PARENT IDENTIFICATION AND GENOMICALLY ENHANCED EPDS:
It is
hard to make genetic progress if you are not sure of parentage.
We have taken that question out of the equation for you by
sire identifying the bulls that we offer to you for sale. That puts
significantly more reliability in the information we provide
for you in the catalog. The risk associated with buying your
next herd sire that has not been sire identified far outweighs
the potential savings from purchasing a bull at a reduced
price that you know nothing about and does not perform.
His genetics will greatly impact your bottom line for years to
come. Furthermore, we have incorporated the use of DNA
testing to produce GE-EPDs (Genomically Enhanced EPDs).
GE-EPDs increase the accuracy and trustworthiness of the
EPDs generated so that the cataloged EPD information more
accurately predicts that animal’s genetic capabilities. We need
to be aware of the fact that performance information and ratios
were at one time all we had to predict an animal’s genetic merit
but the tools have changed and the most accurate measure of
an animal’s genetics is reflected in that animal’s GE-EPDs.
PROVEN CARCASS MERIT:
Over the past several years and since
2013, we have consistently fed the cull end of our male and
female production from our registered herd. Realizing that
these were not the best we produced we wanted to see how they
fed and what kind of harvest data they would produce. We
were very satisfied with the results as they have consistently
dressed at 64 to 65%, graded 75 to 85% choice, and 51 to 55%
have qualified for CAB and other quality grid premiums.
We are also greatly encouraged by the information shared with
us by our customers concerning the cattle they have fed sired
by our bulls. The outstanding harvest and close out information
we have received from them not only enables us to evaluate
our progress but also envision what we need to focus on in the
future.
Joe Davis from Westminster, SC, who utilizes a three-breed
rotation of Brangus, Angus and Simmental in his crossbreeding
program, recently shared the data from a set of steers harvested
in Jan of 2017. These cattle graded 95% choice, 68% were CAB
or BCPR and they dressed at 63%. From pasture to plate the
Brangus sired calves competed favorably and excelled in some
areas with the other two breeds represented. Proof that Brangus
genetics can compete with English and Continental cattle in a
crossbreeding system.
Russel Trefney a long-time GT customer also harvested a group
of cattle in January partially sired by GT bulls that were 98%
choice with 19% of them grading prime and is excited about
what our genetics are doing for his program.
Zach O’Brien a long-time GT and Suhn Cattle Co. customer
also recently reported on a set of Brangus and Ultrablack sired
steers that were fed at Tiffany Feeders. The words of Shane
Tiffany were that these cattle “did it all”. They dressed 63.8%,
were 93.3% choice with 6.8% prime and 30.8% were CAB and
28.3% were BCPR. The cattle made $146 dollars per head over
the value placed on them prior to entering the feedlot for $8468
in increased revenue for the O’Brien operation.
SUPERCHARGE YOUR HETEROSIS:
The more diverse the parent
breeds are, the greater heterosis will be. Therefore, when you
mix the genetics of Bos Indicus cattle with Bos Taurus breeds
you significantly increase the results of heterosis. A well
planned out-cross breeding program can increase weaning
weights by 23% per cow exposed and with the retention of
crossbred females they will increase the longevity of your
cowherd thus increasing lifetime productivity of approximately
one calf and 600 pounds of calf weaning weight over the
lifetime of the cow.
BIOSECURITY:
The GT programs have gone to great lengths to
establish herd health plans that will help to ensure a healthy
productive animal. However, we do not stop with just a
first-rate vaccination program. We have for years advocated
changing needles on every animal during our vaccination
process. Additionally, we are one of the few purebred
operations that require that every bull sold be tested negative
for PI-BVD, Bovine Leukosis, Johne’s and trichomanias. Your
herd health is vastly important to your bottom line and we
want to positively impact it.
As always, we encourage your input on how we can be a greater
benefit to your program. We look forward to visiting with you
about this tremendous offering and hope that you can make
plans to be with us on the March 28
th
to visually appraise this
offering that we are confident can create genetic benefits that
will positively impact your operations future.
Best,
Vernon Suhn
