BlackCattleRancher
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Really been studying up on some of the more popular genetic programs in the Angus breed, and it seems everything is oriented towards calving ease with lots of growth, with a low BW, high CED then big numbers on WW and YW. Obviously the high WW demands a lot of milk and usually the dam's milk is 25+ and consequently and negative $EN, which is supposed to mean a cow that requires extra groceries to keep going. Now if I look at a program like Ohlde, the WW and Milk EPD's moderate significantly and the $EN is positive. Those theoretically should be easy keepers and I am sacraficing some growth and extra weaning weight for a cow that is an easier keeper and should get bred back a little easier on less energy. Seems simple if I'm going to sell everything as calves, but I have been finishing out my calves and realize the signicant premiums for CAB and High Choice and Prime carcass grades. Now I go back to these programs where I can find a lower maintenance cow and their REA and Marbling epd's are pretty lacking. In a bull I'm going to use AI i'd like to have at least a .75 Marbling and at least a .5 REA minimum for both, preferably higher on the marbling. I guess the point I'm trying to make is it seems the higher growth genetics have been geared towards better carcass epd's than the "efficient cow" programs. It seems in an effort to make the cow herd low maintenance these programs have forgot the end product. Any thoughts or ideas on programs or an approach to my dilema. Would enjoy some good discussion on this.