News Update

Simple Selection Yields Exceptional Results
Aug. 18, 2006

If you want efficient and high-marbling cattle, you need to start with genetics that can do it all.

It’s difficult to find a balance of traits when looking at the many expected progeny differences (EPDs) available for bull selection. Sally Northcutt, American Angus Association genetic research director, says the process has been simplified now that the Association offers dollar-value ($Value) indexes.

“Using a tool that combines several EPDs takes some of the guesswork out of selection,” Northcutt says. “The dollar-value indexes let producers select for a balance of economically significant traits.”

Data from the beef industry’s National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) spanning 1996 to 2005 shows high-grading carcasses and high-yielding carcasses can be the same, Northcutt points out.

The Association’s Beef Value ($B) is a genetic tool to simultaneously improve postweaning performance and carcass value. Progeny of bulls in the top 10% of $B for the breed produced triple the number of USDA Prime carcasses in sire evaluation results compared to those in the bottom tenth of $B bulls.

“That can add up to real dollars for producers who sell on a quality-based grid,” Northcutt says. “Earning premiums and avoiding discounts is the key.”

Selecting balanced-trait bulls in the top 10% for $B did not appear to set back progress in yield grade, as indicated by a 5% reduction in the number of Yield Grade (YG) 4s and 5s, compared to the bottom $B bulls.

Progeny from the top tenth of $B bulls earned $82.65 more per carcass than the bottom group, when their carcass values are compared using Cattle-Fax price data.

Maternal traits were virtually untouched comparing progeny of the highest and lowest $B bulls, as seen in the Weaning Value ($W) index of $20.45 vs. $20.58.

“The dollar-value index group comprises one tool to help producers focus on a variety of traits that will affect their bottom line,” Northcutt says. “Using $B for selection won’t guarantee you’ll hit the high-quality targets, like the Certified Angus Beef® brand, but it will start you out on the right track.”

Visual appraisal is also important, she notes. “Don’t factor instinct out of the decision-making process. Make sure your bulls are sound and have a good disposition.”

For more information on this or other Angus production topics, see the “Black Ink Basics” series of technical bulletins from Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB). The continuing series of one-page summaries explains details in a concise format suitable for inclusion in sale books or customer mailings. Past volumes can be found on the Web at www.cabpartners.com/news/basics, or by contacting Lance Zimmerman at (330) 345-2333 or lzimmerman@certifiedangusbeef.com.

— Article provided by CAB.