Beefmaster Selection Indices Developed to Increase Profitability

SAN ANTONIO – Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is pleased to announce the development and release of their Terminal ($T) and Maternal ($M) Indices. Commercial cattlemen now have the most powerful Beefmaster selection tools at their fingertips. The release of $T Terminal Index and $M Maternal Index now allows commercial cattlemen to target their bull selections to achieve specific production goals.

These indices were developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specifically working with Dr. Matt Spangler, Associate Professor of Animal Science/Extension Beef Genetics Specialist, and Animal Breeding and Genetics graduate student Katie Ochsner.

“These two economic indices allow users of Beefmaster genetics to select seedstock based on their genetic potential for profit and alleviate the cumbersome nature of sorting through scores of individual EPDs,” said Dr. Spangler. “Producers should clearly define their production goals and use the index that best fits them. Use of the incorrect index could lead to undesired responses given the two objectives (terminal vs maternal) emphasize different traits.”

The $T index is designed to assist buyers in selecting range bulls that will excel in live performance, feedyard and value adding, grid driving carcass traits. $T is the ideal tool for the retained ownership rancher or commercial cow herds that are aligned with supply chains that demand added performance, efficiency and carcass merit.

The $M index goes to the heart of what every commercial cattleman demands in today’s market. The Beefmaster maternal index is best explained as the dollar profit per cow exposed due to calf weaning weight accounting for costs associated with cow maintenance. The beef industry has realized the value of Beefmaster influenced heterosis and $M is another tool that will help ranchers leverage heterosis to produce more productive replacement females.

It is important for ranchers to know the difference between these two indices. $T will help cattlemen select for high performing, fast growing genetics that by their very nature tend to be large, faster growing animals. $M should be used if a rancher is producing replacement females and is concerned with fertility, cow maintenance and associated costs, while adding weaning weight to the calf crop.

Cattle producers can access and review index values on the Beefmaster animal search database.

For more information or questions please contact Beefmaster Breeders United at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

Learn more and see examples at Beefmaster $Values Indices