New Club Calf Bulls Added to Lineup

(Edited May 15, 2015)

These up-and-coming sires are now available through your ABS Representative.

HUFF N PUFF

• Highest selling club calf bull on record out of a leading donor cow. Color, power and look, he has it all.
• No Surprises x Mossy Oak x Who Made Who
• THC / PHAF

HUFF N PUFF

SWEET BABY JAMES

• Double bred calving ease potential on both sides of pedigree! He’s clean, stylish and has a proven pedigree too.
• Jesse James x I-80
• BW: 60 lbs
• THF / PHAF

SWEET BABY JAMES

NUN BETTER

• The MAB son everyone was talking about in Denver.
• Man Among Boys x Kadabra
• BW: 90 lbs
• THC / PHAF

BEAST OF BURDEN

• Use to improve soundness and foot size. Will breed them chubby and sound with a lot of look. Great option for Charolais and Shorthorn crosses.
• Monopoly x Mossy Oak
• BW: 85 lbs
• THC / PHAF

BEAST OF BURDEN

ALL IN ONE

• One of the most popular bulls on display in Denver. Big-time power and look.
• Walks Alone x Goretska 805 (Ali x Heat wave/Habanero)
• BW: 85 lbs
• TH & PHA pending

ALL IN ONE

COMFORT ZONE

• Calving ease potential! One of the most impressive Maine-Anjou bulls in a while with an outcross pedigree and very stylish look.
• Mercedes Benz x NBH Fivestar 902R
• BW: 72 lbs
• THF / PHAF

COMFORT ZONE

Complete Sire Listing.

Is Artificial Insemination Right for Your Ranch

It goes without saying ABS promotes synchronization and AI, and the lifetime value it can add to the cowherd.There has never been a better time for synchronization and AI in the beef industry than today. Bull prices continue to set records and the additional value of AI bred and sired females can’t be denied.

But adoption of this technology use doesn’t come without questions and expectations from users, especially those new to or considering AI for the first time. Drovers CattleNetwork released an article online yesterday from their March issue, Dispelling the myths of artificial insemination, and one we feel is very accurate. Take a glance at it.

“AI isn’t meant to be easy and may not be meant for everyone, but it’s also not that difficult for people to establish in their operation,” Travis McCarty writes. “I believe more operations can incorporate AI into their management practices than what is currently being done in the industry.”

If you still need more information on whether AI is right for you and what other considerations are needed, check out these resources:

• Video of a large-scale AI project in South Dakota at the Fulton Ranch. With the use of a portable breeding barn and skilled crew, synchronization and AI in the pasture is low-stress and simplified

• The AI Cowculator is a smartphone app developed by the University of Florida to aid in the decision making process, helping producers incorporate their own costs and determine the value of estrous synchronization and AI compared to natural service.
• The Iowa State University Estrus Synchronization Planner is a free excel spreadsheet program download that is great for planning and deciding which estrus synchronization protocol is best for you. It also has a cost breakdown analysis to compare different protocol expenses for your operation. (Note, it will ask for your information when downloading – this is only so you can be notified when an update the planner is available for future downloads and the most up-to-date synchronization protocols approved by the Beef Reproduction Task Force)
• ABS Beef Blog Synchronization Q & A with Dr. Cliff Lamb  (Three-part series). Lamb addresses common questions and scenarios on the farm when things don’t always go as planned.
• This pdf article from North Dakota State University Extension Service discussing Maximizing Pregnancy Rates When Using Artificial Insemination 

If you’re still skeptical about the value of AI compared to natural service with today’s prices, check out these cost comparison charts, using this spring’s data. These charts do not account for the genetic gain of using proven genetics or additional age and weight of calves born earlier in the calving season.

If you think synchronization and AI is something you want to incorporate, talk to your local ABS Representative today. Our professional, full-service representatives are here to help you with any questions and concerns you may have.

Complete Sire Listing

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