Performance Tips, Topics and Trails

Vol. 13, No.1

www.albcia.com

May 2009

Quarterly newsletter published by Alabama BCIA, whose mission is to promote, educate and facilitate the use of performance data, record keeping and marketing opportunities for BCIA members, while providing a leadership role to improve the Alabama cattle industry.

Alabama BCIA

Plans Set for 2009-10 Alabama BCIA Sales!

President: Randy Moody, New Market
Vice-President: Johnny Morrow, Tuscaloosa
Secretary: Michelle Elmore, Clanton
Treasurer: James Cates, Columbiana
Board Members
Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery
Dr. Wayne Greene, Auburn
Dr. Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Auburn
Dr. Paul Mask, Auburn
Brenda Glover, Greensboro
Sam Wiggins, Carrollton
Perry Mobley, Montgomery
Tim Tucker, Uriah
Dr. Billy Powell, Montgomery
Al Golden, Notasulga
Damion McLemore, Danville
Rusty Graydon, Montgomery
John Bambarger, Northport
Win Parmer, Selma
Donny Stephens, Marion Junction
Jack Tate, Boaz
Linda Newman, Banks
Ex-Officio Board Members
Tommy Brown, Clanton
Publication
Managing Editor: Michelle Elmore

The Alabama BCIA has finalized plans for the 2009-10 evaluation and sale season. A call for nominations for the AL BCIA bull evaluation is being issued to AL BCIA members and all interested seedstock producers. Performance evaluations provide a uniform environment to develop, evaluate, and market bull calves and the genetics they reflect. Bull evaluations provide an excellent opportunity for breeders to display the genetics in their breeding programs, compare sires, and obtain performance data that is difficult to measure on the farm. AL BCIA bull evaluation sales present complete performance data featuring all evaluation gain data, carcass ultrasound, and breeding soundness exams on all bulls offered for sale.
The North Alabama Bull Evaluation held on the Donaldson Farm in Cullman is currently in its 37th year, having been established in 1972. The 2009 North Alabama Bull Evaluation will evaluate bulls born between August 15, 2008 through October 31, 2008 to be nominated by June 9, 2009. Bulls will be delivered to Donaldson Farms on July 14, 2009 and will be offered for sale on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Cullman Stockyards at 11 am. Bulls are managed and evaluated in outside paddocks located on steep inclines making for strong physical condition.
The Fall Round Up Bull Sale, which will be in its 14th year, will be held on Friday, November 13 at the Alabama Livestock Auction in Uniontown at 11 am. Nominations for bulls born from March 1, 2006 to May 31, 2008 will be sought to market 3 1/2 years to 16 month old bulls. The nomination deadline will be August 15, 2009.
The 21st Annual EPD Bull Sale will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010. The age range for the EPD Sale will include bulls born from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 to market 25 month to 14 month old bulls. Weight per day of age (WDA) requirements will range from 2.0 to 2.5 lbs. depending on birth date of the bull. The EPD Sale location will be at the Montgomery Stockyards in Montgomery. The nomination deadline will be November 1, 2009.
Plans have also been set for the 2009-10 BCIA heifer sales. The Herdbuilder Replacement Female Sale will be held on Friday, August 28 at 11 am at the Alabama Livestock Auction in Uniontown. Bred heifers, open heifers, and a select group of cows with BCIA data will be sold. A new BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale will be held in conjunction with the North Alabama Bull Evaluation Center Sale on Saturday, December 12 at 11 am at Cullman Stockyards. BCIA Genetic Verified Commercial Heifer Sales will also be held at the Fall Round Up and EPD Bull Sales. These sales will target open and also bred heifers with genetic documentation, group age, and source information. See page 5 for more information.

Continued on Page 3!

Alabama Travels…
Michelle Elmore

It is that time again for my yearly prodding for BCIA members to follow the BCIA principles of weighing your calves and reporting your data to your Extension agent or to the BCIA Office to process your Red Wing records!! Weaning time is a pinnacle of the BCIA year, for it is the time that our producers evaluate their calf crop and cow herds. I cannot stress enough the importance of turning in your records to take full advantage of BCIA and the information it can provide to your operation.
Within a tough economy, maintaining performance records is even more crucial. Why does it make sense to retain a cow or bull in the herd that is not performing up to par? BCIA records identify these cull animals. BCIA members are also using their records to market their calves, either through replacement heifer sales, board sales or direct marketing. Having BCIA records has opened doors for our commercial members who utilize our record keeping services and they can for you, too!
BCIA commercial heifer sales continue to offer producers with economically viable marketing avenues to net more dollars for replacement heifers as compared to feeder heifers. For the past 2 years, BCIA replacement heifer sales have resulted in more net dollars per head on average as compared to feeder heifers sold in state board sales. Specific BCIA sales have returned a range of $53 to over $200 more per heifer marketing replacement heifers. So review the BCIA heifer sale opportunities in this newsletter.
It is also that time of year for purebred producers to sit down and design a plan for evaluating and marketing this year’s bull crop. This is best done early to design your strategy to take full advantage of the BCIA bull evaluation and consignment sales planned for the fall and winter months. Read through this newsletter for the evaluation and marketing opportunities available to you.
BCIA has many opportunities to offer to you. These opportunities include a bull evaluation based on feed performance, consignment bull sales, replacement heifer sales, and a source of educational information, especially in performance record keeping and marketing. Our organization has a strong 45 year history in the state, where many purebred producers, such as yourself, have built their genetic and marketing programs to a highly successful level through membership in Alabama BCIA.
Which brings me to a new educational program that BCIA has recently launched that I am very excited to offer. The Alabama Seedstock Continuing Education Program was developed to provide educational instruction and resources for seedstock producers to improve their operations. This program is designed to provide tools to seedstock producers of all size operations and breeds. The program will provide great benefit to producers establishing businesses and for established producers who want to improve aspects of their business. BCIA is welcoming all seedstock producers. Membership in BCIA is not a requirement and the program is for producers of all herd sizes and breeds. So help us spread the word to your fellow seedstock producers and friends.
The Seedstock Continuing Educational Program will feature a educational manual of resources in 8 sections, which include the following: 1) Introduction 2) Business Goal Setting 3) Marketing and Market Positioning 4) Physical Aspects and Carcass Data 5) EPDs and Performance Data 6) Management 7) Reproduction 8) Health. The manual is available for review on our website www.albcia.com divided by section for easy browsing. Hard copies of this educational manual are also available upon request for a designated fee. Regional field days will be scheduled for late summer and fall at breeder's operations to have speakers discuss selected topics. Invitations will be distributed regionally to welcome all seedstock producers to attend. See page 8 for more information!
Remember, your seedstock operation is a reflection of your vision and initiative. Plan thoroughly and investigate your industry. Investigate to learn and remain current in performance data elements, trends and goals of your breed, and in the needs of your customers. Plan ahead on how you will evaluate the performance traits in your genetics to meet the goals of your breed, your industry and for your customer. BCIA is a great resource to do this! You will find detailed information in this newsletter.
Michelle

How to contact BCIA:
Mail: 40 County Road 756, Clanton, AL 35045
Phone: (205) 646-0115 Fax: (205) 646-3607
Email: elmormf@auburn.edu
kbw0005@auburn.edu
Website: www.albcia.com

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Inside:
Alabama Travels with Michelle Elmore……..2
BCIA News and Dates to Remember……….3
2009-10 BCIA Bull Sale Information 4
BCIA Continues New Genetic Verified Heifer Sales 5
2009-10 BCIA Heifer Sale Information 5
2008 NABEC & 2009 EPD Sales 6
Commercial/Purebred Producers of the Year 7
Richard Deese Award 7
Outstanding Extension Agent 8
BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program 8

DATES TO REMEMBER

BCIA news

Plans for the 2009-10 BCIA Sale Season have been completed!! Please see page 4 for bull sales and page 5 for heifer sales available.
The BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program has been debuted! See page 8 for more information

2009-10 BCIA Sale Plans Set Continued From Page 1

Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation Contribution Form
Please Select and Mark Your Level of Contribution
_______ ALBCIF Visionary $10,000 +
_______ ALBCIF Benefactor $5,000-10,000
_______ALBCIF Builder $2,500-5,000
_______ ALBCIF Patron $1,000-2,500
_______ ALBCIF Pacesetter $500-1,000
_______ ALBCIF Associate $250-500
_______ ALBCIF Partner $100-250
_______ ALBCIF Friend $1-100
Name:________________________________________________
Farm Name:___________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________
City:______________________ State:______Zip:____________
Amount Contributed:___________________________________
Please make all checks payable to the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation, Inc. and mail to ALBCIF, 40 County Rd 756, Clanton, AL 35045.

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June
16 Nomination deadline for NABEC Bull Evaluation
July
14 Delivery for NABEC 2009, Cullman
28 BCIA Board of Directors Meeting, Clanton
August
15 Nomination deadline for 2009 Fall Round Up Sale
28 Herd Builder Replacement Heifer Sale. 11 AM, Uniontown
November
1 Nomination deadline for 2010 EPD Sale
13 Fall Round Up Bull and BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale. 11 a.m., Uniontown
December
12 North Alabama Bull Evaluation Center and BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale. 11 AM, Cullman
February
12-13 Alabama Cattlemen’s Convention & Trade Show and BCIA Annual Meeting, Huntsville
26 EPD Bull and BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale. 11 AM, Montgomery

Fund raising for the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation (ALBCIF) continues! The first year fund-raising goal of $5,000.00 was almost met by raising a yearly total of $4,767.72! The board of directors of the ALBCIF would like to extend much gratitude to all contributors for helping push to our goal!
The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation, Inc. is committed to improving the quality of the beef cattle industry, through the use of science-based research and technology. For more information or to contribute, please use this contribution form, contact Michelle Elmore or a ALBCIF board member! Stay tuned to Performance Tips, Topics, & Trails for upcoming ALBCIF events & updates!

The Alabama BCIA executive committee has undergone its annual shift. The new BCIA president for 2009-10 is former vice-president Randy Moody of New Market as a purebred representative. Johnny Morrow of Tuscaloosa has moved to vice president as a commercial representative, and the new treasurer is James Cates of Columbiana as a commercial representative.
The Board of Directors also has some new faces. Linda Newman of Banks has begun a term as a commercial representative and also Jack Tate of Boaz as a purebred representative. Last year, the board of directors worked to increase the number of producers on the board. Two new at-large board member positions were filled by Win Parmer of Selma and by Donny Stephens of Marion Junction. A new producer representative, Al Golden of Notasulga, from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association also joined the board last fall.

New Faces and Officers of the BCIA Board!

Fall Round Up
Friday, November 13, 2009
11 AM
11:00 am

North Alabama
Saturday, December 12, 2009
11:00 a.m.

EPD
Friday, February 26, 2010
11:00 AM

Test/Sale	Test Type	Age Group	WDA* / Requirement	Nomination Deadline	Delivery	Sale Date	Sale Site
North AL1	Full Feed	8/15/08 – 10/31/08	2.5	6/16/09	7/14/09	12/12/09	Cullman
Fall Round Up Sale2	On-Farm	3/1/06- 5/31/08	2.0 / read rules	8/15/09	11/12/09	11/13/09	Uniontown
EPD Sale2	On-Farm	01/01/08-12/31/08	2.0-2.5 read rules	11/1/09	2/25/10	2/26/10	Montgomery

For Information contact:
1. Gerry Thompson, Regional Extension Agent-Northwest AL, (256) 353-8702, thompgl@auburn.edu.
2. Michelle Elmore, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Improvement, (205) 646-0115, elmormf@auburn.edu

* WDA=Weight Per Day of Age

A Locally-produced, Locally-marketed Beef Field Day and Conference will be held on July 30-31, 2009 at the E. V. Smith Research and Extension Center in Shorter and at the Lambert-Powell Meats Lab on campus at Auburn University. The event will be hosted by Auburn University Departments of Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. The tentative schedule will include viewing steers on 3 summer annual forages, forage technology, and providing nutrition in tough times. The current USDA label regulations will be discussed, as well as, the impact of diet on meat quality. The development and tasting of new products is a topic for interactive instruction. The economics of producing locally will be featured to assist attendees in planning for their businesses. Instruction will also be available on how to connect the producer with the consumer in the area of marketing. Alabama’s own Alabama A+ Program will be featured by Commissioner Ron Sparks.
The event is hosted by Dr. Chris Kerth from the Auburn Department of Animal Sciences and Dr. Walt Prevatt from the Department of Agricultural Economics. Funding for this event will be provided by USDA-SARE and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. For more information, contact Dr. Chris Kerth at (334) 844-1503 or kerthcr@auburn.edu.

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Alabama BCIA Continues New Genetic Verified Heifer Sales!

Alabama BCIA would like to continue to offer a new marketing opportunity to its members and cattle producers across the state with the BCIA Genetic Verified Commercial Heifer Sales. The sales will target open and also bred heifers with genetic documentation, group age, and source information. Sale dates for the 2009-10 BCIA sale season will be Friday, November 13 at the Alabama Livestock Auction in Uniontown to be held along with the 2009 Fall Round Up Bull Sale, a new sale to be held on Saturday, December 12 at the Cullman Stockyards to be held along with the 2009 North Alabama Bull Evaluation Sale, and on Friday, February 26 at Montgomery Stockyards in Montgomery to be held along with the 2010 EPD Bull Sale. The November Genetic Verified Commercial Heifer Sale will feature both open and bred heifers, while the sales held in December and February will feature open heifers.
Heifers must be sired by a properly registered bull that is transferred to the owner of the heifers. The registration number of the bull or bulls must be provided at consignment to the sale. For bred heifers, a properly registered service sire is also required by providing a registration number. Allowance for breeding systems using artificial insemination, leased bulls, and heifer calves resulting from the purchase of a bred heifer will be permissible with documentation. Groups of heifers are encouraged for consignment, but singles will not be excluded. Heifers should be vaccinated and boostered for 7-way blackleg (Clostridial diseases), 5-way Leptospirosis, and IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV (respiratory complex). All open heifers must also be weaned at least 30 days prior to the sale and must have an average minimum weight per day of age (WDA) of 1.5 lbs. Open heifers will be guaranteed open, and bred heifers will be guaranteed bred (at a minimum of 60 days) at the sale with documentation from a veterinarian at delivery. Bred heifers must also have an average minimum weight of 850 lbs. All heifers must have never been implanted with any growth stimulants.
The BCIA Genetic Verified Commercial Heifer Sales will provide Alabama cattle producers an avenue to expand their marketing of replacement heifers with genetic verification. It is another opportunity offered by Alabama BCIA to expand our mission of serving our members and the state beef cattle industry. For purebred members, it is a great resource for extending customer service for your customers! For commercial members, it is another great marketing outlet! For more information, please contact Michelle Elmore, Extension Animal Scientist/Beef Cattle Improvement, at (205) 646-0115 or elmormf@auburn.edu.

North Alabama
December 12, 2009
11:00 am *BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale*

Herd Builder –August 28, 2009, 11am
Fall Round Up- November 13, 2009, 11:00 am
*BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale*

EPD Sale
February 26, 2010
11:00 AM
*BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale*

Sale Name	Age Group	Date	Location	Time	Heifer Type	Call
Herd Builder	8 mos to 7 yrs	8/28/09	Uniontown	11:00 am	Bred/Open/Cows	1
Fall Round Up	BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale	11/13/09	Uniontown	11:00 am	Open/Bred	2
North Alabama	BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale	12/12/09	Cullman	11:00 am	Open	2
EPD	BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale	2/26/10	Montgomery	11:00 am	Open	2
1. Kevan Tucker, West Alabama Regional Extension, 251-275-3121; tuckejk@auburn.edu / 2. Michelle Elmore, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef Cattle Improvement, 205-646-0115, elmormf@auburn.edu

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Overall Bull Average $1,972
Total Head: 58 Bulls
Total Sale Gross $114,350
Angus Average on 37 bulls @ $1,989
Hereford Average on 4 bulls @ $1,388
Simmental Average on 11 bulls @ $2,155
Simmental Composite Average on 6 bulls @ $1,921
Top Selling Bulls:
Angus—Lot 9 consigned by Harrell’s Highlander Ranch for $3,600
Hereford– Lot 48 consigned by Tennessee River Music for $1,800
Simmental—Lot 58 consigned by Triple M Farms for $3,100
Simmental Composite—Lot 65
consigned by Little Mountain Farm for $2,750
Volume Buyers: Jay Holloway of H & H Cattle & Properties in Vinemont and Garry Rowland of Rowland Farms in Jasper

Overall Bull Average $1,822
Total Head: 36 Bulls
Total Sale Gross $81,675
Angus Average on 15 bulls @ $2,037
Brangus Average on 3 bulls @ $1,633
Charolais Average on 4 bulls @ $1,725
Hereford Average on 3 bulls @ $983
MaineTainer Average on 1 Bull @ $1,600
Simmental Average on 10 bulls @ $1,870
Open Heifer Average on 22 heifers @ $778
Top Selling Lots:
Angus—Lot 2 consigned by
Auburn University for $3,000
Brangus—Lot 22 consigned by CF Brangus for $2,000
Charolais– Lot 26 consigned by Foust Charolais for $2,200
Hereford– Lot 30 consigned by Locke & Carter St. John for $1,100
MaineTainer—Lot 32 consigned by C & F Farms for $1,600
Simmental—Lot 38 consigned by The Manger for $2,650
Heifer—Lot 51 consigned by Atchison Farms for $975

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The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) recently named the 2008 Commercial Producer of the Year during their Annual Meeting and Awards Program held in conjunction with the 66th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting in Montgomery on February 14.
Donny and Pat Stephens of Stephens Farm, Inc. in Marion Junction were named the 2008 Alabama BCIA Commercial Producer of the Year. Stephens Farm has been producing beef cattle since 1957, and at present, the herd consists of 122 Angus and SimAngus cross cows grazing 500 acres of pasture and with areas of planted trees for wildlife and shade. Feeder calves are marketed each July through the Alabama Feeder Calf Marketing Association. Stephens Farm also participates in the Alabama Beef Connection and the Southeastern Livestock Network for process verification. Replacement heifers failing to breed and cull feeder steers are fed out on the farm in the “Stephens Farm Freezer Beef Program” started by Donny’s father in the early 1980s. Performance records are submitted yearly to the Alabama BCIA for processing through the Red Wing Cow/Calf program. Stephens Farm was nominated for this honor by the Dallas County Farmers Federation. Stephens Farm was also nominated by the Alabama BCIA for the Beef Improvement Federation’s Outstanding Commercial Producer of the Year Award.

The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) recently named the 2008 Purebred of the Year during their Annual Meeting and Awards Program held in conjunction with the 66th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting in Montgomery on February 14.
Wendell, Nan, and Doug Gibbs of Gibbs Farms in Ranburne, Alabama were named the 2008 Alabama BCIA Purebred Producer of the Year. Gibbs Farms is a family owned, multi-generational operated SimAngus seedstock operation. Production of the “SimAngus HyBred” is not the by-product of a purebred operation for it is the focus of Gibbs Farm. The fall calving herd of approximately 500 cows uses the best genetics of the two highly complimentary breeds of Simmental and Angus, along with modern reproductive tools, carcass ultrasound, live animal harvest data, DNA testing, the American Simmental Association Total Herd Enrollment (THE), and EPDs to produce a hybrid that will offer the beef industry an added value genetic product. The Gibbs’ are very serious about their mission and commitment to not only their customers, but to the entire beef industry. Gibbs Farms was co-nominated for this honor by the Alabama Simmental Association and the Cleburne County Farmers Federation. Gibbs Farms has also been nominated by Alabama BCIA for the Beef Improvement Federation’s Outstanding Seedstock Producer of the Year Award.

The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) recently honored Richard Dyar as the 2008 Richard Deese Award recipient during their Annual Meeting and Awards Program held in conjunction with the 66th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting in Montgomery on February 14.
The Richard Deese Award was established in 1986 to honor Deese, an extension animal scientist in charge of the BCIA program in the 1970s and early 1980s. The award is presented to individuals who uphold the principles of performance testing and genetic improvement of beef cattle in Alabama. Since 1986, breeders, extension workers and beef industry supporters have received the award.
Richard Dyar has truly embodied the spirit of performance testing. He is and has been involved in the Alabama cattle industry in many facets for over 30 years. He has always promoted performance in each level of his involvement within the beef cattle industry in Alabama and across the southeast. Dyar has been a breeder of Angus cattle since 1975 and has participated in BCIA bull evaluations and consignment sales earning top bull honors and producing top selling bulls for many years. He has served on numerous BCIA bull evaluations and consignment sale committees. Dyar also served as the President of Alabama BCIA in 2007 and is the current President of the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation, in which he is the primary originator of the foundation and its efforts. He also has served on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors and as a past president of the Purebred Beef Breeds Council.
Dyar is a native of DeKalb County, Alabama and a graduate of Auburn University where he was a member of the Auburn University Livestock Judging Team. He has served as the past-president and co-founder of the Auburn University Livestock Judging Team Alumni Association. He is also a graduate of Western Kentucky University where he earned his master’s degree. In 1978, he joined the staff of the American Angus Association as a regional representative for 4 southeastern states, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi, where he continues to work today and strongly promotes performance and the Alabama BCIA program across the southeast.

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The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) recently honored Ricky Colquitt as the 2008 Outstanding Extension Agent recipient during their Annual Meeting and Awards Program held in conjunction with the 66th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting in Montgomery on February 14.
Alabama BCIA honored Ricky Colquitt with this award for his support and implementation of beef cattle performance programs in Shelby County. Ricky Colquitt is the County Extension Coordinator in Shelby County for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, where he has served for 7 years. Colquitt has been an agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System for 21 years.
He is active in several industry organizations such as the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and serves as president-elect of the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists. He also served as a county extension representative on the Alabama BCIA Board of Directors from 2005-2008. He offers expertise to the cattle producers in Shelby county in numerous ways such as the processing of Alabama BCIA commercial herd records, BCIA replacement heifer sales, as well as, the Alabama Feeder Calf Marketing Association.
Ricky is a native of Titus, Alabama in Elmore county and graduated from Wetumpka High School, where he was active in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America as a youth. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Animal Science, where he competed on the Auburn University Livestock Judging Team and also the Meats Judging Team. He represented Auburn University in the Ak-Sar-Ben Collegiate Competition in the areas of meats, livestock evaluation, and selection. He also earned a Master’s of Education in adult education from Troy State University.
Ricky was presented this award by Jamie Cates of Columbiana, an Alabama BCIA Board member from Shelby county.

Alabama BCIA would like to announce the new "Alabama BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program." The purpose of this new program is to provide educational instruction and resources for seedstock producers to improve their operations. Seedstock producers of all size operations and breeds can use these tools to improve. The program will provide great benefit to producers establishing businesses and for established producers who want to improve aspects of their business. Alabama BCIA is welcoming all seedstock producers to utilize this educational program to improve their businesses. Membership in Alabama BCIA is not a requirement and the program is for producers of all herd sizes and breeds.
The BCIA Seedstock Continuing Educational Program will feature a educational manual of resources in 8 sections, which include the following: 1) Introduction 2) Business Goal Setting 3) Marketing and Market Positioning 4) Physical Aspects and Carcass Data 5) EPDs and Performance Data 6) Management 7) Reproduction 8) Health. The manual is available for review on our website www.albcia.com divided by section for easy browsing. Hard copies of this educational manual are also available upon request for a designated fee. Regional field days will be scheduled for late summer and fall at breeder's operations to have speakers discuss selected topics. Invitations will be distributed regionally to welcome all seedstock producers to attend. Please also review the information listed below for more information on this program.

Introduction from Leaders in the Alabama Seedstock Industry—Listen to testimonials from leading seedstock producers on the important aspects and lessons learned in being a seedstock producer.
Business Goal Setting—Guides from university specialists and extension publications to guide a seedstock producer in setting business goals.
Marketing and Market Positioning—Guides as to the power of marketing, print advertising, customer service, and developing websites.
Physical Aspects and Carcass Data—Guides for the analysis of conformation, phenotypic appraisal, carcass ultrasound, and retained ownership options.
EPDs and Performance Data—Guides for data collection and interpretation, EPD interpretation, and utilization.
Management—Guides to developing bulls and replacement heifers with basic nutritional guides.
Reproduction—Guides to understanding BSEs for bulls, managing bull fertility, AI, estrus synchronization, and embryo transfer.
Health—Guides to understanding Anaplasmosis, BVD, Johne's Disease, Leptospirosis, Trichomoniasis, and Vibriosis.
Review the BCIA Seedtock Continuing Educational Manual at www.albcia.com!
Stay Tuned for Regional Field Days to be held in late Summer and Fall to highlight selections of this program !

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On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Michelle Elmore and her husband, Josh, welcomed Emma to their family. Emma Hazel Elmore was born at 10:38 a.m. She weighed in at 8 lbs and 10 oz. According to Josh, Michelle and Emma are doing great!

(Sacramento, CA) The commonplace use of molecular information to predict EPD values has been promised to cattle producers for over 20 years. Research scientists were pretty naïve in 1989 as they boldly promised they would have the “marbling” gene understood in 12 months. Today, molecular scientists know for sure there is no such thing as a “marbling” gene. In fact, they’re not sure how many genes affect a trait like marbling.
However, research scientists can now examine up to 50,000 tiny pieces of DNA pieces (called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) on each animal. Animal’s with SNP information now have some genotype information. The genotype information generated by looking at these SNPs can be incorporated into our traditional EPD system, which results in more accurate EPD values.
The U.S. Dairy Industry rolled out this exact analysis in January 2009.
Each beef breed obviously has been selected for certain traits and different genes have segregated or pooled in that breed. If the SNP information of an individual is compared within its breed, that is like producing between 5 to 15 progeny of the individual! Non-parent bulls and heifers could start out in life with accuracy values for EPD traits as high as 0.50.
If the SNP information of an individual is compared across breeds, the results are not quite as dramatic. The information gained would be as if they produced 1 to 5 progeny. The jump in accuracy would not be as dramatic, but accuracies would still be improved.
All 3 of the major genomics companies (Igenity, MMI, Pfizer) have the technology to produce the genotypes. It is still quite expensive (approximately $200/animal).
At this time, I (and I is Lisa Kriese-Anderson) do not recommend producers to genotype all of their animals. According to Dr. Mike Goddard from the University of Melbourne in Australia, checking 50,000 SNPs probably is still not enough. In 5 years or less, he believes the technology will be able to scan for 300,000 or more SNPs at a lesser cost.
However, this breakthrough is one of the most exciting discoveries and applications since the advent of across-breed EPDs. Be on the lookout for more information.

Alabama delegation at 2009 BIF Meetings in Sacramento, CA. From l to r: Robert Williams, Ft. Payne; Randy Moody, AL BCIA president, New Market; Joy Moody, New Market; Donnie Stephens, Marion Junction; Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Auburn; Wendall Gibbs, Ranburne; Nan Gibbs, Ranburne; Jimmy Holliman, Marion Junction; Linda Brown, Clanton and Tommy Brown, Clanton.

BIF Commercial Honor Roll of Excellence Inductee. Donnie Stephens from Marion Junction, AL receives his plaque from 2009 BIF president, Tommy Brown from Clanton, AL.

Tommy Brown, 2009 BIF President delivering his presidential comments to BIF attendees. Over 400 producers, educators and researchers were in attendance from the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa, England and other points around the world. Tommy Brown of Clanton, AL is the second Alabamian to serve as president as BIF and the third Alabamian to serve on the Board of Directors (Glynn Debter, Jimmy Holliman and Tommy Brown).

Genetic defects in cattle are not a new phenomena. However, with better DNA tools available to researchers and scientists, additional genetic defects are being identified.
If you are a long time cattle producer, you probably remember the dwarfism gene in Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn cattle in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Once the breed associations decided to do something about dwarfism, the action was swift—eliminate all dwarf and dwarf gene carriers in the population. We do not have to take as drastic measures today—we can manage our carriers, especially if they are superior in other aspects.
Those of you following the Arthrogryposis multiplex (AM or curly calf) story in the Angus breed learned that AM is inherited through a recessive gene (AM+). What does that mean though if you own or have used a carrier cow or bull?

In simple terms, a carrier animal has a 50% chance of passing the undesirable gene (AM+) on to offspring. A carrier animal will either pass the normal gene (AM-) or the undesirable gene to offspring in their sperm or egg.
If you use a carrier animal, you will need to test each of their offspring to see if they are also a carrier. If the offspring is deemed a non-carrier, you will no longer need to test the offsprings’ offspring unless mated to another known carrier.
However, there are many more genetic defects you should know about besides AM. And, because of new technology, more are being identified each day. Many genetic defects in cattle are inherited as a simple recessive trait. This is good news. This means we can manage the carriers and not have to destroy them.

TH — Tibial Hemimelia

TH is characterized by severe and lethal deformaties in newborn calves. Affected calves are born with twisted rear legs with fused joints, have large abdominal hernias and/or a skull deformity. Basically, the calf has no tibia bone. Should the calf survive the birthing process, it can not stand to nurse and must be destroyed.
TH is caused by a recessive gene and is a problem in the Shorthorn breed. It came to the forefront in the Shorthorn breed in 2003. But, TH was documented in the Galloway breed in the 1960’s. However, TH is not breed specific and could be found in additional breeds as well.

IE — Idiopathic Epilepsy

IE is repeated seizures over time which do not appear to have an underlying cause. First seizures can begin at birth through several months of age. Occurrence and persistence of seizures may be influenced by environmental stressors, such as temperature extremes or increased physical activity.
Once seizures begin, calves may appear to walk with a stiffened, irregular gait. Animals affected with IE will typically lie on their side with all limbs extended in a rigid state while having a seizure. Seizure episodes may last several minutes to more than one hour.
IE has also been found to be a recessively inherited trait. Currently, Hereford cattle are the breed of cattle most affected. However, it could be present in other breeds.

BIF Purebred Honor Roll of Excellence Inductee. Nan and Wendell Gibbs of Gibbs Farms in Ranburne, AL receives their plaque from 2009 BIF president, Tommy Brown from Clanton, AL

PHA — Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca

Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca (PHA) is a lethal recessive disorder which affects Maine Anjou, Shorthorn and Dexter breeds of cattle. The calves have little, poorly formed lungs, and they have lots of excess retained fluid. The calves are usually born dead and may be aborted early.
PHA, unlike some of the other genetic defects, will cause early term abortions, which leads to open cows. This made many breeders unaware of the PHA problem, often blaming the open cows on other health issues.
With PHA, embryo loss at 90 to 180 days can be as high as 30 percent. Calves that do survive and go full term or near full term often times must be delivered via cesarean section. Calves can retain so much fluid that an 80-pound calve can weigh as much as 200 pounds. Often times difficult deliveries can lead to extreme damage to the cow and may lead to problems with future breeding or even survival.

HY—Hypotrichosis (Hairlessness)

FCS — Fawn Calf Syndrome

Hairlessness occurs in several breeds of beef cattle. It expresses itself as complete or partial loss of hair. Calves are often born with no hair but will grow a short curly coat of hair with age, if they do not die shortly after birth due to exposure. Affected individuals are prone to environmental stress (cold and wet) and skin infections are more prevalent. A recessive gene causes hairlessness.

This defect has been reported in Angus calves in Australia for many years. It has probably been in the U.S. population, but not reported (unintentionally). Most calves are born alive, can walk and suckle. They also grow.
Birth weight of FCS calves are normal. However, the affected calves crouch much like an elk or deer. Their feet will be placed more to the rear than normal. Their hocks will be pulled up and the spine arched. Most times, FCS calves will also be flat on their pasterns during the first days of life.
FCS calves may look completely normal by 4 to 6 months of age. They are always more slight in bone structure and muscling. Post-weaning, FCS calves generally gain slowly and are tall, gangly cattle with poor foot conformation.
Currently, Dr. Jon Beaver from the University of Illinois is working on a genetic test for FCS.
It appears FCS is the result of a simple recessive gene. He believes the gene may be present in the Angus population at a low to moderate frequency.

OS—Osteopetrosis

This defect is also known as marble bone and again is a simple recessively inherited trait. Affected calves are generally born dead two to four weeks early. Bones of the calf are solid, with no bone marrow present. This makes the bones very weak and brittle. Calves are also generally small in size and have an undershot jaw and impacted molar teeth.
However, as a caution, osteopetrosis can also be caused by an in utero infection of BVD. It must be determined whether osteopetrosis is caused by a genetic defect or the result of a bovine viral diarrhea infection.
Osteopetrosis is most common in Angus, Red Angus, Holstein, Simmental and Hereford cattle.

AM—Arthrogryposis Multiplex

Arthrogryposis multiplex, known as curly calf, has dominated the Angus headlines for several months. The mutation that started AM in the Angus breed traces back to GAR Precision 1680. No one knows why his part of DNA mutated, thus causing him to be a carrier of AM.
Newborn calves can be born dead or may live for a short time. Calves will be born with a curved spine, extended limbs (especially rear legs), are very thin, and lack muscle development.
The American Angus Association (www.angus.org) has been very proactive in identifying carrier animals. Lists of AMC (carrier animals) and AMF (normal animals) can be found on the Angus Association web site.

How Can You Handle a Potential Genetic Defect?
Look for abnormalities in calves with common ancestry. Make sure you record those dead or “not quite right” calves. If you suspect something might be genetic in nature—and your vet and the State Diagnostic Lab can not find any answers, contact Dr. Jon Beaver. He has become the U.S. expert in animal genetic defects. He is able to use the 50,000 SNP chips to find answers in months, instead of years.
Dr. Jon Beaver
Laboratory of Comparative Genomics
1201 W. Gregory Drive
220 Edward R. Madigan Laboratory
Urbana, IL 61801

NH—Neuropathic Hydrocephalus

This is a relatively new genetic defect. It is also in the Angus breed. In fact, the genetic test for NH is just being released to the major DNA companies.
The first NH calves were reported as producers started reporting AM calves. The genetic mutation also traces back to GAR Precision 1680.
In NH calves, there is no central nervous system tissue. The calves have no brain and their spinal chord material degrades. The heads on the affected calves are huge. This is caused by a skull malformation with generalized hydrocephalus (water head). The calf may or may not be affected with AM.
NH has also been found to be inherited as a simple recessive.

Photo of an Angus calf affected with NH.

Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association, Inc.
Alabama BCIA
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Clanton, AL 35045
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