PrimeTime spring 2018

blood Akaushi bulls will be 15/16 (93.75 per- cent) and considered a purebred Akaushi. At each level of this program, the

AKAUSHI MATTERS Continued from page 8

Akaushi genetics into your breeding pro- gram. There are differences in the programs though. The A4 program allows you to breed up to purebred status in four generations by using fullblood Akaushi bulls on each generation. Start with your existing com- mercial cow herd to produce halfblood calves. You will love these calves; they are healthy and hardy. They tend to mimic the dam’s visual traits, but the carcass traits are greatly increased. The rule of thumb is that using an Akaushi bull will double the grade and improve the yield in just one generation. How is that for increasing the quality and consistency of beef! You have the option to stop at the first generation and market all of the calves for a premium, or retain your heifers and breed them back to Akaushi to produce a 3/4 calf. The higher the percentage of Akaushi, the higher the carcass quality will be. The next generation will be 7/8 Akaushi, and these heifers bred to full- 1/4 Vertical, 4 color Prime Time Landair Winter 2018

calves must be parent verified through DNA testing. There is a $12 certification fee for each upgraded calf. The purebred (15/16) males and females will need to be in- spected to determine breed conformity. In- spections can be done one of two ways: by a representative of the American Akaushi

Photo from Dove Creek Wagyu Cattle Company, Mountain Grove, Mo.

Association or by submitting photographs of the front, back and both sides of the animal as well as a photo of their perma- nent ID – either the brand or tattoo. If the animals are inspected in person, travel expenses could apply. All certified ani- mals will receive a Certificate of Breeding, which indicates the percentage of Akaushi. The GridMax program is different in that you can use the Akaushi genetics on the male or female side to produce a percent- age-blood calf. Now you can retain your Akaushi percentage-blood bulls in your breeding programs but not be locked in to a certain percentage. This will be very useful in creating the three-way composite that is so popular in today’s beef industry. Keep in mind that in order for the calves to be eligible for the Certified Akaushi Beef program, they must be 46.875 percent Akaushi. The difference is that you have a lot of options to get to that percentage. Non-Akaushi cattle enrolled in this pro- gram must be certified by their breed as- sociation. Akaushi genetics will still be verified through DNA testing. Certification at each level will be $12. Purebred require- ments are the same as in the A4 Advantage Program. Both of these programs were designed to add value to your herd by using Akaushi genetics. Give them a try. For more infor- mation go to www.akaushi.com and click on Programs. PT

Landair, Inc. Beeville, Texas CUSTOM CATTLE PRECONDITIONING Bull and Heifer Development Programs Corn silage-based growing rations for stocker/feeders calves and for seedstock bull and heifer calf development. • Prepare your stocker cattle for turnout of the feedyard! • Prepare your replacement heifers for breeding and /or special sales! • Prepare your seedstock bulls for the commercial cattleman or for the special sale ring! • Private treaty sales at the ranch! • Tailor-made programs to fit your needs – BIG or SMALL! • We now offer PI (Persistently Infected) testing upon request! Let us do what we are good at – FOR YOU!

Brown Ranches has been in operation in South Texas since 1924. Five generations of the Austin Brown family have worked very hard to be the best stewards of the land and livestock that have been so graciously entrusted to us. Landair, Inc. 2050 Brown Ranch Lane ● Beeville, Texas Austin Brown III: 361-597-0373 (cell) Ranch Office: 361-358-1093 aebrown70@gmail.com www.brownranchgroup.com Photo courtesyofRossHecox,WesternHorseman Proud supportersof the BeefCheckoff and TexasBeefCouncil.

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