Featured Genetics
-
Proven Sires
Genetic Venture Sires
Summit Cows
Summit Sires
Trait Leaders
-
CED
CEM
BW
SC
WW
REA
YW
IMF
MILK
min FAT
TM
max FAT
Breed Averages &
% Ranking Charts
-
Non-Parents
Active Sires
Active Dams
Genetic Trends
The Importance of Sire Selection
Dan W. Moser, Kansas State University
Bull selection presents an important opportunity to enhance the profitability of the beef production enterprise. For several reasons, bull selection is one of the most important producer decisions, and as such, requires advance preparation and effort to be successful. To effectively select sires, producers must not only be well versed in the use of expected progeny differences (EPD) and understand breed differences, they must accurately and objectively assess their current genetics, resources and management. Furthermore, recent advances in DNA technology and decision-support tools add complexity to selection, but will ultimately enhance selection accuracy. Producers who stay up to date on advances in beef cattle genetics should profit from enhanced revenue and reduced production costs, as they best match genetics to their production situation.
Opportunity for Genetic Change
Sire selection represents the greatest opportunity for genetic
change. Genetic change in cow-calf operations can occur both
through sire selection and through replacement female selection
in conjunction with cow culling. Most producers raise their
own replacement heifers rather than purchasing from other
sources. This greatly limits contribution of female selection
to genetic change because a large fraction of the heifer crop
is needed for replacements. Depending on culling rate in the
cowherd, usually one-half or more of the replacement heifer
candidates are retained at weaning to allow for further selection
at breeding time. So even if the best half of the heifers are
retained, some average heifers will be in that group. Finally, the
information used to select replacement heifers in commercial
herds is limited. Producers may use in-herd ratios along with
data on the heifers' dams, but these types of data on females
do not reflect genetic differences as well as do the EPD used to
select bulls.
In contrast, whether selecting natural service sires for purchase
or sires to be used via artificial insemination (AI), the amount
of variation available can be almost overwhelming. Producers
can find bulls that will increase or decrease nearly any trait of
economic importance. Furthermore, since a relatively few bulls
will service a large number of cows, producers can select bulls
that are fairly elite even when natural mating. Use of AI allows
commercial producers to use some of the most outstanding
bulls in the world at a reasonable cost, allowing for enormous
amounts of genetic change, if desired. Finally, selection of bulls is
more accurate than female selection. Seedstock breeders provide
genetic information in the form of EPD, which allow for direct
comparison of potential sires across herds and environments.
Unlike actual measurements, EPD consider the heritability of the
trait to accurately predict genetic differences between animals. If
AI is used, even greater accuracy is possible. Bulls used in AI may
have highly proven EPD, calculated from thousands of progeny
measured in many herds and environments.
Beef Sire Selection
Whether a seedstock breeder or a commercial cattleman...
... sire selection is the premier decision that all cattle breeders
make. Understanding the concepts and the tools is
the first step in increasing your chance of success.
EPD Definitions
EPD is an effective tool for producing better cattle, but EPD alone will not produce better cattle. In fact the use of EPD alone for selection can actually create negative progress in other traits, because there are a multitude of important traits for which there are no EPD values.
Across-Breed EPD Factors
In leiu of a true, nationwide multi-breed cattle evaluation, the researchers at United States Meat Animal Research Center (US-MARC) provide adjustment factors, on an annual basis, for use in comparing the genetic differences in bulls of different breeds.
Semen Sales Statistics
Every year, the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) compiles and publishes the numbers of straws of semen sold by member organizations for all breeds of cattle, beef as well as dairy, going as far back as 1979.
National Animal Germplasm Program
The principle objectives of the NAGP are to:
--- provide secure, long term collection and storage of plant and animal genetic resources
--- provide monitoring and documentation of collections
--- an increased understanding of genetic diversity of these life forms
--- development of effective protocols for the safe storage of genetic resources
--- to provide a wide array of users with insight about the breadth and depth of the germplasm stored at NCGRP