SG_USA_March_2022

Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Selection Indexes By Kari White, Ph.D., Genetic Evaluation Scientist, Genetic Prediction Group, Neogen

D oesn’t it seem like the world is moving fast lately? We all have so many things to do – cows to feed, kids to raise, jobs to work and houses to take care of. Some- times, it can seem like there simply aren’t enough hours in the week to get everything done, much less pour over 16 different expected progeny differ- enced (EPDs) on your breeding stock to decide what bull to use this year! If you live in a small community like I do, there is a store that serves as a one-stop shop for everything you need. Groceries, lightbulbs and socks can all be purchased in the same place without having to go to three different stores to get what you need. Too bad we don’t have anything like that in beef cattle genetics. Actually, you’re in luck. Santa Gertru- dis Breeders International (SGBI) offers selection index technology as part of their monthly genetic evaluation to give

SGBI Terminal Index: Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight, Ribeye Area, Marbling and Fat SGBI Balanced Index: Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Milk, Yearling Weight, Ribeye Area, Marbling, Fat, Scrotal, Breed Back and Heifer Pregnancy The indexes combine EPDs with economic weights into one number that predicts how profitable an animal is for all the traits combined, compared to its contemporaries. Indexes are easy to use because the units are in dollars, meaning that animals with higher index values have a higher profit potential. From a selection standpoint, indexes also offer more consistent genetic prog- ress compared to selecting for a single trait for a few years and a different trait for a few years. Index selection allows you to put steady selection on multiple traits at one time for greater consis- tency in your calf crop and more dollars in your pocket. It’s an animal breeding one-stop shop!

breeders a one-stop shop when it comes to selecting breeding stock. These indexes combine multiple EPDs into one number for easier selection in three different categories of traits: Cow/Calf , Terminal and Balanced . You can review the EPDs included in each index below: SGBI Cow/Calf Index: Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Milk, Scrotal, Breed Back and Heifer Pregnancy

Mr. C F Rosco Reserve National Champion Bull

2022 NATIONAL SANTA GERTRUDIS SHOW

CF Cattle Company and the Fuchs family are thankful for a tremendous year with Mr. CF Rosco 075. Congratulations to Logan Mason and family on exhibiting the 2021 National Junior Champion Santa Gertrudis Bull and now, the 2022 National Open Reserve Champion Bull.

CF CATTLE COMPANY Curtis & Kathy Fuchs (979) 251-0327

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SANTA GERTRUDIS USA