Oldest Living ABS Bull Celebrates Golden Birthday

Birthday NEW DESIGN 878!

Veteran ABS Sire, NEW DESIGN 878, recently celebrated his 17th birthday! 878 was born Feb. 17, 1998, and has been an impressive producer since he was a yearling.

Pictured at 878’s birthday celebration on February 17, 2015: Brian McCulloh and Dan Borgen, and ABS barn crew who have cared for NEW DESIGN 878

At the turn of the year, 878’s production level approached 725,000 units, and he continues to rank in ABS’s top 20 bulls for beef semen sales in several regions across the globe. From 2003 through 2006, NEW DESIGN 878 topped the registration charts as the number one sire for registrations in the Angus breed, still holds the single-year registration record with 10,190 calves registered in 2004, and ranks second (behind first place, another ABS bull, EXT) for total lifetime registrations with 52,978 calves through September 2014.

“We knew from the day 878 arrived at ABS that he was going to be a popular animal,” said Doug Frank, ABS beef product manager. “He had a quick start and customers really liked his first calves, skyrocketing his popularity. He has since had a strong finish, continuing to offer the highest accuracy multi-trait proof in the industry.”

“At a healthy 17 years of age, 878 is proof that solid genes and great care are key to the performance and longevity of the animals,” said Brian McCulloh and Dan Borgen of Woodhill Farms, part owners of the bull. “As producers out in the field every day, we see firsthand that the way we care for our animals directly impacts how they grow and perform. ABS has this figured out and it only takes one look at their facilities and their animals for living proof of the great care their animals receive.

Despite his age, 878 continues to hit the list of American Angus Association’s Pathfinders®—holding the top slot for five years from 2008-2012 and remaining #12 today. 878’s maternal influence will likely be his most important legacy with 16,630 daughters on record weaning 55,543 calves and continuing to pass along his phenomenal genes.

Join us in wishing the “old man of the barn” happy birthday!

 

Complete sire listing

ABS Hosts South American Beef Tour

ABS recently hosted a group of South Americans who toured parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Participants visited influential seedstock and commercial ranches, Kansas State University Meat Lab, and American Angus Association’s headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Tour Group at Buford Angus Ranch

Participants engage in discussions with ABS District Business Manager, Sandra Levering, at Giles Ranch

Posing for a photo at Kniebel Cattle Company

The tour group enjoyed discussions and seminars with a diverse group of industry leaders representing the U.S. beef industry. The tour began at Express Angus Ranch in Oklahoma, making their way to Gardiner Angus Ranch, Sandhill Hereford Farms, Kniebel Red Angus, Houck Rock Simmentals, and Kansas State University. From the Kansas State University Meat Lab, the tour continued through north east Kansas to the American Angus Association headquarters and Circle A Angus Ranch where they learned more about the ABS Global Circle A Sire Alliance program. As the tour concluded through Missouri, they stopped at Joplin Regional Stockyards headed back to Oklahoma with stops at Ratcliff and Buford Ranches.

Stop at Gardiner Angus Ranch

Going through ET calves at Fink Beef Genetics

The tour made a stop at the American Angus office in St. Joesph, Missouri

ABS is thankful to both tour participants and tour stop hosts for helping make the 2013 South American Beef Tour a success. ABS believes interaction and exchange of cattle production methods across cultures is important for continued growth of the global beef industry. Sharing genetics and management practices can help achieve higher success for international beef demand.

Touring the Kansas State University Meat Lab

Going through the Angus Sire Alliance progeny test feedlot at Circle A Ranch

In front of Joplin Regional Stockyards

Touring the working pens and AI facility at Ratcliff Ranches

If you are interested in participating in future ABS Global beef tours, please contact Vasco Beheregaray, Global Beef Brand Manager, at vasco.neto@genusplc.com.

 

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

Complete Sire Listing