As spring calving is wrapping up, here’s some items you may to take into consideration.
The Allied Genetic Resources semen directory is available online and hard copies should be in mailboxes by next week.
Transfers
Ideally, transfers should be submitted within 60 days of the date of sale to avoid higher fees (depending on the Association, check out the February news to view transfer fees). If you would like me to complete the transfers from your sale(s) this spring, please send over the date of sale, animal, buyer information and if the animal is female, I’ll need to know if they were open/bred at time of sale.
Fall Calvers
Capturing mature cow weights, body condition scores (BCS) and/or hip heights (HH) within 45 days of weaning off the calves is ideal. It’s not necessary to weigh females every year but it’s desirable to have a few different weight measurements taken during their lifetime. Females should be weighed after they wean their first calf and then every 2-3 years following.
Even though BCS and HH scores are subjective, as long as the same individual is scoring all of the females for that given year, it allows for a comparisons to be made within the herd and is entered into the evaluation for a standardized assessment.
Weaning Weight data – make sure to forward over so we can ensure it is entered into the database along with removal codes for any animals that didn’t make it to weaning or were culled shortly after. If you need a list of removal/disposal codes for a specific Association, reach out.
Docility Scoring – animals can be scored at weaning, yearling time or both. It’s important for the scores to reflect differences in the cattle temperament. For example, if you turn in that all the evaluated animals scored as a 1 and there’s no variation in the data set, it’s not likely they were all equally as docile and that information holds no value in the evaluation of the group. In most cattle groups, there is always at least a few that are different than the others but use the 1-5 scoring scale to indicate within your herd the differences you see. As with all subjective measurements it is important to have the same individual(s) scoring all of the animals and not switch jobs halfway through.
Total Herd Enrollment/Total Herd Reporting fall inventory submissions will need to be turned in soon, I’ll be reaching out to you individually with your dam lists to update and more information.
Spring Calvers
Make sure to be collecting Allflex Tissue Sampling Units (TSU) samples on calves, either at birth, branding or first working. One of the most vital pieces of information is ensuring the correct ID is written down that corresponds to the TSU. Mis-Identification has become an issue and can lead to a variety of problems down the road so make sure to appoint a detail oriented individual(s) to this task.
If you need to order TSUs, give me a call and let’s coordinate.
The International Birth Year letter for 2023 is ‘L’. A full list is located here.
Simmental Members
Fall 2023 THE inventory opens April 15 and the deadline to early enroll is June 15, 2023. I will send out email communication if you have females on a Fall preliminary list along with instructions so we can get it updated on time.
Spring 2022 reporting – If you have not sent in the yearling weights and hip heights on replacement heifers, please do so. We can get everything registered and updated if they were not kept in the herd.
DNA on 2023 spring born calves, consider collecting samples on >90% of the males or females and you can participate in the Calf Crop Genomics project and receive GGP100K testing for $25.00/ea. Aim to have samples collected and submitted to ASA this summer so we can beat the rush next fall. Call with questions.
Red Angus Members
Spring 2022 No Progeny dam lists need to be updated by May 19. I will email out dams that did not have a calf reported so we can get these cleared up.
Note from Red Angus website:
Starting with the Spring 2022 Inactivations on May 26th, 2023, reactivation fees on females will increase to $50.00 if data is reported within 6 months from the inactivation date and $100.00 for data that is reported after 6 months from the inactivation date. Please note that any females that fall inactive on May 26th and any females that have been previously inactivated will be subject to the new fees. To avoid further reactivation fees, please report calf data for females on your Spring 2022 no progeny list by May 19th.
Fall Heifer Exposure reporting is due by April 26. If you have breeding records on replacement heifers it’s very useful information to begin submitting into the breed association database.
Angus Members
Phenotype data reporting continues to be a focal point, especially feet and leg scoring and docility. Angus University provides an opportunity to learn more about various subject matters.
Contemporary Groups are another hot button topic, make sure cattle are being placed into the correct groups when they are entered into the registry system. The way I think about a contemporary group is where the cattle have an equal opportunity to perform, environment wise. They go into depth in this video or if you would like a written format, let me know.
Hereford Members
Did you catch the March 2023 article about genomics in Hereford World? If not, check it out, page 36-37. Written by Dr. Jamie Courter, it discusses the importance of phenotype and genotype reporting, especially when it comes to the cow herd. With the rowing demand for Hereford genetics, you want to put yourself at the forefront of the genetic progress.
As always – reach out via email, text or phone for more information on any of the above information.
datageniellc.com 