, unproven bull. Several large USDA-funded projects are now targeting the development of DNA tests that will help provide selection criteria for hard to measure traits such as feed efficiency, disease resistance and fertility. It is hoped these projects will result in products that will enable these economically-important traits to be included in national beef cattle evaluations and selection programs in the future. An analogy between DNA testing and mobile phones perhaps best describes the ongoing advancement of DNA technology. A decade ago we could not have envisioned smart phones, nor did we envision
the availability of SNP CHIPs that can genotype animals for 70,000 markers in a single assay! Like mobile phones, it is likely that new and improved uses of DNA information will continue to evolve as new discoveries are made and genomic researchers and companies come up with new and innovative ways to use DNA information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. A. L. Van Eenennaam is an Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Davis. Her research and outreach program focuses on the use of DNA-based information in livestock production systems where her focus is primarily on the beef cattle industry.
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 39
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CALENDAR FEBRUARY 2015 2 4-7
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JLS Winning Tradition Sale :: Devine, TX
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28
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IJBBA “Source of Champions” Sale :: Duncan, OK
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28
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24
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21
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AD INDEX Cattle Brokers Inc....................................................................................17 Circle X Land & Cattle Co................................................................... IFC Doak Lambert..........................................................................................40 Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch...............................................................43 Elgin Breeding Service..........................................................................40 Farris Ranching Company............................................................30, 33 GeneTrust..................................................................................................11 Indian Nations Brangus Sale..............................................................38 International Red Brangus Breeders Association.......................31 K&R Broken Bar Ranch..........................................................................25 Lack-Morrison Brangus........................................................................33 Lake Majestik Farms..............................................................................21 Lakin Oakley.............................................................................................40 Miller Brangus..........................................................................................39 Mix 30........................................................................................................... 6 Mound Creek Ranches..........................................................................17 Oak Creek Farms.................................................................................... BC Ottman’s Brangus at Valley View Ranch.........................................41 Quail Creek Brangus..............................................................................37 Ritchey Livestock ID...............................................................................20 Robertson Livestock..............................................................................40 Salacoa Valley Farms............................................................................... 7 Santa Rosa Ranch..................................................................................... 3
44 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
Shooting Star Land and Cattle..........................................................33 TBBA Miss America Sale.......................................................................44 The CUP Lab.............................................................................................40 The Genetic Edge XX Sale...................................................................19 The Oaks Farms......................................................................................... 5 Town Creek Farm....................................................................................35 Wes Dotson..............................................................................................40 West Coast Brangus Breeders Association...................................... 4 West Texas Brangus Breeders Springtime Sale............................10 Westall Ranches, LLC............................................................................... 1
FRONTLINE Beef Producer 45
Oak Creek Farms Forage Tested Bull Sale
Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 12:30 p.m. Oak Creek Farms Sale Facility, Chappell Hill, Texas
Selling 125 Forage Tested OCF Bulls Brangus Red Brangus Angus Red Angus Source Verified Commercial Heifer Sale to follow Bull Sale Pre-Sale Activities, Friday, October 23, 2015: 6:00 p.m. - Seminar followed by Ribeye Steak Dinner sponsored by Zoetis Ranch Tours Available Thursday and Friday
VOLUME DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
OAK CREEK FARMS FORAGE DEVELOPED LOW MAINTENANCE CATTLE Over Thirty Years Experience Breeding Low Input, Highly Efficient, Easy Fleshing Cattle That Thrive in The Pasture OCF Bulls gathered for Forage Test Weigh Out in Brazos River Bottom
On October 24, Our Top 125 Coming Two Year Old Forage Tested OCF Bulls Will Sell!
Bulls Forage Tested at OCF beginning on March 1st and ending September 1st under guidelines of Texas Forage & Grassland Council. Weights and Measures recorded by Texas A&M Extension Service.
oakcreekfarms.com- customer’s OCF sired calves achieve 80-90% choice & prime!
www.oakcreekfarms.com
Oak Creek Farms info@oakcreekfarms.com
Going on twelve years using DNA to identify desirable heritable traits. 46 FRONTLINE Beef Producer
John & Carolyn Kopycinski Chappell Hill, Texas 979/836-6832
Directions from Houston: Hwy 290 (60 mi west) then 4 mi south on FM 1371
Oak Creek Farms - Celebrating our 48th Anniversary - Breeding Brangus Since 1967