Angus genetic study More than you likely want to know but it ties in IBC with pedigree, genomics and something else that escapes my brain without going back up in the study. I will do that later. But it is an interesting study if you work off of facts. What is most interesting to me in the traits that are noted as issues of inbreeding depression/regression - the traits that are of concern are many of the traits included in the $M index. Then the fad is to look at both $M and $C and those two cover all of the researched (this paper) depressed traits! So, maybe there is a reason to chase those indices to the tops of the charts!
Kind of surprised you would do it again considering the results. Especially as it is so easy to avoid that scenario.
Some people believe that keeping replacements out of cows that have performed well for them in their environment and management style will result in cows that outperform those that are purchased from outside sources. They like to think that they have long term goals that either improve or maintain the genetics that fit their situation. Some people have anxiety about color and discounts. Some have anxiety about bringing in outside cattle that will upset the progress they have already made. I am in the group that thinks that way.
Yes someone probably better go back to learning and get learned up on genetics hoss. Best look at accumulative traits and how they function. Also inhibiting genes. Co dominant genetics, then modifying genes. Also might want to check out traits that are influenced by multiple genes. Then the fact that genes don't independently short. And often multiple genes sort as a group and not independently of each other.And then might be interesting to look into epigenetics hoss .
Or sell ten heifers and buy five unrelated better ones, and put some cash in his pocket without taking chances on inbreeding problems.
Mostly related to the fact I like my brangus/hereford calves and they are extremely hard to find around me without paying a steep premium. Though I would gladly buy more decent brangus bred cows for the right price.
That is a very accurate statement...agreed.
There are people on here that think that because a cow is at a sale that it is junk....a cull. They think they raise replacements that are better than anyone else's that they could buy. I guess, according to them, IF something happened and they had to take their -best-in-the-world heifers to a sale, that those heifers would somehow immediately become diseased-ridden junk. I know of several operations that all they do is raise replacement heifers. If the ones they raise and sell weren't of superior quality, then they would not be in business for long. I have always said, and will still say, that if you gave me the money that it costs you to raise a heifer from birth to when her first calf is weaned ( about 2 and a half years) and add to that amount, the price the heifer would have brought if you had sold it at weaning, then I can buy a heavy bred cow that is better than any heifer you have raised, for less money, that will give you a calf to sell in a few months, instead of 2 and 1/2 years.
That's how I've grown in the past, which is definitely a faster turn around but my cost to keep heifers doesn't cost me much of anything honestly minus whatever the cost I could sell the heifer at the sale barn. If I was buying heifers it definitely doesn't make sense vs buying a bred cow
Yes, but even if you didn't spend a thing on raising it, had year-round grass etc. You are looking at raising it to, say, 16 mos old, it having a calf 9 mos later at 25 months old, then selling its 1st calf in 6 mos. 31 mos before you get any money out of her. Or sell her at 6 mos old, buy a 7 month bred cow, and in 8 mos you have a calf to sell. Breed her back when that calf is 3 mos old and in 15 more months, you have another calf to sell. Two calves in 20 months vs 31 mos for that retained heifer to wean her 1st calf. Myself, I hate calving our heifers or foaling fillies. Much rather fool with an older cow or broodmare.
That's nonsense.
Actually, it is called mathematics. And no matter how good you think something is, there is ALWAYS something out there better. Many a horse was born and died, that could have blown Secretariat off the track. Many a dude out there that could whup Mike Tyson like a yard dog, and make him cry. And no matter how excellent you think your raised heifers are...and they very well may be... there are always some out there that you can buy that are cheaper and better. What is nonsense, is those on here that say the best, or only, way to get a quality herd, is to raise your own. And that say you can't buy great cattle at a sale.
You will never understand because you are a car salesman. It has nothing to do with "the best". It has to do with what works for your operation. If you were actually a cow guy you would understand that. You use to admit that yourself.
