In the past, it was hard to get female expected progeny differences to guide selection of commercial replacement heifers, but a lot was implied from the sire’s EPDs.

Related: Use DNA to select replacement heifers

Improving a herd starts with the sire. A bull gives half the genetics to offspring. Further, the bull likely has dozens of calves, where a cow has only one calf per year.

University of Missouri Show-Me-Select program continues to raise standards for sires used. Those standards appear in catalogs for each sale.

By knowing the strong traits of a heifer’s sire, buyers pick those likely to improve weak traits in their herd.

SOURCE A SIRE: Beef producers wanting to improve heifer selection will start by looking at the sire's expected progeny differences (EPDs). Now, with the added data from heifer EPDs, producers can make an educated choice for their operation.

Calving ease gained fame
Be assured, SMS is more than calving ease. That trait gained fame for the program from the start. In time, buyers learned that high-quality heifers carry other genetics that add value.

Beef breeders learned the value of stacked genetics.

That first value, calving ease, remains, as it cuts problems at birth. SMS heifers reduce dread of calving.

Calving EPDs help, but full potential takes good management. Care ahead of breeding and calving adds value. A veterinarian’s help improves development. Pre-breeding reproductive tract exams cull heifers slow in reaching puberty and cycling. Pelvic measurements cull heifers with openings too small to pass a calf.

For a herd owner planning to sell feeder calves, maternal traits and weaning weights rank high.

Retained calves return most
For owners retaining ownership through the packing plant, growth and carcass traits are sought.

A University of California study shows that the highest returns for better genetics come to those who retain ownership.

MU Thompson Farm shows, year after year, that a high percentages of USDA Prime-grade calves can be produced.

On the national average, Prime grade runs about 4%. But recent MU fed calves graded 29% Prime. The rest are Choice. Many draw Certified Angus Beef premiums. All add dollars.

Known genetics speed progress. Lessons begin at sales of SMS replacement heifers.

Dailey is a retired MU Extension professor. He writes from his home in Columbia.