American Simmental/Simbrah
Progeny Carcass Testing Program

The purpose of this document is to give interested commercial cattlemen a general outline describing the ASA progeny carcass-testing program. This outline was designed with two purposes in mind. First to provide general guidelines and goals from the ASA's perspective. Second to provide potential commercial cooperators with an honest appraisal of the benefits/challenges involved with this opportunity.

Carcass Program Basic Goals and Necessities

1. Produce groups of individually identified slaughter cattle with at least one known reference (proven) sire and two or more test sires.

2. Minimum cow number is necessary for project feasibility.

3. Use of Artificial Insemination is crucial.

4. Cow and calf identification are both important.

5. Follow cattle through finishing and slaughter.

6. Collect quality carcass information for our genetic evaluation program.

1. Minimum Cow Numbers
(if synchronization is used, we hope to get one calf for every two cows mated (40-65%).)

• ASA is interested in cow group sizes that are manageable for you. Certainly larger groups offer us more data and the opportunity to use more test sires; but ultimately, your management program, facilities, interest level and experience with A.I./synchronization will determine cow numbers.
• If you wish to keep all or a portion of the heifer calves, we will need to mate a minimum of 300 cows to get the size of progeny group that we need. (300 cows x 1/2 conception x 1/2=75 steers)
• For terminal programs, (all calves slaughtered) minimum cow number is lower.
• Because of reduced costs per carcass progeny record to ASA, additional financial incentives and other assistance are available for terminal projects and larger numbers.

2. Artificial Insemination Program

• Cows can be either synchronized or mated on natural heat.
• Synchronization programs are used most often to optimize labor.
• To respond well to synchronization, cows should be condition score 5 or higher and be at least 40 days post partum.
• Groups of mature cows are preferred, but we are willing to work with groups of virgin heifers under certain circumstances.
• Synchronization program is your choice; however, we will be glad to recommend an efficient and cost-effective program for you.
• Most options require one or two handlings before breeding.
• Shorter calving intervals are better for both parties.
  ASA will provide required synchronization drugs at no cost.
• ASA will provide semen at no cost.
• ASA will provide and help schedule A.I. technicians if needed for large synchronized matings.
•  A short break (7-10 days) between A.I. and clean up bull turn out is preferable.

3. Identification and Record Keeping

• To record specific random matings, cows will need to be individually identified (tags, brands etc.)
• Calves will need to be individually tagged for sire and dam identification. (Birth dates are required for extended calving season, but not usually for a synchronized timed matings.)
• ASA will provide or purchase tags for your use. Our preference is a visible plastic tag backed up with a permanent metal tag.
• Unless you are already keeping weight records, (birth and weaning weights) we will not specifically ask that of you.
• ASA would appreciate access to feedlot records (in weight, cost of gain, ADG etc.) if available.

4. Marketing and/or Tracking to Carcass Data Collection

• Your financial success is the first priority.
• You may certainly continue to maintain ownership through slaughter if that is your plan.
• Implanting and health programs are left at the discretion of the producer and/or feedlot program.
• Slaughtering cattle in one or two large groups is ideal for maximizing data value and ease of data collection.  We do, however, understand the need to be involved to ensure contemporary groups are not broken up and that we do not lose access to the slaughter cattle.
• ASA can organize partial or complete sale of feeder calves to benefit both your profitability and the ASA needs.
• ASA will be responsible for the collection and cost for collection of all carcass information, which will be provided to you as soon as it is available.

As stated above, these are some guidelines and recommendations for your evaluation. Because of the wide variety of commercial cow/calf programs and the differences in specific goals that each of you have, not all of these recommendations apply to everyone. We are most concerned about making this cooperative effort mutually beneficial. We know the data captured in these projects is a great benefit to ASA, but if our partners are not satisfied both personally and economically then we have lost far more than we've gained in information.

If you have questions regarding this program
or specific concerns please contact:

Marty Ropp
Director of Commercial Programs
American Simmental Association
1 Simmental Way
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-4531 Phone

(406) 587-9301 Fax
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