Missouri | oldtiger - 11/22/2024 16:53 So Bean, let me pick your brain a little deeper. I don't pay all that close of attention to Angus, so which bull are you referring to? And, let's keep playing the game, where is your YW weight number that's too far? Where in your mind in the name of reproductive efficiency is the right place for a YW weight range? 120-130? 150-160? Remember, I don't have an answer, maybe some ideas, discussion is good
He is in the top 5 for '24 and has previously been the #1 bull for registrations. In perfect conditions where growth is being boosted he can make a weaned calf appear as a young yearling and a yearling look like an 18 month old bull. It's impressive how high his peak is, and he's earned the top 1% growth epd honestly. Those steers push hard all the way to the hook and don't need to waste any time grazing wheat. From what I've seen, when you bring the daughters along in a more typical fashion you quickly realize they also grow, and grow, and just keep on growing. Many see his pedigree and wonder how it's possible because some claimed his sire didn't have enough in him. It's a good reminder that we still don't really control where the cards fall.
I really don't know where the ideal yw epd is, especially since the yw epd on many bulls is often based on smoke and mirrors to the point we're just begging genomics to tell us something, or anything at all, for the first few years of use. I would tend to assume someone raising their own replacements in SW, SD should be using a hell of a lot lower yw epd than someone pouring the coals to their calves in SW, MO.
My preferred breed has a fairly new maternal index. The YW epd is used to apply negative pressure to the formula. I assume many breeds have this same set up, but it's obvious some breeds are using it to apply much more downward pressure to their maternal cow index than other breeds are. The data shows Hereford and Angus are now the two largest framed breeds in the US. Everyone behind the scenes knew how correlated mature size and yearling weight were, or at least they should have. I'm convinced most cow men did/do not understand this. I'm also convinced most do not realize they have to put significant effort into finding a maternal Angus bull these days. The terms moderate and maternal have been diluted to the point everyone claims that's what they own and if you don't actually know the names in the pedigree you're blindly trusting what the sale add and bobble head on the auction block is spouting. It might have something to do with why half the cow herds in the country are now operating at or below break even.
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Third time losers
