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What is a Superior Settler?
For better than 30 years, Select Sires high conception dairy sires have been recognized by
the time-tested, industry-standard “Superior Settler” designation. Select Sires is proud to
introduce the Superior Settler designation in our beef lineup for 2015. As the industry
leader in research and providing objective decision-making tools for customers, Select Sires
uses a multi-tiered approach to identify our best conception sires; high fertility is only one
component of what goes into assigning the Superior Settler designation.
The Fertility Estimate Component
Select Sires has three independent in-house systems that are used to collect fertility data
on beef sires. Relative Breed Efficiency (RBE) uses data from over 2,500 dairy herds used
in our dairy progeny test programs. The Jersey Sire-RBE system uses data from numerous
extremely large dairy herds (3,000 to 10,000 cows each) that are not on the progeny test
program. In addition, Select Sires collects data from our beef cooperator herds and beef
specialists who coordinate tens of thousands of synchronized timed AI breedings each year. All of the systems
above use similar models to adjust for effects of environment (herd, month, year) and fertility of the female being
inseminated (parity, service number, milk production, etc.). All data from all sources are then strategically combined
into a single Composite Fertility Index (CFI) to take advantage of the power in numbers of services for improved
accuracy.
The Semen Quality Component
At Select Sires each collection of every bull is subjected to extensive analysis of numerous semen quality traits using
state of the art equipment, techniques, and procedures. No semen makes it to inventory that is not capable of
achieving normal and acceptable level fertility. However, some bulls more consistently produce semen of average to
above average quality than do others.
Superior Settlers tie it all together
Many times bulls have outstanding semen quality characteristics but just average fertility. On occasion bulls with
excellent semen quality may have fertility deviations that are well below average. Other times bulls with below
average semen quality characteristics can achieve well above average fertility.
Superior Settler designations are designed to remove luck,
random chance, and confusion from the process of selecting
sires for fertility potential and stack the odds in your favor to
achieve the greatest conception rates possible. Superior Settlers
not only have outstanding semen quality characteristics but also
have documented superior fertility from use in the field.
Keep sire fertility in perspective
Although sire selection for fertility potential will help stack
the odds in your favor to generate few extra pregnancies
from a given number of inseminations, it is important for
producers to remember that in the big picture, the impact of sire fertility on overall herd conception rates is
trivial compared to environmental and herd management factors affecting female fertility. Sire selection for
fertility is a supplement (not a substitute) to an effective reproductive management program.
denotes a conditional Superior Settler designation for young beef sires with outstanding semen quality
characteristics but have not yet obtained sufficient fertility data.
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Dr. Matt Utt
Director of Research,
Select Sires, Inc.
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“Our number one job is to get cows bred. We have placed our trust in Select Sires because of
their service, the results we get, and the interest they show in our program. ”
-Tim Sutphin • Hillwinds Farm, 800 comm. cows, Virginia
“Select Sires’ quality control standards for semen provides us with the assurance that every
straw we use will yield the best possible conception.”
-Jerry and Jed Connealy • Connealy Angus, Nebraska
