A progressive recipe for commercial producers Breed Complementarities & The PAP Gene

It has been said its harder to manage when times are good. In a market as this, that is evident. There is much to study in terms of calf premiums today. Could be worthwhile to kick the can past the high calf premiums and focus on increasing stability for future returns by progressing your factory of females.

For commercial producers, leveraging a program that increases quality and volume while decreasing inputs is the game we are in. Knowing I’ve said it before - hybrid vigor is the only “free lunch” in the cow business. The value of heterosis (hybrid vigor) in a cross-breeding program can add value in every cow in your factory. It’s a trait a producer can command every year, regardless of how or where you sell calves. Heterosis is the trusted building block to developing environmentally adapted females that we all strive for year after year. A program utilizing heterosis has an advantage of not only increased quality and pounds weaned on calves, but also a head start on strengthening the durability, efficiency and productivity of a cow herd.

In conjunction with heterosis, integrating low PAP tested sires on cross-bred females exposes additional attainable benefits. Research and experience proves as cattle get heavier in the finishing process, there is an increased incidence for loss in the fats by some animals that would be compromised by heart disease, even at moderate elevations of 3-4,000 feet in an arid feedlot environment. As the carcass heavies, the heart works harder in the same spirit it does under higher elevation pressure and duress.

That said, in terms of marketing cattle that work anywhere in the country, integrating low PAP bulls in your program - no matter the elevation - is a sure bet to increase your calves’ footprint and improve the survivability of your cattle in general - no matter the elevation of your headquarters or summer country, from sea level to tree-line.

In essence, the PAP gene increases the marketability and value of your cattle to work anywhere in the country. Couple the pap gene with a disciplined cross-breeding program focused on heterosis, and from start to finish, calf to cow, pasture to plate - these are mainstays in the bull program here at

With moving the operation solely to Montanawe were unable to test this year due to lack of elevation where the bull pairs pastured. We’re confident the bulls will PAP once acclimated at high elevation, and they are backed by our sale guarantee.

We look forward to seeing you at the sale this year! Best wishes for a great calving season.

-Vince Poppe

Composite & Hybrid Bulls Reference Sires

The development of an optimal herd of cows that fit the environment they will call home is the mission of any successful stockman. You have numerous areas of concern as the attempt is made to accomplish this ultimate goal. On average the deep bodied, easy fleshing type is more successful in harsh environments. By the same token, she will excel in any country that is a step up from what be considered harsh. This physiological type can and usually do carry a higher level of IMF (marbling). When females marble at a younger age they also tend to cycle earlier. Add heterosis, and both traits are evident.

The rule of thumb for increased wean weight when heterosis occurs in a calf due to cross-breeding is 10-12%. If the dam also carries heterosis in her system the increased resulting wean weight in offspring will naturally increase to 20-24%.

There are not many free-lunches in the Beef Industry. There are additional measurable benefits to incorporate heterosis in your replacement heifers. They tend to cycle earlier, are more apt to quality for high elevation (PAP test), perform at an accelerated level at the feed yard, and get a longevity boost of a year or two.

The results of multiple generations of trait management during sire selection for AI breeding has proven to be worthwhile. You will observe a noticeable trend to calving ease, high performance, added carcass value and moderate mature size in our program.