Tools of the Trade

TOOLS OF THE TRADE - Bull Buying

BY DEAN FISH, PH.D.

Bull Buying: As Simple as 1-2-3?

Todays discerning bull buyer has a lot of information available to make his or her bull choice easier. One must wonder though, how much is too much information and what is relevant? If you study a bull sale catalog, you’ll find a plethora of information that can blur together and become overwhelming. More detailed information has driven our beef industry to produce higher quality beef as a larger percent of the market than ever before and this trend will continue. US beef is known around the world for its high quality and this will drive future markets, too. Where do you as a bull buyer need to take your program and how much data do you need? Many of our breed associations have simplified these genetic tools and created indexes. Let’s look at a couple of areas that are important for bull selection, regardless of the segment of the beef industry that you are involved in.

Many commercial beef producers take advantage of crossbreeding and breed complementarity to best utilize the breeds available to them. US Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) scientists started looking at germ plasma for many breeds, beginning in 1969. They have looked at 36 breeds and compared them to black baldy crosses as the benchmark. Currently, 17 breeds are evaluated. Important facts from this research show that birthweight has been relatively stable but weaning weight has dramatically increased. Consequently, there have been increases in yearling and mature weight as well. Carcass size follows this trend, as does marbling. This information is important, as MARC scientists continue to discern which breeds excel in what categories and how producers may use them in their own program. Producers interested in learning more can search for across-breed EPD tables and improvements and find valuable details. Genomic Testing

Genomic testing has helped to take some of the guesswork out of predicting the performance of our cow herds. In fact, many of the purebred associations combine genomics with Expected Progeny Differences (EPD)’s to increase the predictability of certain traits. One area that commercial producers can take advantage of is using gene tests for heifer selection. There are two companies that currently offer genomic testing for heifers, Neogen and Zoetis. Both companies will help to interpret the information that they provide to make heifer selection easier for you. Once you have this information, you can identify the heifers that are lower producers for culling or breed to terminal sires. You can also customize your mating selections to complement the traits that your cow herd is strong in. This is another tool that helps to take the bias out of heifer selection. These tests are still relatively expensive, so have a plan on the heifers you want to test and keep.

Expected Progeny Differences. Most breed associations have their own base set of information that will set their EPD values. In other words, an Angus weaning weight EPD is only valuable compared to other Angus sires. There has been some effort to come up with across breed comparisons. When selecting bulls for your herd based on EPDs, it is important to know the base for that breed. That will give you a good indication of whether it is above or below breed average. Many times, EPDs will give a percentile number for a specific bull ranking within a breed, which can be useful. Indexes

Indexes attempt to be a comparative selection tool that focuses on several traits, rather than individual EPDs. They all boil down to profitability. Most indexes will fall under one of three categories: terminal, maternal or all-purpose. Terminal indexes will focus on profitability on a feeding or carcass basis. Examples include the Angus $Beef ($B) and the Hereford Certified Hereford Beef $ (CHB$). Maternal indexes will look specifically at things like calving ease, fertility and cow maintenance. Examples include Angus $Weaning and $Energy and the Gelbvieh $Cow. All-purpose indexes attempt to balance both areas of focus into a single index. There are certainly weaknessesto all of these indexes, but they continue toimprove and offer a tool for producers to selecttheir next herd sire.

This is an exciting time to be in the beefbusiness. Rapid advances in technology andinformation that producers have available iskey in helping the US retain its position asthe world’s leading producer of high-qualitybeef. Producers provide the base for thisindustry with their genetic selection decisionsand subsequent care and handling. It’s upto producers to continually make the rightchoices and strive to improve the industry,one cow herd at a time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dean Fish-PhD has dedicated his life work to livestock production in the West. Growing up on ranches in southern Arizona, he participated in 4-H beef, livestock judging and leadership programs. He currently ranches and raises commercial Angus cattle and club calves in Santa Cruz County.