Photo by Hannah Wine
by Lane Giess, ASA Geneticist
The $Gain economic subindex is now available on Herdbook.org.
by Brandi Karisch, Eastern Region
To date, 2025 has been a great year for SimGenetics across the country. Record high sale prices this year show a continued demand for Simmental across all segments of the industry. In the show ring, SimGenetics have brought home Supreme and top five titles at Major shows across the country.
by Marty Ropp, Allied Genetic Resources
Significant economic information, data, and research consistently suggest that maternal traits are two to three times more impactful to profitability than are growth and carcass traits. Despite this, many producers historically select almost solely for terminal traits when choosing their genetics, while continuing to claim that their focus is on the long term.
by Dr. Jonathan DeClerck
Nutrition during critical stages of fetal development has an important impact on beef cattle performance throughout the production cycle.
April
1 Henry’s Fork Cattle Company’s Private Treaty Bulls for Sale — Rexburg, ID
4 CK Bar Ranch’s 24 Annual Bull Sale — St. Onge, SD
Cow Camp Ranch’s Annual Spring Bull Sale
January 18, 2025 • Lost Springs, KS
Average: 171 Bulls $7,35
Auctioneer: Charly Cummings, KS
Sale Manager: Allied Genetic Resources (AGR), IL
Representing ASA: Dr. Michael Dikeman
Developing leaders through friendship, networking, and communication skills!
by Aribella Beins
Hello Essential Oils and Goodbye Ionophores?
by Jacob Klaudt, Kansas State University Extension
Negative public perception and increasing governmental regulations have researchers seeking alternatives to antibiotic use in livestock. Ionophores — an antibiotic that alters rumen microbial populations to increase efficiency — have been temporarily banned in some countries.
Mia Bayer, Director, Youth Programs and Foundation Manager
Reflecting on the opportunities the ASA and AJSA provide, I always find myself focused on the possibilities available to our junior members.
Editor’s note: PTP data for the National Western Stock Show are in the following order:
Calving Ease EPD, Weaning Weight EPD, Yearling Weight EPD, Maternal Calving Ease EPD, Milk EPD, Stayability EPD, Marbling EPD, Backfat EPD, REA EPD, $API, and $TI. All EPD and indexes printed here are current as of a 1/16/25 data pull.
Dixie National Livestock Show
Date: February 16, 2025
Location: Jackson, MS
Lead Judge: Brandon Callis, OK
Associate Judge: Kase LeRow, TX
Fort Worth Stock Show
Open Show
Date: January 31, 2025
Judges: Chris Effling, SD; and Troy Thomas, SD
Location: Fort Worth, TX
by Larry H. Maxey, founder and superintendent, NAILE Fullblood
Our Pioneers — The “Big Die-Up,” and Snowy Owl Prophecy
You may recall a past edition for this series that profiled Theodore Roosevelt and his adventurous life as a cattleman. Although highly successful in virtually every other aspect of his remarkable life, his cattle ventures ended in abject failure. Mother Nature and the winter of 1886–87 saw to that. He wasn’t alone though. Some of the wealthiest people on the planet suffered the same fate. Bankruptcies were common.
Rare Bull Quadruplet Calves Born
by Connie Sieh Groop, Cattle Business Weekly
Excitement always builds when getting ready for the annual bull sale at Stavick Simmental at Veblen, South Dakota. Last week, that was multiplied many times over with the birth of bull quadruplet calves. Since it’s such a rare occurrence, it’s hard to verify how rare that is but some online sources say it was a one in 179.2 million event.
Peru Emerges as a Significant Market for US Agricultural Products
In 2023, Peru was the 28th largest market for US agricultural exports, valued at $851 million, making it the third largest market in South America. The US–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) entered into force in February 2009, and US agricultural exports reached $1 billion for the first time in 2014, peaking at $1.36 billion in 2018.
Residue: The Value of Bypass Protein
by Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension
If you are looking to background calves or grow replacement heifers this winter, grazing corn residue and providing supplemental distillers may be a system to consider. Corn residue is an outstanding forage resource for wintering cows, but is also an option for backgrounding calves or growing heifers.