Sustainable Genetics

I'm often asked, what do the Pinebank, NZ Angus offer that so many US papered Angus lack......they have excellent feet that require no maintenance!!....as this photo, taken this AM, clearly illustrates......not to mention unmatched, well documented fertility!!

To continue from the previous post..believe this discussion is quite timely as our mission should focus on creating sustainability for commercial cattle producers..a bit more background before we move on with pedigree/blood importance. I find it quite interesting the constant gnashing of teeth through FB posts from papered Angus owners, more recently regarding AAA EPD/Index changes, not to mention the photos of two headed & five legged calves ..more and more evidence t...here’s not much constructive coming out of St. Joe to help the average cattle owner.just more confusion. There’s no question the CAB program is the most successful marketing effort ever created in the US beef industry70%+ of the current national cow inventory has a black hide.however, AAA’s effort to make breeders, of all Angus owners is yielding more unintended consequences than positive results. Unfortunately none of this is going to change in the near future .the Angus breed has lost its purpose attempting to maximize profitability for the feedlots and meat packing industry. More soon.. See more

Over the next few days I plan to initiate discussion around the genetic antagonisms that Mother Nature throws at us that, contrary to popular belief, makes it impossible to create the complete animal in one package. The purpose here is to hopefully provide an understanding among cattle owners that the blood/pedigree in an animal is significantly more important than the many confusing numbers in today’s beef industry. One must remember, all breeds were created for ...specific purposes...not today’s commonly accepted be-all/end-all multiplying system of mongrels. I share this photo of Angus bull Mulben Embassy to begin dialogue emphasizing the importance of blood (genetics) in animal breeding with the goal of creating prepotency for traits of economic importance. Embassy, bred by Master Breeder W. G. Macpherson, Mains of Mulben, Scotland, was imported to New Zealand in 1939 and is widely recognized as the most influential bull in Angus genepool down under- NZ & AU (detailed history can be viewed at https://www.resurgamangus.com/sire-of-sires/) Embassy epitomized not only those traits (maternal efficiency, longevity, convenience & excellent end-product eating qualities) on which the Angus breed was established but also genetic purity. He was described as very prepotent, quite easy fleshing and weighing more than a ton at maturity. He serviced cows naturally at age 14 yrs but died shortly there after from injures sustained in a fight with another bull. See more

We'd been looking to add a Devon bull to our lineup that met our "reproductive efficiency first" criteria within a commercial production environment for quite sometime. Commercially produced Devon cattle have much to offer, however they are rare.......especially one out of a teenage cow with a flawless record. After observing the the bull pictured, Lakota King Henry, we had the good fortune to bring him on board. Thanks to Jeremy Engh, Lakota Ranch (VA) for allowing us to market his semen.

Linebred Trask Hereford bull Edisto E132 Plato Dom U457 AHA#42904171 .... 70+ yrs genetic selection for optimal performance on forages in southeastern US.... pictured at 9 yrs of age while breeding cows naturally at Fowlken Farms, Jonesville, SC ..... limited quantity of semen available

At the encouragement of numerous folks, we're going to become more active on FB.....we've had the good fortune to travel many miles over the last year, observe cattle in different environments and communicate with progressive producers from across the cattle spectrum. I was once told, if you know something worthwhile, you need to share it....there's much happening in the regenerative ag/pasture based farming world and we feel compelled to share with you what we're seeing & hearing.....stay tuned!.....thanks so much for all your encouragement!

A big thank you to Agape Cattle Co., Valley Mills, TX for their recent purchase of an breeding interest and possession of our Clemson 1129 Plato Y308 C310 bull.......semen available through Sustainable Genetics, LLC. C310 is a product of Clemson University's continuing preservation efforts of the Neil Trask Polled Hereford gene pool. Pictured recently (along with his 6 yr old dam)....AHA# 43662827....2 yrs old....100% forage developed....2.5 FS....intensely linebred - traces 40+ times to NT Rupert.....old "true Hereford genetics"....pedigree stacked with long -lived minimal input cows.

Saw the following post this AM from like minded producer Craig Guffey and felt compelled to share......he's dead-on from our perspective....."today the average producer seems blind to the cattle and only looking at the Science. That is the problem. We must still evaluate the things that yield a profit opportunity. As I showed in an earlier picture only 6 out of the last 40 years has shown a profit to the average cow calf producer. The purebred industry's answer to this is mor...e science. As humans it's our nature to make things complicated. Let the cows show u who is profitable within your environment. It's very simple. Our challenge in America is the AAA gives no value to these cattle as they know that if they don't promote the modern what does that say to its members about the last 40 years of breeding Cattle? This year this system is catching up with the breed as all Angus bull sales have been down substantially. Commercial cattlemen aren't getting what they expect for the money they have spent. I don't blame them. Nature always evens things out"... See more