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.

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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.

 

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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