Page 6 - Southern Reds, Red Angus and South Poll - Bulls, Heifers – April 21, 2023

Coooperators Red Angus Guide to EPDS and Indexes

Quartermaster Farms Folmar Field & Farm A5 Cattle ProS ... Profi tability and Sustainability is HB ..... HerdBuilder is a maternal selection GM..... GridMaster is a selection index that

an all-purpose index that predicts average index that predicts the economic differences predicts the average economic difference of
economic differences in all segments in the of animals for traits that are important from non-replacement calves through the post-
beef supply chain. This index is a combination conception through weaning. Expressed weaning phase of production. GM places
of the breeding objectives modeled in the as dollars per head born, HB is calculated selection pressure on growth, feedyard
HerdBuilder and GridMaster selection indexes. based on the scenario that bulls are mated performance and carcass traits. Expressed as
In this index, replacement heifers are retained to heifers and cows, replacement heifers dollars per head born, GM is calculated based
from within the herd and all remaining are retained and all remaining progeny are on the scenario that progeny are fed out to
progeny are fed out to slaughter and sold on a marketed at weaning. Traits included in the slaughter and marketed on a quality-based
quality-based grid. Traits included in this index HB index include Calving Ease Direct, Calving carcass grid. Traits included in GM include
include calving ease, growth, HPG, STAY, Ease Maternal, Weaning Weight, Milk, Mature Average Daily Gain, Carcass Weight, Dry
Mature Weight, Dry Matter Intake and carcass Weight, Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability Matter Intake, Marbling, Back Fat and Rib Eye
traits. The resulting index is expressed in (Index/High Value). Area (Index/High Value).
dollars per head born (Index/High Value).
Quartermaster Farms is a family owned Folmar Field and Farm was established in We consider A5 Cattle to be our best
and operated seedstock producer in the 2020 in Talladega County, Alabama. Pete neighbors and some of our very best
mountains and foothills of North Carolina. and Tara live on the farm and run a cow/ friends. With their help, we share our
Justin Church and his family are passionate calf operation focused on grass genetic own red-hided corner of Cooke County. CED .......Calving Ease Direct predicts differences in the percent of calves born CEM ......Calving Ease Maternal predicts differences in the percent of daughters
about being faithful stewards of the land cattle. Southern Red Cattle dams make up Texas. Brenda Anderle operates the ranch unassisted out of 2-year-old dams. (Percent/High Value) who are able to calve unassisted as 2-year-old heifers. (Percent/High Value)
God has entrusted to their care and we the backbone of their operation and they along with her sons, Caleb & Evan, & BW ........Birth Weight predicts differences in actual birth weight of progeny. STAY......Stayability predicts differences in the ability of an animals’ retained
believe their cattle are a reflection of that. are complimented by both South Poll and daughter and son-in-law, Abby and Matt. (Pounds/Low Value) daughters to remain productive in the herd – calve every year – through 6
Their cattle are developed slow and steady Red Angus sires. Their focus is to produce A5 operates a herd of both registered and years of age. (Percent/High Value)
under a fescue dominated regenerative top quality seed stock for small family type seedstock cattle together on grass and we WW .......Weaning Weight predicts differences in 205-day weaning weight.
forage management program with zero producers and good slaughter cattle that have been blessed with the opportunity (Pounds/High Value) MARB ....Marbling predicts differences in marbling score – amount of
grain input so that customers can see what are easy fleshing and finish well in grass to provide them genetics for the last 5-6 YW ........Yearling Weight predicts differences in 365-day yearling weight. intramuscular fat measured at the 13th rib. (Marbling Score Units/High Value)
the cattle truly are. This approach puts only environments. Their herd winters on years, and we buy back bull calves to put in (Pounds/High Value) YG .........Yield Grade predicts differences in USDA Yield Grade, which is
substantial pressure on their cow-herd fescue every year and fescue makes up our program as often as we get the chance calculated using CW, REA and Fat. (Yield Grade Units/Low Value)
to perform with minimal input. They are a significant portion of the cool season because we know these cattle were ADG .......Average Daily Gain predicts differences in weight gain between 205
persuaded that the ideal cow for their en- grazing so their cattle have to be fescue developed in our environment. Without and 365 days of age. (Pounds/High Value) CW ........Carcass Weight predicts differences in actual hot carcass weight.
vironment is one who is moderately sized, tolerant, which is so important in many their help over the years, we would not be DMI .......Dry Matter Intake predicts differences in daily feed intake as measured (Pounds/High Value)
highly maternal – producing a calf every locations. Their goals are simple: to keep where we are as an operation as neighbors in a feedlot during the post-weaning period. (Pounds/Low Value) REA .......Ribeye Area predicts differences in square inches of ribeye area
calendar year with acceptable perfor- improving every facet of their farm as the are so important in this business. measured at the 13th rib.(Square Inches/High Value)
mance, slick haired with a red hide and has Lord provides the opportunity. Improving MILK .....Milk predicts differences in weaning weight attributed to the milking
the gut capacity to thrive on the available the cattle, their management, the forage ability of the animal’s daughters. (Pounds/High Value) FAT ........Fat predicts differences in the depth of backfat measured between the
forage. Justin and his family purchased and infrastructure. ME ........Maintenance Energy predicts the difference in maintence energy 12th and 13th ribs. (Inches/Low Value)
some of our foundational pieces in 2020 requirements. (Mcal per Month/Low Value)
and so we continue to work with he and
his family because they continue to place HPG .......Heifer Pregnancy predicts differences in the percent of daughters
environmental pressure cattle need to who are able to conceive and calve at 2 years of age following exposure to
make them improve. breeding. (Percent/High Value)

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