2016 Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Field Day

The 2016 Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Field Day was held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from Noon to 4:30 at Tommy Shealy's T&S Farm in Leesville, SC. The day began with a barbecue lunch catered by Shealy's BBQ. About 25 people were in attendance from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The group consisted of established seedstock producers and producers who were relatively new to the breed.

Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas President Scott Sherrill highlighted that the focus of the day would be on adding value to our product, and welcomed the speakers for the day, Carrie Pickworth and Johnny Rogers of NC State University, Scott Sell of Clemson University, and SGBI Executive Director John Ford.

Scott Sell, who has run the Edisto Forage Bull Test for the past 4 years, began the presentations with a summary of Clemson's Edisto Forage Bull Test. He highlighted the Santa Gertrudis breed's history with the test, as it holds the four top prices the sale has ever seen; however, he noted that there has not been any participation from the breed in over 20 years. He noted some changes to the program, including that the test is now 100% forage based, but bulls that go on to the post-test sale do receive a limited grain ration prior to the sale. Over 33 years, the Edisto Forage Bull Test has tested 2,119 bulls, sold 1,403, averaging $2292.57 per head. He compared costs of testing a bull through the Edisto Forage Bull Test and the grain-based Clemson Bull Test. He also noted some updates to the facility that have taken place over recent years. He highlighted throughout his work the very important contributions by Larry Olson to the program and complimented Dr. Olson's meticulous record-keeping. He stated that the majority of the buyers coming to the sale are commercial producers, and reiterated that it has been a long time since bos indicus bulls have gone through the sale, but he identified the test and sale as an opportunity for Santa Gertrudis producers.

Following Mr. Sell was Dr. Carrie Pickworth of NC State University, who discussed understanding and interpreting carcass ultrasound data. Her presentation focused on both the technique and technology behind collecting carcass ultrasound data, but also demonstrated how a breeder might use carcass ultrasound data to make management decisions. She discussed the critical measurements from ultrasound data: the rib eye area and back fat measurements are used to determine a yield grade, and showed the relationship between the ultrasound image and the actual cut of meat. She then discussed IMF and its relationship to quality grades. She explained the value of collecting carcass ultrasound data for influencing EPDs, and noted its value to the farmer to develop more uniform cattle with better muscling, better marbling, and less fat thickness, but noted that its effectiveness is contingent on the breeder's willingness to accept the data and use it to make management decisions, but also emphasized the importance of not engaging in single-trait selection. Her presentation was particularly relevant as members of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas begin to actively collect carcass ultrasound data and begin to market animals on whom data has been collected.

The second series of presentations by Johnny Rogers and John Ford focused on Genomics. Johnny Rogers' presentation focused on genomic data usage generally: he explained how the technology has evolved over time and how the science has caught up with the marketing. He explained the influence of ancestors in calculating EPDs and the acceleration of accuracy that could be accomplished through the use of genomics. He put the data in the context of other means of evaluating animals. He reminded the group of the importance of collecting good data, defining contemporary groups, and submitting data to the breed association to improve the validity of EPDs. He did not recommend using genomics for proven sires with high accuracy values, but did emphasize its usefulness for new herd bulls, bulls intended for sale, donor cows, and the possibility of value on replacement heifers.

John Ford's presentation synthesized a lot of the material throughout the day: he focused on the meaning and usage of EPDs and explained selection pressures applied to different economically relevant traits by different producers. He noted that generally, the breed has placed a lot more selection pressure on WW and other growth EPDs, but has not applied as much selection pressure to the carcass qualities. He noted that the breed's relatively new indices are a better indicator for commercial producer selections, while seedstock producers should be more interested in the underlying EPDs for individual traits as they make selection decisions. He informed the group that the breed has taken to updating its EPDs monthly and releasing new percentile tables at the same rate. His key point was that customer needs and goals should drive breeding objectives.

After the presentations, those in attendance gathered for a round table discussion. The first topic was around working with the universities and figuring out ways to get the breed involved in research. The most critical components of a workable project were that the results be publishable, result in good data, and not lose money. A few example projects were listed for future work, which will drive future discussions, most of which involved research into efficiency and teat tolerance. There was also discussion of retained ownership programs and feedlot partnerships to get additional kill data, which would also have a significant impact on carcass data collection.

The day concluded with the opportunity for new breeders and more experienced breeders to ask questions of each other. Over the course of the discussion, John Ford highlighted the need to recognize what your market demands and tailor your product accordingly.

All of the day's presentations are available through the resources page at our website www.sgbreedersofthecarolinas.com.

2016 NC State Fair Bull Show Results

Class 624--Bull calved 3/1/16 to 4/30/16
1. JCS Tad Cooper 74/6, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 625--Bull calved 1/1/16 to 2/29/16
1. Massive Hatchet Tripp D652, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 626--Bull calved 11/1/15 to 12/31/15
1. Hatchet Massive Tripp D653, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 627--Bull calved 9/1/15 to 10/31/15
1. Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms
2. Massive Mt. Tripp D651, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Champion Bull Calf
Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms

Reserve Champion Bull Calf
JCS Tad Cooper 74/6, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 631--Bull calved 5/1/15 to 6/30/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Massive D559, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 632--Bull calved 3/1/15 to 4/30/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Massive Tripp D555, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 633--Bull calved 1/1/15 to 2/28/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Grizzley D556, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Yearling Champion Bull
Hatchet Mt. Massive D559, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Reserve Yearling Champion Bull
Hatchet Mt. Grizzley D556, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 639--Bull calved 1/1/14 to 3/31/14
1. Hatchet Mt Massive D453, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 640--Bull calved 7/1/13 to 12/31/13
1. 8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Champion Senior Bull
8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Senior Bull
Hatchet Mt Massive D453, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Grand Champion and Best of Polled Bull
8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Reserve Grand Champion Bull
Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms

Produce of Dam
1. Miss Hatchet Mt Massive D425, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Get of Sire
1. Creech 904, RW Farm
2. JCS Dean 91/9, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
3. Massive Mt. Tripp D757, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

2016 North Carolina State Fair Open Show Results: Heifers

Class 602--Heifer Calved 3/1/16 to 4/30/16
1. Pearl 1/16, RW Farm
2. Cindy 2/16, RW Farm
3. Sugar 3/16, RW Farm

Class 604--Heifer Calved 11/1/15 to 12/31/15
1. JCS Lucky Lady 72/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 605--Heifer Calved 9/1/15 to 10/31/15
1. Tri C 15/65, Tri C Farms
2. Lucy 9/15, Tri C Farms
3. Tri C 15/58, Tri C Farms

Champion Heifer Calf
Pearl 1/16, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf
Cindy 2/16, RW Farm

Class 608--Heifer Calved 7/1/15 to 8/31/15
1. Flatwillow 314, Flatwillow Farms
2. Flatwillow 308, Flatwillow Farms

Class 609--Heifer calved 5/1/15 to 6/30/15
1. Flatwillow 307, Flatwillow Farms
2. Miss Massive Mt. Grizzley Tripp D511, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 610--Heifer Calved 3/1/15 to 4/30/15
1. JCS Miss Mollie 64/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
2. 3/15 Lady, RW Farm

Class 611--Heifer calved 1/1/15 to 2/28/15
1. Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms
2. JCS Gracie 63/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Champion Yearling Heifer
Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms

Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer
Flatwillow 307, Flatwillow Farms

Class 614--Heifer calved 10/1/14 to 12/31/14
1. Wood 13/14, RW Farm

Class 615--Heifer calved 7/1/14 to 9/30/14
1. Double C 14/73, Tri-C Farm
2. Miss Grizzley D502, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch
3. Miss Massive Amigo D501, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 616--Heifer calved 4/1/14 to 6/30/14
1. Lizzie 9-14, RW Farm

Champion Senior Female
Wood 13/14, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Senior Female
Lizzie 9-14, RW Farm

Grand Champion Female
Pearl 1/16, RW Farm

Reserve Grand Champion and Best of Polled Female
Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms