Highlights from Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium 2013

Each year the Beef Reproduction Task Force and Beef Reproduction Leadership Team hold conference proceedings to present the latest research and value of synchronization in beef cattle.  Complete list of topics, speakers and summaries can be found here on the ARSBC News Room website (2013).

ABS Global strongly believes in the value of synchronization for beef cattle production and profitability.  A summary of key topics and take home messages follow.

Provided by Matthew Drebing, ABS Representative

• Fixed-time AI protocols are more reliable than ever, and there really isn’t a good excuse anymore to not utilize AI; time, labor, expense, and lack of facilities can all be overcome
• Producers have to be 90% accurate in their heat detection to achieve same accuracy of a fixed-time AI protocol
• A producer can front-load the calving season with fixed-time AI, accounting for up to 38 lbs. difference in weaning weight
• Errors in frozen semen handling can be more common and costly than handlers consider. Brad Stroud, DVM, Stroud Veterinary Embryo Services, Inc , emphasized the importance of keeping the temperature of straws below -130°C at all times. Each time cells are exposed or re-exposed temperatures higher than -130°C, ice crystals in the cells rearrange, leading to damaged membranes, which increases fertilization failure. Stroud also emphasized exchanging semen and going up and down within the neck of tank increases loss of semen quality. “It can only take 10 seconds in the neck of a half-filled Dewar for the internal temperature of a frozen semen straw to reach -100°C.” Stroud also emphasized the importance of quality semen from reputable large scale bull studs to ensure quality of handling and product.
• Larry Corah, Vice President of supply development for Certified Angus Beef LLC., highlighted the demand for premium-Choice and Prime is high and changing the market place. Corah also emphasized use of AI with proven genetics can help producers obtain higher quality levels that are capturing premiums
• Steve Hopkins, Virginia Cooperative Extension, in his talk about “How do I profit from improved reproduction” listed the ability to utilize AI to create uniformity as a way to create value in heifers, cows, and calves
• Randall Hinshaw, DVM.,  Ashby Embryo, provided additional reasons and support for rectal ultrasound; listing “Why Ultrasound:  more accurate, less invasive, confirm fetal viability, diagnose pregnancy earlier (25 days), diagnose fetal anomalies, understanding follicular dynamics, assess ovarian status before breeding AI

ABS offers expert knowledge to match synchronization systems to best fit your specific needs. You can confidently look to ABS Professionals to assist and help meet your operations’ needs at any herd size.  Contact ABS today to discuss options for your herd.

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ABS Progeny Lead Fall Angus Sales

The fall sale season is underway and the Angus breed has had several outstanding sales represented so far.  ABS sired progeny have been sale standouts and impressive in the robust sale season.

Texas Angus Breeders’ Select Sale, Glen Rose, TX –

• Top Selling Bull, CoX Complement Z17T, sired by COMPLEMENT

Express Ranches Bull Sale, Yukon, OK –

• High Selling Bull, for 1/2 interest, EXAR It All Counts 2219, sired by IMPRESSION
• 2nd High Selling Bull, EXAR SEMA 2131B, sired by UPSHOT
• ABS sired progeny earned 5 of the top 8 selling bull honors, selling for an average of $17,740

Werhmann Angus Female Sale, New Market, VA – 

• Top Selling Open Heifer and overall, Rita 2H12 of 158 Rito 9Q1, sired by 9Q13
• Top Selling Bred Heifer, Rita 12E9 of 5F56 Rito 5M2, Sired by RITO REVENUE
• 2nd & 3rd High Selling Bred Heifers sired by COMPLETE
• 2nd High Selling Open Cow, Rita 0243 of Rita 7O68 5M2, sired by RITO REVENUE

Buford Ranches Bull Sale, Welch, OK – 

• 2 of the top 7 selling lots sired by BLUESTEM

Vintage Angus Ranch Female Sale, Modesto, CA – (record setting sale)

• 3rd High Selling Female, V A R Blackcap 3185, sired by UPSHOT has the #1 $B Index among non-parent daughters, brought $100,000
• UPSHOT daughters were 3 of the top 10 selling Open Heifers, with 17 total daughters in the sale averaging $20,850
• 2nd High Selling Bred Heifer, V A R Blackcap 2066, sired by UPSHOT
• Top 3 Open Cows all sired by ABS sires: ALL AROUND, COMPLETE & IMPRESSION
• Top Bred Cow, Exar Blackcap 5899, sired by COMPLETE

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Data Suggests Disposition Pays

A newly released study by Certified Angus Beef, Black Ink Basics, conducted at Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity proves docility makes a difference. The study collected data on 68,000 cattle from Iowa feedlots and used the six-point Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) disposition scoring system. The cattle were scored three to four times during feeding periods and then were grouped into three categories: docile (DC), restless (R) and nervous to very aggressive (NVA).

Highlights from the study

• When Considering all the costs, docile calves netted more than $57 above their aggressive counterparts
• Calves that were considered docile graded Premium Choice and Prime at more than double the rate of their nervous to very aggressive contemporaries
• Aggressive calves also had lower feedlot gain and efficiency, resulting in a $34.74/head feeding loss
• Favorable disposition equals higher postweaning calf value
• Docile calves earned $13.11 more in quality grade premiums
• Docile calves had more than double the Certified Angus Beef Brand acceptance rate over aggressive cattle
• Aggressive cattle produced less desirable carcasses with 25% more dark cutter

Certified Angus Beef Focus on Cattleman page

 Full Black Ink Basics release

ABS is committed to providing the highest genetic and service solutions for your operation.  If you want to improve the docility of your herd, look to these top 15 ABS mainline proven and semi-proven sires.

Name	DOC	DOC         Acc
POWER TOOL	39	0.66
SAFEGUARD	37	0.49
C C & 7	35	0.91
TEMPLATE	32	0.65
LIBERTY	31	0.70
TRUST	29	0.78
NEW DESIGN 458N	27	0.78
ABSOLUTE	27	0.60
PROGRESSION	25	0.43
2U66	24	0.32
HOOVER DAM	22	0.89
EFFICIENT	22	0.80
FORESIGHT	20	0.90
DESTINATION 928	20	0.82
MOTIVE	20	0.46

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