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BACK TO THE BASICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

cow-calf operations fall into this category.    SGBI Cow/Calf Index: This index assumes that producers are keeping replacement heifers from the bulls they purchase. However, it assumes all calves are marketed at weaning or soon thereafter. It further assumes that feeder calf buyers don’t base decisions on feedlot or carcass performance, making these traits less relevant to profitability. Many small to mid-sized herd operations fall into this category.    SGBI Terminal Index: This index assumes that producers are not  keeping replacement

seasoned veteran that are complex and give uncertainty for someone who just hasn’t had that experience yet. Whether this serves as a refresher for that vet- eran or provides some clarity for those to whom this information is new, it’s always good to remember the basics to enhance our ability to make breeding and management decisions.

thickness is the primary indicator of saleable product in the carcass and is also the primary factor affecting U.S. Department of Agriculture Yield Grades (YG). As fat thickness increases, the percentage of carcass retail product declines. Tenderness (TEND) EPDs predict the pounds of shear force (mechanical estimate of tenderness) needed to cut a steak. Indexes are tools used to select for several traits at once based on specific breeding objectives. An index takes into account individual traits, as well as the relationships between these differ- ent traits. Indexes are meant to provide simplicity and convenience for com- mercial buyers needing a multi-trait approach to purchasing animals.    SGBI Balanced Index: This index assumes that producers are

JUNIOR LETTER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 available on the SGBI Facebook page

and on the SGBI website at https://santagertrudis.com/

member-resources/video-resources. I hope that this year’s show season isn’t disrupted any further and we will come back even stronger than ever after this crisis. I look forward to attending (either virtually or in-person) several of the sales and shows that will be available across the East this fall. I enjoy meeting breeders at the sales and miss the local jackpots, but I know this too shall pass. I hope everyone has a great school year and fall, and hope to see you on the road.

heifers from the bulls they purchase. It assumes that producers are marketing carcasses on the grid, making carcass traits relevant to their business.

Selection indexes will be reported as a percentile ranking (top 1 percent – bottom 99 percent). More than once, I have sat dumb- founded trying to remember how to spell a word that I am sure I learned in the third grade. At the same time, there are seemingly simple tasks for a

keeping replacement heifers from the bulls they purchase. It further assumes that producers are 1) marketing carcasses on the grid; or 2) that buyers of their feeder calves base pricing on feedlot and carcass performance. Most large

Haltered Heifer Show & Sale

Offering EarlyPlanning Equals Success!

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