Genetic Advancement Special Edition
As Complete as it Gets!
Loaded with thickness, rib-shape and eye appeal, Noble was a phenotypic stand-out and the $36,000 second high seller at the October 2023 R.A. Brown Ranch Sale.
Noble allows you to mash on the throttle for extra fertility, gain, quality grade and carcass weight in addition to adding muscle, fleshing ability, docility and soundness.
#4658231 01-01-2022 K6728 : SW2W
PLEDGE A282Z
When Profit is Job One!
Sure Thing
No trait impacts cow/calf profitability like fertility and Sure Thing is as good as it gets ranking in the top 1/100 of 1%. He adds pay-weight without increasing size or birth weight, and has the marbling necessary to ensure those extra pounds will be earning PRIME premiums. No Energize, Merlin, Genuine, Confidence Plus or P707 in the first 3-geneartions of his pedigree.
#4641223 01-30-2022 K122 : RABR
LEACHMAN PLEDGE A282Z KJL/CLZB COMPLETE 7000E HXC 507C
Owned by: R.A. Brown Ranch, Schuster Farms
Owned by: R.A. Brown Ranch, Cactus Creek Cattle Co., Double A Cattle Co, M3 Cattle Co.
Brown Sure Thing K122
R. A. BROW N RANCH
He Really Does It All !
Here’s an outcross pedigree with single digit ranks for calving ease, marbling, gain, fertility and PROFIT! He Does It All adds value when used on heifers or cows, and will be an outcross pedigree for daughters of: Merlin, Energize, Genuine, Confidence Plus, and many other of today’s popular sire lines.
High Accuracy/Sleep-All-Night Calving Ease
Ranchmaster has emerged as the logical choice for large commercial heifer breeding projects with his 80+ percent accuracy for low birth weight and unassisted births. Best yet, Ranchmaster sires sound foot structure, and now has his third set of daughters in production with excellent udder quality.
Owned by: R.A. Brown Ranch, Wedel Red Angus, 3B Bar Ranch, BOLA Red Angus, JYJ Red Angus, Rocking P Angus, Rocking MR Ranch, Spruill Farms, Rhodes Red Angus, Cedar Hilo Farm, Schuster Farms, C&C Family Partners, Woodward Cattle, Speelman Red Angus, Durden Red Angus, Ferrill Family Cattle Co.
Owned by: R.A. Brown Ranch, Chasah Ranch, Double A Cattle Co, M3 Cattle Co., M5 Ranch, Waldman Ranch, Wright’s Mill Farm Brown He Does It All K118
Wedel Ranchmaster 9052G
Owned By: R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, TX
Wedel Beef Genetics, Leoti, KS
Cedar Hill Farm, Jane Lew, WV
This Black/Red Tahoe son out of a 107 MPPA full-sister to Oracle combines sleep-all-night calving ease with best of breed pay-weight. Ideal puts 10 traits in the top 10% of Red Angus, and does it in a long hipped, deep ribbed, slick haired package. Just imagine the Value of his RED 1A sons and daughters!
Two
$25
Wedel Grand Slam 3377
Owned By: Wedel Beef Genetics, Chasah Ranch,Waldman Ranch, and McVay Ranch.
The High Selling bull from the 2024 Wedel Beef Genetic’s Sale, Grand Slam represents the next generation of high profit Red Angus sires that stack outstanding spread from CED to YW with exceptional marblng and superior Fertility. His dam generated nearly $100,000 last year at her first Wedel Bull Sale. Her maternal grandam, 6094 is the high producing female in the Wedel’s herd with a 120 MPPA as a 9-yr-old.
Bring your A.I. tank to the Wedel Beef Genetics Sale Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • Leoti, KS Save shipping plus earn an extra 10% discount (in addition to any volume discounts)
Contact: Greg Comstock, GroOp, LLC • 804.647.0127 • greg@groopllc.com to ensure your order will be available on sale day. Request Wedel Sale Catalog
Magazine
Official Publication of the Red Angus Association of America
Special Edition Volume 3, Number 1
18335 E 103rd Avenue, Suite 202 Commerce City, CO 80022 (940) 387-3502 • Fax (888) 829-6069 RedAngus.org
Publisher/Advertising Director Tracey Koester 701-391-5440 • tracey@redangus.org
Editor Maclaine Shults-Mauney 785-448-0239 • brandi@redangus.org
Subscriptions and Circulation Christi Mangusso 940-387-3502, Ext. 7 • email: christi@redangus.org
Affiliated with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Improvement Federation U.S. Beef Breed’s Council National Pedigreed Livestock Council
GENERAL INFORMATION
Published 10 times annually by the Red Angus Association of America at the national headquarters (18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202, Commerce City, CO 80022). A non-political magazine dedicated to the promotion and improvement of breeding, feeding and marketing Red Angus cattle. Subscription rate: U.S., 1 year - $30.00; 2 years - $55.00. Canada and Mexico, 1 year - $44.00, 2 years - $82.00 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). International Air Mail, 1 year - $55.00; 2 years - $100.00 (Payable in U.S. Funds Only). These rates are based on Third Class Bulk mailed from Jefferson City, Missouri. Add $20.00 per year for First Class.
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING POLICY
Advertising and editorial content are not limited to any particular class of product or subject matter. However, we reserve the right to refuse publication of any material not within the bounds of high agricultural ethics. While we devote the utmost care to the preparation of each advertisement, we cannot be held responsible for ads received after the ad deadline. Furthermore, the accuracy and content of copy received over the telephone is entirely the responsibility of the advertiser. No adjustment for incorrect ad copy will be considered for ads that are received after the ad deadline or that are placed over the telephone.
All unused reserved advertising space that is not canceled by the advertising deadline will be billed to the advertiser.
1/4
Stout, thick and dark red and a top prospect for genetic advancement and worthy of your consideration. the top 33% for birthweight and in the top 5% for weaning and top 21% for yearling. IMF scan with an impressive score of 5.05 and a marbling EPD that is in the top 2% of the breed. FLRA Long Haul RK07 *4614391 Feddes Treadstone x (Independence x Deep End)
Bieber CL Stockman E116 *3751653 PIE Stockman 4051 x Pararinga Iron Ore
A top replacement for the deceased AI sire Stockmarket. Light birth, breed leading growth, carcass and maternal traits. A great choice for heifer projects and producing replacement females. Unmatched soundness and longevity. Progeny have great dispositions
Unmatched maternal genetics. A true power bull transmitting growth and performance. Massive and smooth in his make-up. Limited semen available.
VGW Top End 021 *4272811 Lasso Foundation x VGW Mercy- Mercy 412 Fritz Monument 618G *4169568 Golden Oscar x Anvil
Stout, thick, long spined, sound made bull that is easy on the eye. The do-it-all Red Angus sire with top 3% Pro S, top 7% Herdbuilder and top 14% Gridmaster. His 1st progeny are outstanding.
RAAA Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Kyley DeVoe | Justin, Texas kyley@3klandandcattle.com
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
AREA 4 DIRECTOR - SOUTHWEST
Tony Ballinger | Morgan Mill, Texas anthony.ballinger@adm.com
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
AREA 7 DIRECTOR - NORTHEAST
Rob Hess | Hershey, Pennsylvania hessfarm@verizon.net
TREASURER
REGION C DIRECTOR
Jeff Pettit | Sebree, Kentucky jeff@diamondpcattle.com
AREA 2 DIRECTOR - MONTANA BOARD SECRETARY
Kay Klompien | Manhattan, Montana klmpnra@gmail.com
REGION A DIRECTOR
Keith Hickle | Auburn, Washington keith.a.hickle@gmail.com
REGION B DIRECTOR
Craig Bieber | Leola, South Dakota craig@bieberredangus.com
AREA 1 DIRECTOR - WEST
George Murdock | Pendleton, Oregon murdockcattle@gmail.com
AREA 3 DIRECTOR - ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Aaron Kravig | Karval, Colorado akravig@kravigredangus.com
AREA 5 DIRECTOR - NORTHERN PLAINS
Stephanie Jung | Mina, South Dakota lazyjbarranch@yahoo.com
AREA 6 DIRECTOR - GREAT PLAINS
Jason Anderson | Oberlin, Kansas jasonea9@hotmail.com
AREA 8 DIRECTOR - SOUTHEAST
Jim Yance | Columbia, Alabama jim@jyjredangus.com
AREA 9 DIRECTOR - MIDWEST
Will Andras | Manchester, Illinois andras@irtc.net
Commentary Celebrating Gains with Genetic Advancement
by Tracey Koester, Publisher
Have you ever paused to reflect on the genetic gains we’ve experienced in the Red Angus breed? In a world where progress often feels like an endless chase, it’s easy to get stuck focusing on “the gap” – the space between where you are and where you want to be. But what if we shifted our focus to celebrate “the gain” instead? That simple mindset shift, as described in the book The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan, can redefine how we measure success and inspire us to see genetic advancement through a new lens.
We’re always looking for the next great bull, the best EPDs or the newest tool that will give us an edge. While that pursuit is important, it’s just as vital to celebrate how far we’ve come.
Growing up, June meant gathering cows and heat detecting for AI. We were horseback, the weather was perfect and it was hard not to dream about what each new generation of calves could bring. Today, AI is a staple because it allows producers to layer the best genetics over time. Year-to-year progress might be hard to see, but stepping back after five, 10 or 15 years reveals undeniable gains.
Genomic testing is now a cornerstone of breeding programs. Combined with AI and sires that advance profitable traits, these tools enable data-driven decisions that transform herds and improve the bottom line. These gains have not only shaped the Red Angus breed but also improved profitability and sustainability for commercial cow-calf producers nationwide.
Every calf crop represents a gain. Every heifer retained, bull purchased or sire selected is a step forward, building a stronger, more productive herd. And while there’s always room to improve – always a gap – it’s important to recognize the tangible benefits these advancements have delivered. The Red Angus breed has blended cutting-edge technology with practical application, ensuring our ranchers don’t just survive but thrive.
As you flip through this special Genetic Advancement issue, consider the gains you’ve already achieved in your herd. Celebrate them. Let them fuel your drive to close the next gap. The real magic of genetic advancement isn’t just in the destination – it’s in the journey, one thoughtful decision at a time. //
Premium is a true powerhouse, massive in his rib and muscle shape, huge topped, long spined and loaded with herd bull character. He is sound structured, great footed, awesome phenotype, big time performance, phenomenal dam and has a pedigree loaded with leading cows
Premiums dam 63H is a phenomenal young cow, she’s big middled, great footed, attractive and has an exceptional udder. She stems from our Hauk cow family and has became our top young donor The Hauks are no nonsense cows that excel in fundamental traits such as, longevity, fertility, soundness and consistency in production. A maternal sister to Premium was a $45,000 heifer calf this past fall
Premiums Pedigree is loaded with influential donors both top and bottom including Cora 443P, Hauk 28N, Hauk 280Z , Jan 78A and Christy 19U
His sire Momentum has been breeding as well as you could ask of a bull. Sons are true beef bulls and were our high selling sire group the past two years. His daughters are excellent, broody, attractive and great uddered. The only two daughters we’ve sold demanded $17,500 and $33,000
Lead bull in our Grand Champion pen of 3 Angus bulls at Canadian Western Agribition, Grand Champion pen of 3 bulls at the Medicine Hat all breeds pen show as well as the Grand Champion pen of 3 Red Angus bulls at the National Western stock show in Denver Co.
High selling bull at the Cockburn Red Angus Sale for $160,000 Lot 1. Red Cockburn Premium 3059 to Leeuwenburgh Angus, Rohrich’s Cutting Edge Ranch, and Sandhill Red Angus
Contact for Semen Packages
Dennis Leeuwenburgh (403) 308-3003
Rick Rohrich (701) 391-1911
Andrew Johnson (406) 489-3773
Lot 1
SRJJ MAGNUM 4101
red cockburn PREMIUM 3059
Dam 63H
Better Genetics Equal Better Beef
Using genomics to improve carcass traits
by Heather Smith Thomas for the Red Angus Genetic Advancement Edition
A growing number of registered and commercial cattlemen are discovering the benefits of using genomics as a selection tool when trying to improve certain traits in their cow herd. Now genomics is also being used to enhance carcass traits like marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency.
Marbling
One of the most important carcass traits is marbling. Matt Spangler, Ph.D., professor and Extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Nebraska, says many breed organizations, including RAAA, produce marbling EPDs.
“For producers wanting to improve quality grade, this is the best tool to improve carcass marbling,” said Spangler. “The challenge for seedstock producers is collecting the data needed to ensure marbling EPDs are as accurate as possible. This means they need carcass ultrasound data on their yearling bulls and heifers and need to genotype their entire calf crop. We need increased emphasis on collecting actual carcass data.”
“My hat’s off to Red Angus seedstock producers who invest the time, money and effort to collect carcass records. By doing so, they’re contributing to marbling EPDs.” Spangler said. “Commercial bull buyers need to recognize if they want to improve carcass quality, these EPDs are the tools that do it. Seedstock producers need to understand they must make the investment to collect the appropriate data. It’s challenging but worthwhile.”
He encourages bull buyers to keep a holistic view of profit in their own operations.
“Although we hear a lot about premiums and discounts associated with quality grades, this is not the only driver of profit. Commercial producers need to understand the other profit drivers of their operations and make sure their selection decisions match those,” he said.
Matt Spangler, Ph.D.
Better Genetics Equal Better Beef
Because many commercial producers don’t receive carcass data when they sell calves, they often remain unaware of their cattle’s marbling score or overall feedlot performance, making it hard to identify necessary improvements.
Retaining ownership makes data collection easier. By selling calves directly to a feedlot, producers can request detailed carcass information to see how their cattle perform and therefore measure improvement. Armed with this knowledge, they can make more informed decisions when selecting bulls.
“If a high percentage of my cattle are grading upper twothirds Choice and Prime, I have different needs when I buy bulls than the person whose cattle are grading high Select and low Choice,” Spangler explained. “Knowing where I am currently helps determine how much emphasis I should place on certain traits when making genetic selection decisions.”
Tenderness
“Tenderness is also important and we know tenderness, like marbling, is highly heritable,” Spangler said. “We can make rapid genetic changes in carcass traits if we place selection emphasis on them. The challenge with something like tenderness is that we don’t have phenotypes to inform EPDs to select for this.”
There’s no direct incentive for producers to focus on improving tenderness, since beef that scores higher in tenderness does not receive additional premiums.
“We can collect data for traits like marbling but until the beef industry decides that tenderness is something to place selection emphasis on, we probably won’t find a way to get routine measurements for tenderness to inform EPDs,” Spangler said.
Without routine data collection on tenderness, few solutions exist aside from commercially available genomic tests. Additionally, factors such as stress just before slaughter can also affect tenderness.
“There are also some known breed differences, in terms of tenderness,” Spangler explained. “Bos Taurus breeds like Angus and Red Angus have natural advantages in tenderness. That’s not to say there aren’t tough individual carcasses in these breeds but on average, they are more tender than Bos indicus breeds.”
Breed Differences in Carcass Traits
“To make big changes in carcass traits, commercial producers should understand breed differences, so they can select which breed of bulls they want to buy, then make bull selection decisions using EPDs,” Spangler advised. “For breed selection, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Christensen and his
approach their herd genetics, particularly on the bull side, from not only the cattle feeder’s perspective but also the consumer’s perspective.
annually publishes breed of sire differences for growth and carcass traits. For producers wanting to know how Red Angus compares to other breeds for marbling, carcass weight, ribeye area, etc. they can use this summary to see how they compare.”
This is a good way to compare advantages and disadvantages. “It’s also important for people to understand how breeds rank and compare today as opposed to how they ranked and compared several decades ago. Cattle have changed over time. That’s what genetic selection does; it changes the population. Thus, it is important to be aware of what the comparative advantages are currently,” he said.
Basically, it’s important for producers to understand breed differences, EPDs, profit drivers for their own enterprise and how their cattle currently perform.
“Even though carcass traits may be something commercial producers want to emphasize, it’s important they do that in the context of enterprise profitability,” concluded Spangler. “Seedstock producers need to make sure they’re doing their part by collecting the data that help make these genetic selection tools more accurate.”
Commercial Producer’s Perspective
Eric Christensen and his cousin, Kathy, currently operate Christensen Brothers Inc., in Weldona, Colorado, which was established by their grandfather, Edward R. Christensen, in 1923.
“The business has changed a lot. My granddad farmed and ran sheep. He had a cow herd in the 1950s, then started feeding cattle – and the business my cousin and I grew up in was strictly farmer-feeders or purchasing cattle to feed
Eric
cousin, Kathy, of Christensen Brothers Inc.,
Better Genetics Equal Better Beef
out,” Christensen said. “Kathy and I decided to focus on the ‘natural’ niche in the market. We soon realized we needed to control the genetics to make sure the cattle would perform well on the rail, so we decided to establish our own cow herd.”
“We approached our herd genetics, particularly on the bull side, from not only the cattle feeder’s perspective but also the consumer’s perspective. If the consumer doesn’t have a good experience with our beef, we have to fix something –before the animal enters the feedlot,” he explained.
After college, the cousins worked off the farm before returning to the family operation. Once their initial cow herd was established, Christensen focused on finding the best bulls to align with their herd goals.
“The internet was around but not very user-friendly. I had to educate myself on EPDs – how they worked, what they did. In one of the courses I took in college, W. Edward Deming was a statistician who helped Japan rebuild its economy after World War II. He used statistical analysis to promote total quality management. That was the attitude I adopted when looking at EPDs,” Christensen explained.
“I found an index that uses percentiles of EPDs and their ranking in a breed to compare bulls. The percentile tool made sense from a statistical standpoint when trying to improve something. Just looking at the raw EPD number without context doesn’t really mean anything,” he said.
“In the beginning, we bought black Angus and cross-bred Angus cows. When it was my turn to buy bulls, I went to a few Angus sales – seedstock people I knew and trusted,” Christensen said. “One day, I saw an ad for Red Angus in Colorado. Out of curiosity, I went to that sale. A great deal of the data in the Red Angus database was from the seller’s herd.”
Christensen explained that while he would like to attribute their success to excellent management, luck played a big
“The more data you obtain, the more accurate the data becomes. Profitability and the big picture are also important when making genetic selections.”
part. He purchased some Red Angus bulls during the early stages of learning, unsure of the exact direction for their genetics. When the first Red Angus calves hit the ground the following spring, the difference was clear.
“We continued growing our herd and obtaining carcass data when we harvested those cattle. Within a few years we decided to buy more Red Angus bulls and focus more on carcass traits like marbling and yield grade,” he said. “A few Red Angus sires we used were excellent carcass bulls. We continued to apply that index based on what we felt were the most important traits for what we wanted to obtain in terms of carcass.”
Christensen Brothers Inc., achieved their goal of producing quality carcasses and earned several Grid Master awards from the Red Angus Association of America. They were praised by local seedstock producers for how they raised and fed their cattle but noticed their carcass weights progressively lowering as a result of the calving ease sire groups they’d chose to focus on. Over time, their focus changed.
“The more data you obtain, the more accurate the data becomes,” Christensen said. “We select cattle not only for carcass traits but a more balanced animal, working in some maternal and growth traits. Profitability and the big picture are also important when making genetic selections. There must be several legs on the stool, to make it a steady balance.” //
Christensen Brothers Inc. focus on carcass traits like marbling and yield grade to achieve their goal of producing quality carcasses while still maintaining balance in their herd.
TUCKER 54E
Performance • Calving Ease
DK STARTUP M721 #5000353
BW: 84 • WW: 713 • YW: 1241
BW78 • WW: 749 • YW: 1234
Sire: NIO START UP 1294 DK INVASION M011 #5000461
DK ABSOLUTE M066 #5000475
BW: 89 • WW: 775 • YW: 1384
Sire: PIE ABSOLUTE 2415 DK RED RIVER M137 #5000453 BW: 89 • WW: 771 • YW: 1419 Sire: TRAXS RED RIVER K21
WILLOW TOP PICK 750-1919 – #4205558
DK IMPECCABLE H819 #4318945
BIEBER DRIVEN C540 – #3474416
DK RESOURCE J316 – #4490335
DK ATOMIC H529 –#4318895
LSF SRR IDENTITY 0295H – #4276063
LRL IBM K6 – #4582865
SITZ
Sire: LEM INVASION 2016 ET DK MIDAS M200 #5000641 BW: 79 • WW: 780 • YW: 1434 Sire: PIE
DK RED RIVER M899 #5000405
95 • WW: 763 • YW: 1383 Sire: TRAXS RED RIVER K21
10208 – *19057457
Offering Progeny From These Breed Leaders
Harnessing AI for Higher Accuracy and Profits
by Melissa Hart for the Red Angus Genetic Advancement Edition
Is careful planning the main obstacle to using artificial insemination in cow herds? Is it the lack of farm labor or did producers abandon the technology because it didn’t work well enough 40 years ago?
Whatever the reason, producers may be missing out on a profitable practice that could change their breeding philosophy and speed up their genetic progress. Having optimum genetics is increasingly important to meeting industry demands and is crucial to achieving premium dollars and enhancing returns on investment.
Sandy Johnson, Ph.D., professor and Extension specialist with Kansas State University, aims to promote wider adoption of reproductive technologies among cow-calf producers and educate them on management considerations that increase the likelihood of successful AI breeding.
The Economic Benefits
Those producing bulls or seedstock for sale or marketing into premium quality beef grids can leverage opportunities available through AI.
“The ability to use high-accuracy sires improves our knowledge of their true genetic value so the EPDs we have are better predictors of future offspring,” Johnson said.
Another benefit producers cite is the value of replacements. “I interpret this to mean the replacement females they create with AI get them closer to their genetic and marketing goals than the natural-service sires they can buy.”
There is often a reduction in calving difficulty from high-accuracy, calving-ease AI sires as well. This also means cows cycle sooner after calving and are more likely to conceive early in the breeding season and wean an older, heavier calf.
Johnson explained, “[With AI] fewer calves are lost during calving for several potential reasons. First, observers are paying better attention due to the time and labor it takes to AI and they want to see the fruits of their labor. If they used synchronization with their AI, they know they’ll be producing lots of calves and are better prepared for calving. In addition, being able to use calving-ease bulls reduces the risk of cow and calf loss.”
She added, “If we look at AI with estrus synchronization, then the age advantage might be considered. They are 21 days older (born one cycle sooner) and if calves gain 2 lbs. per day, that’s an additional 40 lbs. at weaning.”
Sandy Johnson, Ph.D.
Harnessing AI for Higher Accuracy and Profits
Using AI sires can also reduce the need for natural-service sires, providing additional economic benefits.
Advantages with Accuracy
Accuracy offers many advantages when comparing calves out of AI sires with those from natural-service sires. AI sires with extensive offspring records typically offer greater accuracy and thus lower risk than natural-service sires.
According to Johnson, even if both sires have the same EPD value, there is less risk with the high-accuracy AI sire. In addition, AI-bred replacement heifers typically command a premium at auction.
Those who have successfully adopted AI include many seedstock producers, as well as commercial operations that use it in replacement heifers to reduce calving difficulty while still meeting performance goals. These commercial producers also benefit from improving the genetic merit of their replacements.
Johnson indicated that commercial producers interested in marketing high-quality beef on a quality grid are switching to AI for greater carcass accuracy.
Carcass data collection takes time when using natural-service sires. “It’s a longer climb in progress when you use your own bulls, so why not use bulls that we have more information on?” Johnson said. “There is more predictability about what the offspring will do in terms of carcass merit and the risk of producing outliers is reduced. With high accuracy sires, producers are more likely to hit their marketing target.”
The Planning Piece
When it comes to using AI technology, having a plan in place is crucial. Before switching to an AI program, a K-State Research and Extension guide publication suggests scrutinizing pregnancy rates.
After a 60-day breeding season, pregnancy rates (number pregnant divided by number exposed) should be 85% to 90% plus, before starting a synchronization and AI program.
Lower fertility may indicate suboptimal health, nutrition or other management issues that can compromise AI success. A widely accepted recommendation is a Body Condition Score of 5 to 6 to ensure females are cycling properly.
Planning for adequate farm labor is another limiting factor. Producers often focus on feeding routines, cattle roundup, chute work and veterinary tasks but may not schedule labor for key times in heat detection, estrus synchronization and insemination. The solution is to think carefully about where the labor supply will come from and whether it will be available at peak times.
Having a plan is crucial to AI success. That plan includes herd pregnancy rate evaluation, nutrition, adequate labor and proper handling facilities.
Adequate handling facilities are also a necessity. Cattle flow and efficiency are key. Johnson noted that inseminators who AI a lot of cows are, “fast but they also get cows pregnant.”
Weather can also pose challenges when large numbers of calves arrive in a short period under poor conditions, so producers should ensure they have the resources to manage such circumstances.
Synchronization
Estrus synchronization can help increase the number of successfully bred females earlier in the season and tighten calving windows. According to Johnson, older calves will wean heavier and carry that advantage forward, either as replacement females or market cattle.
“Synchronizing cows for use with natural service is often a good first step for producers thinking about AI for the first
Harnessing AI for Higher Accuracy and Profits
time,” she explained. “There are typically fewer steps and it can still increase the number of cows calving early, which benefits them the following year. Some producers may choose synchronization with natural service during a year when they can’t manage their usual AI program but still want more cows bred early.”
“Many producers have learned the value of using synchronization with AI. Depending on current management, producers who used AI over time continue to reap the benefits of a front-loaded calving season, shorter calving window and less need for calving assistance because of high-accuracy sires that reduce calving difficulty,” said Johnson.
“Producers who want to build on AI genetics, keep AI-sired replacement females and breed them to another AI sire and begin adding multiple generations.”
She added that AI-sired heifers will likely calve early in their breeding season and stay in the herd longer due to their age advantage.
Synchronization systems vary and each has a unique twist. Not all systems fit every operation and cost-benefit analyses are necessary. Johnson said optimal reproductive performance relies on solid year-round management but
Many producers have learned the value of using synchronization with AI. Depending on current management, producers who used AI over time continue to reap the benefits of a front-loaded calving season, shorter calving window and less need for calving assistance because of highaccuracy sires that reduce calving difficulty.
even well-managed cows will not respond if protocol errors occur. Poor results often stem from mistakes in treatment protocols and unrealistic expectations.
Sexed Semen
“For producers with strong marketing plans and AI skills, sexed semen provides an opportunity to improve their bottom line, assuming they have a solid plan for both male and female calves,” Johnson said. “Sexed semen may help generate replacement females (especially F1 females) in a more manageable way. Producers should still plan for reduced pregnancy rates with sexed semen and be pleased if they match those from conventional semen.”
The Breed Advantage
For the Red Angus breed specifically, Johnson noted, “The more producers use high-accuracy sires, the quicker they can reach their genetic goals. If more heifers were bred using AI and accurate AI pregnancy data went into the database, the breed could learn more about heifer’s ability to conceive early and more about the sire fertility.”
“If a producer has access to a market that pays a premium for genetic traits, AI offers more genetic options and higher accuracy sires to achieve that premium sooner,” she concluded. //
Annual Producti Sale
O dedicati to producing quality p f mance ca le is a c tinuing c mitment to r cust s.
We practice selection and culling for traits that support efficiency and longevity within our environmental constraints of the Badlands in North Dakota. Cattle that excel in this setting can flourish just about anywhere else! S iving f mod ate, easy-fleshing ca le.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The Feedlot • Belfield, ND
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. MT
Sale: 1 p.m. MT
Selling:
60 Red Angus Yearling Bulls
30 Open Heifers
10 Bred Heifers (Guest Consigner) Including a good selection of heifer-bull prospects. Red Angus Heifers and Semen Available by Private Treaty
Buy with c fidence –Our bulls are genomic tested, parent verified, carcass ultrasounded and fertility tested.
& Annette Steffan 4291 Hwy 85 South • Belfield, ND 58622
Annette: 701-290-9745
Chuck: 701-260-4630
HRR BODY BUILDER 4231 #4958374
Timing is Everything
Getting
the
estrus
synchronization
protocol timing right can make or break a breeding program
by Jessica Wesson for the Red Angus Genetic Advancement Edition
Timing is everything and it’s a major factor in the success of any cattle operation. However, it is especially crucial in the estrus synchronization protocol, no matter which system is used.
Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, explained how estrus synchronization benefits producers.
“We want to make sure there is a quality oocyte meeting the sperm, resulting in an embryo and eventually a calf,” Koziol said. “We can use top-tier semen to improve the genetics of our herd and tighten the calving window. A smaller calving window consolidates labor resources.”
There are numerous estrus synchronization protocols in use.
“Producers have a wide range of protocols to choose from, depending on their goals for their herd,” Koziol said. “It depends on several factors, like whether they plan to AI, how much labor they have, how intensively they want to manage their herd and more.”
Producers should also consider other factors when choosing a protocol.
“It also depends on whether they want to observe the cattle for signs of estrus or if they want to do a timed AI,” she said. “If they decide to do a timed AI, all females will ovulate in a short timeframe and be artificially inseminated at the same time.”
No matter which protocol a producer picks, timing is the backbone of estrus synchronization. There are three key points to keep in mind:
• The lifespan of the corpus luteum
• The length of the follicular wave
• The lifespan of an oocyte
“Cows have a 21-day estrus cycle and multiple follicular waves during that cycle,” Koziol said. “We need to time the follicular waves just right, in order to capitalize on that. If we keep the dominant follicle dormant for too long, the oocyte can age too much and may not form an embryo.”
Handling frozen semen is also time sensitive.
“Once we thaw the semen and place it in the female, it has a finite lifespan within her,” Koziol explained. “So, the timing
Jennifer Koziol
Timing is Everything
must be perfect at every level while manipulating the cows’ estrus cycle to result in a calf.”
Missing the Timing
What if the timing is off on one or more stages in the estrus synchronization process? Koziol said the scale of the impact depends on the mistake.
“The consequences of missing a step or having an unintentional delay vary depending on where you are in the protocol and how much time has passed,” Koziol said.
Common Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is mixing up the shots that trigger certain aspects of estrus.
“Often, producers mix up their PGF2a and their GnRH shots, which serve two very different purposes in the synchronization process,” Koziol said. “If this happens, we typically don’t get a viable pregnancy because we didn’t trigger the correct hormonal events at the right time. This will waste the labor, time and money spent on pharmaceuticals.”
Using the right products is essential but so is delivering the correct dosage. “GnRH is typically a 2 ml dose, while the PGF2a shot would typically be 5 ml,” Koziol said. “Sometimes a smaller dose of PGF2a is administered, which has bigger consequence than overdosing on GnRH.”
CIDRs also play a significant role in estrus timing.
“If CIDRS aren’t pulled on the correct day, that can be a costly mistake,” Koziol said. “Even if it’s just one day early or one day late, it can throw off the protocol.”
The Narjes Family including (back row L to R) Regina Narjes, Reid Narjes, Tyson Narjes, (front row L to R) Clara Narjes, and Isaac Narjes.
Timing is Everything
Scheduling Tips
Koziol recommended that producers track estrus synchronization protocols with whatever method works best for them.
“I like to lay everything out on a calendar and send calendar invites with reminders to my phone,” Koziol said. “I’ll set it to remind me 12 or 24 hours in advance so I can prepare. We also include details like which product is being administered and how much.”
Traditional methods work better for some producers. “We often label our drugs with dates and dosages. Sometimes I will print the protocol as a physical checklist,” Koziol said. “When someone takes a bottle out of the refrigerator, this helps them easily identify when to give the drug and how much.”
GENEX Beef App
For commercial producer Tyson Narjes of Narjes Cattle Co. in Sidney, Nebraska, every hour counts. He uses the GENEX Beef app to plan his synchronization program.
“It’s nice to know that everyone involved in our estrus synching has the app on their phone,” Narjes said. “It keeps track of when shots need to be given, when CIDRs need to be pulled and other important dates. Sometimes, we have three or four different groups of females that we’re synching simultaneously and this app helps keep everything on schedule.”
He also uses the app to coordinate with his AI technician.
“I correspond with my AI tech to find the best timing for conception based on their experience and the app helps us plan that,” Narjes said.
Among other features, the app lets producers reverse-plan their synchronization steps based on the date they want to perform AI.
“When I know the date and time of the AI tech’s visit, I can plan the rest of the estrus cycle around that in the app,” Narjes said. “When you enter the AI date, the app will automatically fill in the timing for the rest of your protocol. You can test different schedules to see which works best for you based on your tech’s availability.”
Apps, like the GENEX Beef app, help producers plan their synchronization protocols based on the day they want to breed, then populating the days and times for each step of the process.
Because Narjes’s estrus synchronization involves multiple people, the app helps everyone stay on the same page.
“My wife and I are always running our kids to sports, 4-H events and other things, so we’re not always on-site during each step,” Narjes said. “We employ farmhands and seasonal workers who need an easy, accessible way to see the plan. This app keeps everyone aligned no matter what comes up.”
Before using the app, Narjes spent countless hours manually organizing his estrus protocol.
“I would literally go through the protocols two or three times with pen and paper, trying to calculate hours and dates correctly,” Narjes said. “Now I don’t second-guess myself or waste hours. This app makes it easier.”
He recommends the app to anyone, whether they have decades of experience or are brand new to raising cattle.
“When you download the app, it asks questions about your operation to set up
BUILDING AMERICAN
Timing is Everything
your experience,” Narjes said. “It also lets you explore different protocols and learn more about them.”
Additionally, the app allows users to search and sort bulls by updated EPD information, economic indexes, photos, videos and progeny photos. Producers can also manage their semen inventory.
Narjes emphasized that working closely with a trusted AI technician is another critical strategy for timing your estrus synchronization protocol.
“I rely on my AI tech’s experience,” Narjes said. “For the last couple of years, we bred at 56 hours on our heifers but our tech advised moving to 52 hours. We saw more heifers coming into heat than the protocol anticipated. Listening to the professionals is one of the most valuable things we do.”
What to Do if Timing is Off
Correcting a mistake is not always feasible but Koziol says there are options.
“The best thing to do when you realize that you missed a step or the timing is wrong is to contact your veterinarian or AI tech,” Koziol said.
“You need to talk to them about what step was missed or how far off the timing is and they can help you devise a plan to recover depending on where you are in the synchronization process. It might be a simple correction but sometimes you may have to fall back on plan B.”
Timing truly is everything in the cattle business, especially in estrus synchronization. The slightest misstep can cause a domino effect that could mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful breeding program. //
ProS
BIEBER SPARTACUS A193 X BIEBER JUMPSTART J137
FEDDES C31-4256 Reg. #4961562
BROWN JYJ REDEMPTION Y1334 X PIE CAPTAIN 057
FEDDES FCC 107W-4600 Reg. #4898430
BASIN HOBO 0545 x BIEBER HARD DRIVE Y120
Here’s a full brother to Solid State that sold in last year’s sale to Cross Diamond for $25,000. Solid State got used in herds all over the country. This brother has more raw muscle and weaned off the cow at 822 lbs. If you are looking to add muscle and pounds to your calves without giving up maternal and fertility, look no further!
A maternal brother to Feddes Amsterdam who was one of the high-selling Drifter sons last year selling to Select Sires. His dam is making a name for herself in our herd with perfect feet and udder and a great production record for a young cow. Top growth and carcass EPDs. Big Sky Country Red Angus ... Where Performance Meets Maternal! Annual Production Sale Monday, March 10, 2025 1 p.m. • At the Ranch, Manhattan, MT
4256’s dam, Blockana C31, is the highest valued donor ever at Feddes Red Angus. She stamps her calves with an incredible phenotype and this bull is no different. He catches everyone’s eye that goes through the bulls. We plan to use this bull in our herd.
HXC CONQUEST 4405P x BIEBER PAYDAY K113
An extremely attractive Payday son with a little extra frame and extension. Top 1% WW and YW with 112 WR. Dam is a 10-year-old Conquest cow that has earned herself a 104 MPPA and has stayed in our early-calving group all her life. This bull provides eye appeal, performance and longevity all in one package!!
Chuck & Carol Feddes • 406-581-8826
Jake & Alyssa Feddes • 406-581-8157 2610 Churchill Rd • Manhattan, MT 59741 www.feddesredangus.com
Use Red Choice to improve heifer development, increase marketing opportunities or Red Angus females and create reliable sources of high-quality replacement heifers for cattle producers.
Red Choice Requirements
• Heifers Enrolled in a Red Angus Value-Added Program
• Vaccination Protocol
• Pelvic Measurement/Tract Score
• Phenotypic Assessment
• Planned Mating to Eligible Sires
• Pregnancy Exam
Producers can put premium Red Choice females to work in their herd with the confidence these females have been managed and raised to the highest quality standards possible.
To learn more about Red Choice and how to enroll heifers,visit RedAngus.org.
WEBR BEARTOOTH 2138
LSF SRR TAKEOVER 5051C X WEBR SAMANTHA 741 (ROLLIN DEEP)
*FIRST SONS WILL SELL MARCH 25
OHRR COMPLEMENT 155D 5K
KJL/CLZB COMPLETE 7000E X OHRR 155D (SIX MILE SPENCER 111B)
*FIRST SONS WILL SELL MARCH 25
OTHER REFERENCE SIRES:
L83 KREEDANCE 2K
SIX MILE JOLT 452J
RED WILBAR INTUITION 832J
SMOKY Y OZARK 9131G
RED DIAMOND EL RAY 102 DF HECTOR 19H
STCC TECUMSEH 058J
4/B DYNAMO
Using Sexed Semen to Navigate the Genetic Fork in the Road
by Garrett Ulmer, University of Tennessee beef cattle genomics
Some cattle are excelling at rapidly producing a high-quality end product; however, they are usually not the low-maintenance females that producers want to have in their cow herd. Similarly, the ideal bull for producing replacement females may not produce high-value feeder or carcass cattle. Rather than focusing breeding goals on being heavily terminal or primarily maternal, sexed semen allows commercial herds of all sizes to “take both roads.”
Intentionally making quality replacement females while maximizing terminal value from non-replacement animals. Kenny Wells from ABS Global detailed innovations in this space during the Advancements in Producer Education breakout session. The session part of the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium held last June in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Wells emphasized that competing industries have already capitalized on creating breeding programs which allow them to achieve maximum profitability. Pork producers leverage optimized genetic lines along with maternal and terminal heterosis to increase in product value of offspring. Dairy farmers have refined their maternal unit for milk production with female sexed semen while also making use their former byproduct, dairy steers, by utilizing terminal beef genetics.
Sexed semen is not just a tool for dairy producers. Beef operations can use it to meet maternal and terminal goals within the same calf crop. During his presentation, Wells discussed ways that ABS has deployed sexed semen in beef settings. One example is the 60/40 Sync Program, which builds on the idea of segmenting your cow herd so that your most fertile cows are bred to produce your replacement heifers, while the rest will produce a more terminal animal.
The 60/40 Sync Program works by synchronizing and fitting all females with an estrus detection aid, just as rec-
graduate student, originally published on Drovers.com
ommended for fixed-time AI protocols. Females that display estrus with fully activated patches, usually around 60%, are then time AI bred with female sexed semen from maternally designed bulls.
The remaining females that have not displayed estrus, around 40%, are time AI bred with conventional semen from terminally focused bulls and all cows are exposed to a terminally oriented sire for clean-up. This program aims for the resulting calf crop to be made up of 35% maternally designed heifer calves to retain in the herd and 65% terminally focused animals, the majority of which are steers, to market.
Wells discussed how the strategic use of sexed semen could allow even very small producers to implement a structured crossbreeding program by using different breeds of bull as maternal and terminal sires.
Programs like the 60/40 also have long-term reproduction benefits within herds. It allows the most fertile cows to have heifer calves born early in a calving season.
This “head start” results in older replacement females that conceive earlier and have heavier calves throughout their productive lives. Wells was clear that even though this program may not maximize pregnancy rate to AI, it does create the opportunity to generate the “right” calf from every mating.
Wells’ presentation discussed a multiyear demonstration of the 60/40 program between ABS and the Bair Ranch in central Montana. The study assigned 250 cows to either a control group, which followed a fixed-time AI protocol using conventional semen, or a test group, which implemented the 60/40 Program.
Over four years of data collection, the Bair Ranch averaged 25%-30% of the calf crop being maternally designed heifers resulting from sexed semen –
exceeding the ranch’s target of 23%-24% to keep as replacements every year.
Key takeaways included that female sexed semen resulted in an average of 91% heifer calves and that female sexed and overall pregnancy rates in the 60/40 test group were lower than those of conventional semen.
Their work also indicated that the 60/40 program reduced the relative proportion of calves being born in the first interval when compared to the control. However, more 60/40 calves were born in the second calving interval, suggesting that 60/40 sync likely doesn’t significantly impact the length of the calving season.
Wells was clear: For the 60/40 program to work, producers must choose the right genetic inputs for their respective programs.
With sexed semen, producers can adjust areas of their herd that previously they could not: more selection pressure can be applied to terminal traits without throwing maternal quality out of balance, and maternal traits can be selected for without reducing terminal profitability.
The implementation of crossbreeding also allows for significant increases in efficiency through heterosis, particularly for lowly heritable maternal traits such as fertility and health.
Taken together, 60/40 Sync Program provides a framework for a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient breeding system. The concept laid out by Wells represents a flexible and adaptable strategy for producers to focus on making fertile, feed efficient and moderate replacement females while enhancing growth and carcass quality on their terminal calves. //
Kenny Wells
LONE TREE ANGUS
#5002239
Lone Tree Yellowstone M028 is one of the most exciting herd sire prospects we’ve ever raised. He is a huge spread bull, going from a 91 BR to achieving the heaviest Yearling Weight of the bulls on test! He exhibits a great disposition, large scrotal and extra length and volume. We think this bull has a very bright future!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025
Selling: 85 Yearling Bulls (70 Red Angus, 15 Black Angus) 5 2-Year-Old Bulls (3 Red Angus, 1 Sim-Angus, 1 Black Angus) 11 Bred Females (9 Red Angus, 2 Black Angus) One Elite Pick of our 2024-born Open Heifers!
• Free keep until mid-April with free delivery to surrounding states. Bulls will be delivered to your doorstep!
• OR Free keep until June 1 if picked up from the ranch!
• Bulls are developed in a 25-acre pasture that allows for plenty of exercise and muscle development. We produce athletes!
• Bulls are backed by a two-year breeding guarantee!
#5002101
#5001959
Overmiller Red Angus & Gelbvieh, Smith Center, KS
Frank Cattle Co., Chappell, NE
Lazy D Red Angus, Williston, ND, DVAuction.com
Barenthsen-Bullinger Red Angus, Powers Lake, ND
Olson’s Red Power Performance Bull & Female Sale, Argusville, ND
Wasem Red Angus, Richardton, ND
21 R Lazy B Ranch, Aberdeen, SD
21-23 Calvo Family Red Angus, Burlington, WY
22-23 Turtle River Cattle Co. Online Bull Sale, DVAuction.com
Michigan Beef Expo Breed Sales 22 Ravenscroft Red Angus Annual Bull Sale, Valentine, NE 23 Namken Red Angus, Lake Norden, SD 24 Lone Tree Red Angus, Meadow, SD
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28 Brenner Angus, Mandan, ND
March
1 Final Ad Reservation/Editorial Deadline for April Red Angus Magazine
Chappell Red Angus, Mill Pall, PA
DK Red Angus, Williston, ND
Dry Creek Ranch Red Angus Opening Private Treaty Day, Amidon, ND
Mead Farms,
HIll Farms More Than a Bull Sale, Lafayette, TN
Red Reckoning, Douds, IA
Flat Water Red Angus Gang, Broken Bow, NE
Holton Cattle Co., Cisco, TX
Weber Red Angus & Charolais, Lake Andes, SD
Steady Run Genetics, Hedrick, Iowa
Green Mountain Red Angus, Logan, MT
Klompien & CK Red Angus, Manhattan, MT
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Martin Red Angus, Glasgow, MT
Sandridge Land & Cattle, Perkins, OK
Mushrush Ranches, Strong City, KS
Schweitzer Red Angus, Pleasant Dale, NE
Fischer Red Angus, Harlowton, MT 22 Pacific Northwest Red Bull Rendezvous, Othello, WA
Rocking R Red Angus, Bayard, NE 2 Wood V Bar X, Sandpoint, ID
Dahlke Red Angus, Bagley, MN
L83 Ranch, Mandan, ND
Diamond H Red Angus, Victoria, KS
Westphal Red Angus, Grass Range, MT
JRA SPARK Youth Leadership Event, Desdemona, TX
Gibbs Red Angus, Glasgow, MT
Schuler Red Angus, Bridgeport, NE 29 Rogers & Lile Red Angus, Strafford, MO
Axtell Cattle Co., Sterling, CO
McEntire Red Angus, Sweetwater, OK
Red Angus Photography Contest Deadline
Koester Red Angus combines over 20 years of genomic DNA testing with practical, hands-on selection to deliver bulls that perform both on paper and in the pasture. While advanced data drives our decisions, we never compromise structure, muscle and phenotype. Our bulls are built to produce efficient, high-performing cattle and long-lasting females – ensuring commercial cattlemen get results that are as reliable as they are profitable.
Proven Genetics. Reliable, Profitable Results.
Introducing Our New Genetic Influencers
BROWN REVEREND L156 (#4878346)
Reverend commands respect! He ranks at the very top for ProS, GM, CED and Marb – calving ease, growth and carcass. He’s one impressive dude for muscling and phenotype and offers an outcross to our herd. Expecting our first calf crop fall of 2025. Owned with Genex.
HRP ENGINEER 3059L (#4813161)
Engineer is new to our lineup and has the look and data to sire highperforming cattle. He is a long-sided, deep-made bull with exceptional muscle dimension. He has excellent foot structure as well. Expecting our first calf crop fall of 2025. Owned with Genex.
Sale Highlights
Steve & Tracey Koester Steele, ND (701) 400-1611 cell
KoesterRedAngus.com koesterredangus@gmail.com
• LAST Public Offering of H/H MHC Vintage 0101 Semen
• Multiple Matings of Beauty 113Z
• The right to flush the dam of the 2024 National Champion Bred and Owned Female
• First-Ever Offering of H/H MS CV 2106 Genetics!
