Page 18 - MWC 10-26-2023s

A Business Case for Using EPDs The Midwest Cattleman · October 26, 2023 · P18

Three influential produc- service provider.”
ers from the United States Bennett emphasized that
and Canada came together seedstock producers must
for an impactful panel discus- “quantify the product we sell
sion on “A Business Case for to our commercial customer.
Using EPDs” during the 2023 We need to know what our
BIF Annual Symposium’s cattle can and can’t do for our
Advances in Producer Appli- customers.”
cations breakout session on Similarly, Brown said he
Tuesday, July 4. Dr. Darrh wants “as many tools [EPDs]
Bullock, University of Ken- as he can have in his toolbox
tucky, moderated the panel, to make the optimal breeding
which included Paul Bennett decision to deliver that prom-
from Knoll Crest Farm, Red ise to his customers.”
House, Virginia; Sean Mc- While each panelist under-
Grath of Round Rock Ranch- lined the importance of need-
ing, Vermilion, Alberta, Can- ing a diverse set of tools in
ada; and Donnell Brown, RA the form of EPDs, they also
Brown Ranch, Throckmor- underscored the challenge
ton, Texas. for their customers in inter- Donnell Brown, RA Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, TX; Sean McGrath of Round
Rock Ranching, Vermilion, Alberta, Canada; and Paul Bennett from Knoll Crest
The panelists were charged preting the full array of tools Farm, Red House, Virginia. (Photo - BIF)
with describing their philos- available now.
ophies on using expected Bennett commended breed ence – 10 minutes per year, that knowing the needs of
progeny differences (EPDs). associations for the job they per cow,” McGrath explained. each business and which
Brown referenced genetic have done in developing and His primary use of EPDs is traits should be focused on
trends over time, pointing optimizing selection indexes to match complementary ge- are important when discuss-
out, “If we want to talk about for commercial settings and netics that can handle their ing EPDs.
the case for EPDs, we don’t simplifying data analysis. He unique and harsh production Brown noted that today’s
have to look any further than said that Knoll Crest has al- environment. McGrath em- cattle have “big engines,
to look at genetic trends be- tered how they deliver EPD phasized that his ideal EPD sometimes bigger than our
fore and after EPDs; this information to their custom- profile may not be optimal production environments can
shows, without a doubt, that ers. for another ranch. He noted continued on page 25
EPDs work.” “We are careful in how we
Bennett discussed the present data to our custom-
collaborative relationship ers,” he explained. “Our cat-
between breed associations alogs have evolved over time,
and producers to generate and we’ve worked to optimize
high-quality selection tools. the data we put in front of Located 45 mi. SE of Kansas City, Mo on 58 Hwy. east at
“Genetic evaluations rely our customers to prevent in- Modern Kingsville Livestock Auction Center at Kingsville, MO
on clean, comprehensive formation overload.”
data. As a seedstock produc- McGrath also discussed
er, I am responsible for con- the importance of seedstock Make Plans To Attend Our Next
tributing the highest quality providers communicating to
data so that the EPD that their customers about which Special Cow & Bull Sale
comes out is as good as possi- index best fits their business
ble,” he said. plan.
All the panelists were The other central theme - Saturday, November 18th -
clear that EPDs help them panelists covered was how
move the needle on genetic EPD profiles are not one 11:00 am
improvement, but they’re ul- size fits all. McGrath talked
timately risk management about his operation’s unique
tools for commercial custom- breeding goals. In conjunction with
ers. McGrath summed this “I want to have a $1,000
up well, saying, “There is a gross margin per cow, elim- Show-Me-Select Bred Heifers
big difference between being inate cow herd depreciation
a bull seller and a seedstock and to do so without interfer-
On-Line Bidding available at

Four State Shorthorn Association Sale CATTLE USA.com

Saturday, November 11, 12 noon
T S White's Equine Center, Diamond, MO All Consigners & Buyers Welcome
SELLING:
SELLING: Call 816-597-3331 Office
2 serviceable aged bulls, 10 bred eable aged bulls, 10 bred
2 servic
heifers, 10 pairs, 7 bred cows,ers, 10 pairs, 7 bred cows, Rick, Jeremy or Jared Anstine
heif
12 spring sho 816-258-3421 • 816-716-9288 • 816-878-5229
12 spring show heifer prospectsw heifer prospects
Website: www.kingsvillelivestock.com • email: anstineauction@gmail.com
SALE SPONSOR: Four State Shorthorn Association SALE MANAGEMENT: Alden Auction
FOR A SALE BOOK CONTACT: Alden Auction, 816-465-0777, or ronalden1959@gmail.com