Page 4 - Spitzer Ranch Profit Maker Online Brangus Bull Sale – October 3, 2020

2020 Profi t Maker Bull Sale – Profi table Genetics from Performance Cattlemen

GENOMICALLY ENHANCED-EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCES (GE-EPD) CALVING-EASE BULLS
Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) values are exactly what the term implies. If Over the years we have become more and more conservative on “Calv-
two bulls are used on a uniform group of cows, the progeny are expected to have ing Ease Bulls” for use on heifers. We have adopted the philosophy
differences in average performance relative to the EPD values for the two bulls that it is better for us to have stricter guidelines than for you to be sorry
for whatever trait of interest. EXAMPLE: If one bull has BW EPD of 2.0 pounds at calving time. That is why we developed our Starr System to give
and another bull has BW EPD of -1.5 pounds then the expected average BW of guidance in selecting those easy calving bulls for use on heifers. This
the resulting calves will differ by 3.5 pounds. Since EPD are reported in accepted system assigns from 0 or no stars to 5-Stars based on “cowboy logic”
units of measure (pounds, centimeters, percentage, etc.) this example holds for and our assessment of the science behind BW and CED EPD as well as
each EPD. The EPD value includes the phenotypic performance of the individual adjusted BW and that bull having been born with no assistance. What
as well as all phenotypes on relatives (sire, dam, grandparents, sisters, brothers, we used to FLAG as a Calving Ease Bull would be a 3-Star bull in our
cousins and so forth – every relative in the database). Volumes of research have current system and would be recommended to be a Superior Calving
proven EPD are good predictors of differences among bulls for genetic merit. In Ease bull for breeding well developed heifers. However, we now desig-
short, bull selection based on EPD are many times more effective and accurate nate 4-Star Elite Calving Ease bulls and 5-Star Ultimate Calving Ease
than selection based on any single phenotypic measure. bulls as even lower risk for calving problems.

Today however, that is not enough. With the advent of DNA testing we now com- Obviously, there are no guarantees for preventing difficult births in heif-
bine the traditional EPD with the genomic testing to generate GE-EPD. Genom- ers. Even the most proven “Calving Ease Bulls” of any breed will sire a
ic-Enhanced EPD are far more accurate than the EPD of old. Those GE-EPD pro- large calf every so often. However, this information is meant to serve as

vide you (and us) with the same amount of information as if we had 10-20 calves a guide for managing risk of calving difficulty in your first-calf females.
(depending on exactly which trait) already on the ground and in the Brangus Our goal is to help you eliminate heifer calving problems to the best of
Database system. Yes, we can see his value as a parent before the calves are our ability.
born! How neat is that?
BUT, lets get real on calving ease! Our 3-Star, 4-Star and 5-Star bulls
Adding the genomics drastically reduces your chances of purchasing the wrong are meant to be used to breed virgin yearling heifers such that they will
bull on sale day. The GE-EPD is considerably more accurate than the traditional have little to no calving problems with their first calf. All other bulls with

EPD by itself. AND, orders of magnitude more accurate than any of the individual 0-Stars, 1-Star or 2-Stars are very appropriate to use on cows that have
weights and measures with which many people try to confuse you. As Brangus already had at least one calf. Brangus and Ultrablack have an excellent
Seedstock Producers desiring to be your bull supplier for the long haul, Spitzer reputation for siring the right sized calf and there are almost no bulls
Ranch is adamant about GE-EPD being your best tool in bull selection. We look in these breeds that cannot be used on mature cows with no calving

at it as customer service when we can provide you with better information on the difficulties. In fact, because the general correlation between size at birth
bulls in our sales. In our minds, genomic testing allows us to market cattle with and growth is extremely high, you may be losing growth (weaning and
more integrity because the genetic predictions are so much more accurate on yearling weight) if you use extreme calving ease bulls on mature cows.
young animals or those with few progeny records.
In general, choose bulls with a ranking of 3-Stars and above on virgin
Besides that, it reduces the risk that the bull you buy does not live up to your yearling heifers for their first breeding. Use any of the other bulls on ma-

expectations when he was purchased. Not only can you be more comfortable ture cows in your herd. You do not need to pay extra for an easy-calving,
with your purchasing decision, we can be more confi dent that we provided to you low birthweight bull when it is not necessary to do so. On the other
the absolute best data we can on how that bull will perform as the male parent hand, a “Calving-Ease Bull” to breed yearling heifers can be a God send.
of your next calf crop. We passionately believe it answers the question: “How
can we provide the most valuable and unbiased information to sell our bull’s SPITZER RANCH, LLC HAS BEEN SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS SINCE 1982
genetics to the right buyer?” We are committed to you as a customer and deliver service with each sale.
When you purchase a bull from Spitzer Ranch, we recognize that as an in-
FOR THE DIEHARDS. We do give the Brangus Association registration number vestment on your part and you can become aligned to our program with
on each animal. If you just cannot help yourself, you can look the bull up on the an option to become part of our future sales. You will automatically have
Brangus website and see the individual weights. They mean truly little, but we access to current EPD on your bull purchases through contacting us at any
sure do not try to hide data. time for the most current information. We also offer free consulting services
Every bull in this catalog has GE-EPD, meaning their EPD are based on all on both bull selection as well as establishing a PLANNED CROSSBREEDING

available data PLUS a DNA profile and bulls are additionally parent verified. SYSTEM using Brangus Genetics to add heterosis and profitability to your

The Brangus association computes EPD monthly and these were retrieved from cow herd. Additionally, females sired by those bulls become candidates to
the AUG 2020 run. return as part of our Customer Commercial Brangus Female Sales which we
are planning for in future years at your request. We pledge to conduct our
We have additionally separated the GE-EPD Table into the two components of business in a manner that demands providing only the best in genetics and
traits expressed in CALVES SIRED BY AN INDIVIDUAL BULL and those expressed services that make you a repeat customer. We definitely provide VALUE

by DAUGHTERS OF AN INDIVIDUAL BULL. ADDED GENETICS and strive to provide VALUE ADDED SERVICE.
4– Spitzer Ranch