Advancements in Emerging Technologies
Seedstock Award Nominees Share Which Technologies Have Worked Best for Them
by Kasey Miller for Angus Productions Inc.
HOUSTON, Texas (April 19, 2012) — A few of the nation’s top seedstock operations shared the technologies that have proven most useful to their success with participants of the 44th Annual Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium and Annual Meeting in Houston April 18-21.
Wade Perks of Perks Ranch, Rockford, Ill.; Phil Goodson, Springfield Angus, Louisburg, N.C.; Rachel Cutrer, V8 Ranch, Boling, Texas; and Buster Hounshell, Hounshell Farms, Wythe County, Va., shared technologies that ranged from tried-and-true handling methods to cutting-edge tools that have emerged in recent years.
Perks and Cutrer both mentioned great recordkeeping as a means to their success. Cutrer said that they have records dating back to 1960, and actual performance records dating back to 1970. Perks said they use Genetic and Economical System (GEMS), an online system that allows ranch members to track records even when away from home.
Bull and replacement heifer selection was mentioned by all four seedstock leaders. Each ranch had their own specific selection criteria, but all used tools like pedigree, phenotype, performance data and expected progeny differences (EPDs) to help in the process.
Cutrer emphasized that V8 Ranch focuses on docility and superior female lines. “Our emphasis was, is and always will be the importance of productivity of cow families,” she said. V8 has strict requirements for their females to stay in the herd, such as calve unassisted, low birthweight (BW), and calves must get up and nurse on their own, and have a weaning weight index of 100 or higher. Uniformity, fleshing and good phenotype are also selection criteria for culling.
Goodson also had a list of strategic culling criteria, including EPDs, sound udders and sound on their feet and legs.
Hounshell mentioned using forages and conservation efforts to their advantage. They use improved pastures and rotational grazing, grow hay for wintering feeding and corn silage for backgrounding. They also use no-till practices and take advantage of Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs.
Cutrer mentioned that sales and marketing plans, including the use of social media, are integral to their success. These help gain customers and great customer service keeps them.
The four producers also talked about using private-treaty sales, and bull tests and sales. Hounshell hosts the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) bull test, and Cutrer said they have a bull development test adapted from Mississippi State University.
Several of the producers use ultrasound to gauge carcass qualities.
Perks explained their use of timed artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). Keys to success with these tools include committing to the protocol schedule; using reliable heat detection, like heat patches rather than observation; and keeping up with data management.
Goodson was an early adopter of many emerging technologies. In 2002, Springfield Angus calved two clones of SF Exacto. One of them resulted in the first registered Angus cloned bull. His farm also uses ultrasound to sex pregnancies, and they've started using in vitro fertilization with sexed semen. In 2010, Springfield Angus conducted an on-farm biopsy of embryos before implantation to screen for genetic defects.
Visit the Awards page to access short biographies of each of the nominees for Seedstock and Commercial Producer of the Year. Return to the Newsroom for links to the PowerPoints that accompanied these presentations.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API). Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
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