Background
Fads, Trends and Numbers are all major contributors to the fact that we, as Angus Seed stock providers are constantly on the lookout for “New” sires to produce bulls that will appeal to and be purchased by, the commercial cow calf operator. For example, currently Team Dulverton is on the lookout in the USA, for a potential young sire with the Igenity Beef Profile data that supports the Teams goals. The handful of youngsters identified with superior Value Determining Indexes (VDI) including trait improving scores for Stay ability/longevity and RFI, lacked sustainable structural soundness, we did not purchase.
The Team cannot afford to use sires who will downgrade/reduce structural soundness. Structural soundness is the major contributor to a young sires ability to remain in the herd producing pregnancies for the Teams nominated goal of four years.
There is no doubt one of the “drivers” for the commercial beef producers profitability is the contribution of the sires to the cost of producing a pregnancy.
Consider the following example
| BULL AGE | No. of Cows Bred/Year | Pregnancy Rate % | No. of Pregnancies Produced | $ Cost per Pregnancy |
| 2 Yrs. | 40 | 90 | 36 = 36 | $334 |
| 3 Yrs. | 50 | 94 | 36 + 47 = 83 | $145 |
| 4 Yrs. | 50 | 94 | 36 + 47 + 47 = 130 | $92 |
| 5 Yrs. | 50 | 94 | 36 + 47 + 47 + 47 = 177 | $68 |
*Assume the Two Year Old Bull valued at last years Dulverton Sale Average $12K
This table definitely illustrates how important it is for Team Dulverton to achieve their goal of setting out to ensure that Dulverton Sale Bulls are capable of “Lasting” Three and Four Breeding seasons. Note the huge difference in cost per pregnancy if a Bull is only able to last one season (36 pregnancies) versus a bull who can breed for four (4) seasons and so produce 177 pregnancies over his working life.
Improving the Working Life of Your (The Teams potential clients) Sire Battery
Longevity has been and continues to be a priority amongst The Selection Traits at Dulverton, consider the Mandy’s from a “bygone era” Q43 17 progeny; S124 15 progeny and T102 14 progeny. The Mandy’s longevity is nothing short of outstanding, they provide a great platform for The Team in its quest to ensure as many Bulls sold from Dulverton can achieve at least a three year working life.
In late July each year The Team goes through the process of selecting ten to a dozen Yearlings and feeds them along so that they reach the “Joinable Weight” target of 500 to 520kg. by the start of the joining season in October. This year the ten selected Yearlings sell as lots one through ten in the catalogue.
Heifer Bulls
The intention is to select at least three Yearlings born as early as possible and unassisted from a first calf heifer (“S”s). No calf born at Dulverton that has to be assisted is retained as a Bull or a “Future Breeder”). These youngsters are used to follow the A.I. in the heifer mobs.
The Team will Profile a couple of these Heifer Bulls over the ensuing month. For example Lot 1 U025 (VDI 71.5)and Lot 3 U017 (VDI 67.5).
Cow Bulls
The Team does also need a Yearling or two to “fill in gaps” amongst the cow breeding mobs. The Yearling selected for that task last spring was Lot 2 U156, we will definitely Profile U156 (VDI 69.5).
Longevity is a priority when making the choice as to which yearlings should be singled out as potential Cow Bulls. Lot 2’s dam D. Dell G027 was 12 when she gave birth to him; Lot 6’s dam D. Pixie J189 was 10 and Lot 7’s dam D. Quinte F017 was 13. Plenty of proven Longevity amongst that trio.
The Team acknowledges the contribution these wonderful “Ole Matrons” have made and in G027 and J189’s case will continue to make, in producing future individuals with a greater chance of fulfilling the goal. That being the Team providing you, our valued clients with as many sires as possible capable of producing those 130 to 177 pregnancies during their working life of 3 to 4 years.
The Igenity Beef Profile (IBP) Assisting Team Dulverton Improve Genetic Longevity
Fortunately we have been able to engage the Igenity Beef Profile to assist us select for this all important trait in Longevity. IBP refer to the Trait as Stayability.
The Team is aware that you may have thought they had gone “Bonkers” using a bull over cows (U156),who ranks in the bottom 9% for both Breed plan published Indexes. The Team was aware. However, the intention is to use a son out of a matron who has stood the test of time (G027 was 12 when she produced U156) and one with the genetic capability of improving Stay ability. U156 records an 8 (top 8%) for Stay ability. Both U225 (Lot 6) and U189 (Lot 7) record 7’s (top 23%) for Stay ability, their dams were 10 and 13 respectively when they produced these two super Stay improvers.
It has been brought to the Teams attention by IGS/Igenity that daughters sired by Sires registering 7’s for Stay ability (Top 25%), will produce Two (2) more daughters in their Lifetime than Sires registering 5’s for Stay ability (Bottom 25%).
Longevity/Stayability a Trait definitely worthy of consideration in The Breeding Program.
Team Dulverton are totally committed, twenty five percentage points (25%) are allocated to Stay ability in their Value Determining Index (VDI).
The more pregnancies achieved by Dulverton Bulls for their clients the less expensive that sire is to the client and the more profitable that clients enterprise will be.
