Using GENEMAX Advantage in Heifer Selection

Using GENEMAX Advantage in Heifer Selection

It is nearing the time that many ranchers are trying to determine which heifers to retain for replacements and which to sell. Now there is a genomic solution to assist commercial Angus producers in making more precise selection, mating and marketing decisions.
Zoetis Senior Territory Business Manager Chuck Cox shares more about this genomic test GENEMAX Advantage which can take a lot of the emotion and guessing out of the selecting process.
Cox: “It takes the age and the size component out of the decision making last minute when you are trying to process all your cattle for weaning. It allows you to think ahead and be proactive in your heifer selection.”
This test is highly accurate on cattle that are 3/4s or better percent Angus. Cox explains that the test measures several components of a heifer’s potential as a future cow: examining carcass traits—growth and marbling and as well as cow traits — things like milk production and calving ease. Then that is combined into an index score.
He says the test, which is $44 per head, provides the index score on the heifer as well as bull suggestions to improve that heifer’s weaknesses.
Cox: “You are going to select best heifer for overall economic value and what she can add to a calf crop. But if she’s got some weakness, now we can match her up. The report from the test will give us bulls that are in our Angus data base. It will give bulls that are available on the market — either through the purchase of semen or the bull himself. It will make recommendations.”

 

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