Beef Genetic Management Guide - Angus Journal

Beef Genetic Management Guide
Published annually for beef producers in the
U.S. and Canada
Editor: Lindsay Johnson
Graphic Designer: Angela Franzen
Address correspondence to:
Genex Cooperative, Inc.
Box 469, Shawano, WI 54166
Al Kuck
Vice President Beef Programs
100 MBC Drive
Shawano, WI 54166
Tel: 715.526.7553 • Fax: 715.526.3219
akuck@crinet.com
Willie Altenburg
Assoc. Vice President, Beef Marketing
570 East County Road 64
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Tel: 970.568.7881 • Cell: 970.481.2570
Fax: 970.568.7882
waltenburg@crinet.com
Chad Ellingson
Beef Sire Procurement Manager
2100 County Rd. 135
St. Anthony, ND 58566
Tel: 701.445.7300 • Fax: 701.445.7309
cellingson@crinet.com
Brad Johnson
Beef Programs Administration Manager
100 MBC Drive
Shawano, WI 54166
Tel: 715.526.7613 • Fax: 715.526.3219
bjohnson@crinet.com
Richard Carlson
Area Sales Manager, Canada
Box 44, Ponteix, SK. SON 1Z0
Office: 306.625.3788 • Cell: 403.620.5437
rcarlson@genexcanada.com
Genex Cooperative, Inc.
100 MBC Drive, P.O. Box 469
Shawano, WI 54166
Toll-Free: 888.333.1783
Genex Cooperative, Inc.
291 Woodlawn Rd. W, Unit 4C
Guelph, ON N1H 7L6
Tel: 888.354.4622
Fax: 519.766.4796
Al Kuck
At Genex, we are focused on producer profitability. We have a
vested interest in how our members are doing financially. After all,
it’s in our best interest for you, the owners of the cooperative, to be
successful and sustainable. In sire procurement, we look for bulls
that will enhance profitability in all segments of the industry while
keeping balance and marketability in mind.
At the core of our beef program is a balance between the science of
cattle breeding and cow sense. Anyone can read the EPDs on bulls,
and if one is interested in moving toward a single goal, selection on
a single trait will give the maximum progress in that trait. However,
this progress often comes at the expense of other traits. Longevity
in trouble-free cows that breed back each year and on time is an
important aspect of profitability. That’s where cow sense comes into the
picture. Some of the traits that enhance profitability do not have EPDs!
What is the result of our efforts Growth without excessive birth
weight. Calving ease bulls with adequate growth. And bulls that
make cows that raise a calf, breed back and last for years with
minimum problems. Have we succeeded in these goals If sales
are any indicator, and the market place is usually our best critic,
we have done well! With unprecedented double digit growth in
2009, we are confident we’re heading in the right direction!
Genex has made a commitment to sexed semen in beef cattle.
Genex sires representing all breeds will be available in GenChoice,
male- and female-sorted semen. Two product lines are available,
GenChoice 90, expected to produce 90 percent of the desired sex,
and GenChoice75, expected to produce 75 percent of the desired
sex. In commercial herds, the use of GenChoice 90 female-sorted
semen on the top end of the herd can provide replacements. The
remainder of the herd could be bred with GenChoice75 male semen
so more steer calves are produced, taking advantage of the price
differential for steer calves. Seedstock producers can breed top-end
cows to either male or female GenChoice depending on the needs
of their customers. In either case, profitability of the beef operation
can be enhanced!
2010 will bring its own challenges…and opportunities! There is
a new term that will become very familiar to the cattle industry –
genomics. It is a new science of accurately predicting the genetic
rankings of animals based on their genetic makeup rather than just
on progeny performance. Expect to hear more about this technology
throughout 2010.
As you review this Beef Genetic Management Guide, we are confident
you will find bulls that will fit your program. Have a great year!
Alfred L Kuck
Vice President Beef Programs
Willie Altenburg
Chad Ellingson Brad Johnson Richard Carlson
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