Spring 2013 Beef Sire Directory

38
IT STARTS WITH THE COW
The ABS definition of a productive & profitable cow and our criteria for the sires it takes to produce them.
1. SHE’S MORE THAN jUST A PRETTY PICTURE
Objective real world results and producer profitability are what matters.
2. DOCUMENTED MATERNAL PERFORMANCE IS A MUST
At ABS, we think $W is vitally important, and it has been a key part of our selection
criteria for years. A current main list sire sort shows 41 ABS Angus bulls with $W
values of $35.00 or higher with 17 exceeding $40.00 for both $W and $B
3. DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS REqUIRE DIFFERENT COWS
Maximum output isn’t always better—inputs count. ABS strives to provide bulls
with strong maternal traits, but a range of $EN levels to fit varying environments.
11 sires in our Spring 2012 Sire Directory rank in the top 35% of the breed for $EN.
4. SHE WON’T EAT YOU OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME
ABS is committed to gathering progeny feed efficiency data through our exclusive
Angus Sire Alliance program. With more than 14 years of individual intake data
and the industry’s only feed efficiency index and EPDs, bulls like ALLIANCE I87,
PROTEGE, RITO REVENUE, POWER DESIGN, FUTURE FOCUS, FORESIGHT, NEW DESIGN
878 and LEAD ON offer outstanding maternal traits with documented feed efficiency.
5. DIRECT AND MATERNAL CALVING EASE AREN’T LUxURIES
We don’t like our cows so much that we want to spend the entire calving season
with them. You don’t have to trade calving ease to get maternal value.
6. DISPOSITION IS A VALUABLE MATERNAL TRAIT
ABS has published Docility EPDs in our sire directory since 2008 and was the 1st
stud to do so. Besides the breed’s long time #1 sire for Docility, ABS offers 33 sires
that rank in the top 25% for DOC.
7. FERTILITY MAY BE LOWLY HERITABLE, BUT IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT
We have also published Heifer Pregnancy EPDs on our bulls since their inception
and are actively gathering data on both heifer pregnancy and stayability through
the Angus Sire Alliance to bring you more fertile, longer lasting females.
DocumenteD
Performance
efficiency
$W
fertility
Docility
fleshing ability
uDDer Quality
$en
NEW DESIGN 878 DAUGHTER
8. SOUNDNESS & UDDER qUALITY ARE IMPORTANT qUANTIFIABLE TRAITS
ABS exclusive GTS (Genetic Type Summary) program provides the only objective, data
driven type trait evaluation in the industry. We love a great daughter or dam photo,
but objectively measuring a bull’s progeny tells the whole story. Look to ABS for bulls
that will improve capacity, structural soundness and teat and udder quality.
9. CROSS BREEDING IS A POWERFUL MATERNAL TOOL
The benefits of heterosis are especially valuable on the maternal side of the
equation for important but lowly heritable traits like fertility and longevity. Numerous
studies show a significant lifetime productivity benefit of up to 25% for cross
bred cows. ABS is committed to providing the right bulls and the right breeds for
optimally structured cross breeding programs.
10. HER GENETIC ABILITY MUST ExTEND AND ExCEL BEYOND THE RANCH
Her first job is to produce a calf that keeps her owner in business for the long
haul. However, her progeny also must ultimately perform in the feedlot and meet
consumer demands for quality and consistency. That’s why we ask that our maternal
bulls also excel for performance, carcass merit and $Beef Value. Adding value for the
rancher and the industry is what we mean by Pasture to Plate.
...and yes, she does need to look good.