Sustainable Genetics

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 there’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 industry……70%+ 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…..

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.