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Alberto Bailleres, a highly successful businessman and rancher, passed away on February 2nd, 2022 in Mexico City.

Bailleres, Mr. B as he was referred to endearingly by those close to him, was born on August 22nd, 1931 in Mexico City. His family owned a ranch since before the Mexican Revolution. By this heritage, the love of the land, cattle and wildlife was instilled in him at an early age. He had seven children with his wife Teresa Gual de Bailleres.

Mr. B studied economy and graduated from Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in 1957. He later became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the institution. Mr. B was the majority owner of Grupo Bal, which is a group of companies based in Mexico. Once he had the capital, Mr. B purchased a ranch near Guanajuato, MX in 1970. This purchase began what was to become Flying B Ranches. The beef cattle operations include Chaparrosa Ranch (La Pryor, TX), Rancho del Cielo (Kent, TX), Rancho Margaritas and Rancho San Geronimo (Múzquiz, Coahuila, MX), Rancho Begoña (Guanajuato, MX), Rancho Xajay (Hidalgo, MX) and Finca Zalduendo (Extremadura, SP).

Shortly after his purchase of the Rancho Margaritas in 1988, Mr. B began to evaluate the future of his cattle breeding program. After extensive observations of different breeds and operations, he decided go with Beefmasters, recognizing their maternal characteristics. In 1989, Mr. B purchased 200 Beefmaster heifers to start his herd. Since then, the herd has grown exponentially in both the United States and Mexico. He heavily invested in good genetics motivated by the need he saw to improve cattle performance with in his own herd and for the breed and industry overall. He was awarded numerous honors through various organizations for his efforts.

Mr. B enjoyed breeding good Quarter Horses on Chaparrosa Ranch. He produced several top performers including two World Champion Heel horses and a World Champion Tie-Down horse. His love of the land was evident in his stewardship efforts. He believed in leaving the land better than he found it, implementing various brush control methods, investing in water distribution, infrastructure and extensive wildlife management.

Mr. B’s favorite pastime was certainly hunting and was an avid outdoorsman having hunted all over the world. He had a fondness for Whitetail deer. He won buck contests and achieved the Texas Slam for many years. Mr. B harvested the #5 Non-Typical Whitetail Buck and the last buck he harvested is the new state record Typical Whitetail Buck.

Mr. B was involved in many philanthropy efforts. Through his ranches, he had several collaborative relationships and memberships with various industry organizations such as Beefmaster Breeders United, Asociacion Mexicana de Criadores de Ganado Beefmaster, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, American Quarter Horse Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas Wildlife Association among others.

Mr. B would often say “vivir es incredible” or “living is incredible”. Such was his life.

April 16, 2022 – Crockett, TX

• 3 Bulls $8,750 avg $2,917
• 4 Pair $24,000 avg $6,000
• 14 Bred $64,350 avg $4,597
• 28 Open $92,100 avg $3,290
• 2 Pick $16,000 avg $8,000
• 51 Total Lots $205,200 avg $4,024

Top Bulls

• Lot 24- Sire, EMS Captain Tuff, consigned by H G and Jill Griffin, Anna, TX; Sold to Jerald Riggle, Tyler, TX for $3,750.
• Lot 23- Sire, EMS Captain Tuff, consigned by H G and Jill Griffin, Anna, TX; Sold to Scott Brister, Apple Springs, TX for $3,000.
• Lot 45- Sire, Sire Pro, consigned by Thickety Creek Orange, TX: Sold to Wes Autry, Lexington, TN for $2,000.

Top Females

• Lot 19- Pair, Calf sire, EMS Bet On Ozzie, consigned by Corey and Deanna Emmons, Fairfield, TX; Sold to New Relic Ranch, San Antonio, TX for $10,000.
• Lot 43- Pair, Calf sire, EMS Isaac, consigned by Tandem S Ranch, Huntsville, TX; Sold to Joe Nuche, Bryan, TX for $8,000.
• Lot 39- Bred to SM Looking For Love, consigned by Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, LA: Sold to Steve and Cindy Emmons, Fairfield, TX for $8,000.
• Lot 47-Bred to EMSNFF Amazing Britches, consigned by Richard Statser, Mesquite, TX: Sold to Corey and Deanna Emmons, Fairfield, TX for $6,750.
• Lot 50- Open, Sire, EMS King George, consigned by Glaser Bar G, Rogers, TX; Sold to Jeremy Dueitt, Huntsville, TX for $6,500.

Volume Buyers-Jeremy Dueitt, Huntsville, TX; Tuma Cattle Co., Normangee, TX; Neal and Faye Copeland, Taylor, LA

Auctioneer- Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, TX
Sale Manager- 3G Cattle Sales And Consultation, Franklin, GA

April 9, 2022
Springfield, MO

• 36 Senior Bulls $97,000 Avg $2,695
• 16 Yearling Bulls $73,350 Avg $4,585
• 25 Opens $73,200 Avg $2,928
• 9 Bred Heifers $24,600 Avg $2,733
• 1 Bred Cow $2,000
• 10 Pairs $30,500 Avg $3,050
• 97 Total Lots $300,650 Avg $3,100

Top Bulls

• Lot 49- Sire, CJ’s Game Changer, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch, Lockwood, MO; Sold to A23, Thailand for $28,500.
• Lot 20- Sire, WPR’s Polled Legacy, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch, Lockwood, MO; Sold to Raymond Rasor, Peace Valley, MO for $5,000.
• Lot 59- Sire, Black Mac, consigned by Wesley Hood, Gently, AR; Sold to Jim Bradford, Grove, OK for $5,000.
• Lot 56- Sire, Big Tex, consigned by J-T Farm, Henderson, TN; Sold to Clay Hutson, Falcon, MO for
  $4,500.
• Lot 61- Sire, K-138, consigned by Cedar Springs, Conway, MO; Sold to Glen Rhodes, Sulpher, LA for $4,500.

Top Females

• Lot 69- Open. Sire, EMS Moses, consigned by Shooting Star, Niangua, MO; Sold to Cedar Springs, Conway, MO for $7,100.
• Lot 70- Open, Sire, FMC Fkint, consigned by Hidden Hollow, Talequah, OK; Sold to Rick Knox, Smithton, MO for $6,000.
• Lot 87- Open, Sire, Addiction 1, consigned by Jim Sanders, Barlow, KY: Sold to Glen Rhodes, Sulpher, LA for $4,200.
• Lot 95- Pair, calf sire, Mr CJ 1975, consigned by Kevin Buetow, Coffeyville, KS: Sold to Kyle Kropf, Otterville, MO for $4,200.
• Lot 99- Pair, calf sire, Buster 261, consigned by Rod Hennegin, Maryville, MO; Sold to Brian Engleman, Checotah, OK for $4,000.

Volume Buyers
A23 Ranch, Thailand; Julie Massengale, Rogersville, MO; Clay Hutson, Falcon, MO; Glen Rhodes, Sulpher, LA; Cedar Springs, Conway, MO

Auctioneer- Charly Cummings, Yates Center, KS
Sale Manager- Mike Green, 3G Sales and Consultation, Franklin, GA

Houston, TX

March 4, 2022

• 24 BULLS – $123,000 – AVG $5125
• 9 BRED – $39,500 – AVG $4390
• 16 OPEN – $83,500 – AVG $5219
• 2 3NI – $7,000 – AVG $3500
• 2 PICKS – $52,500 – AVG $26,250
• EMBRYOS – $3,150
• 53 LOTS – $308,650 – AVG $5824

TOP BULLS

• LOT 34- SIRE, CAIN BENfLEY, CONSIGNED BY SWINGING B RANCH, AXTELL, TX; SOLD TO BILL CARR, LAREDO, TX FOR $15,000.
• LOT 49A- SIRE, WB SOLUTION, CONSIGNED BY BODIE EMMONS, FAIRFIELD, TX; SOLD TO CLAY MILLS, MT. AIRY, NC FOR $12,000.
• LOT 30- SIRE, BIG TEX, CONSIGNED BY JT FARMS, HENDERSON, TN; SOLD TO JOE POSES, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX FOR $10,000.

TOP FEMALES

• LOT 14- OPEN, SIRE, CJ’S BERNARD, CONSIGNED BY NEXTGEN CATTLE CO., PAXICO, KS; SOW TO SOUTHERN GRACE, DANVILLE, GA FOR $26,000.
• LOT 27B- OPEN, SIRE, CF RIPTIDE, CONSIGNED BY STEVEN ANDERSON, AMARILLO, TX; SOLD TO LYSSY BEEFMASTERS, SAN ANTONIO, TX FOR $22,000.
• LOT 9B- OPEN, SIRE, CF SUGAR BRITCHES, CONSIGNED BY STEVEN ANDERSON, AMARILLO, TX; SOLD TO LUCIANO MARTINEZ, MEXICO FOR $16,000.

VOLUME BUYERS: LUCIANO MARTINEZ, MEXICO; SOUTHERN GRACE, DANVILLE, GA; JOE POSES, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX.

AUCTIONEER/CO SALE MANAGER-ANTIIONY MIHALSKI, SAN ANTONIO, TX
SALE MANAGER- MIKE GREEN 3G SALES AND SERVICE, FRANKLIN, GA

Groesbeck, TX – 3/26/22

60 Total Bull Lots – Gross: $284,050.00 – Avg: $4,734.17

• Lot 43 – EMS 079 – EMS King George x Catchin a Dream – $12,000 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: McCasland Farms, TX
• Lot 47 – EMS 014 – VFF Elvis x Magic Headlines – $12,000 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: Zipperer Beefmasters, FL.
• Lot 53 – EMS 9023 – Bonfire x Catchin a Dream – $12,000 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: BPJ Farms, TX.
• Lot 55 – 1919 – EMS Ring of Fire x Miss CJ 5/16 – $11,000 – Consignor: Bar M Land & Timber – Purchased by: F Bar Ranch, TX.
• Lot 32 – EMS Bubba’s High Caliber – EMS Bet on Bubba x EMS Queen of Dreams – $8,500 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: Myron Colley, GA.
• Lot 30 – HCC 5/0 – EMS /VFF 6014 x HCC 2/9 – $8,000 – Consignor: Haywire Cattle Co. – Purchased by: Fisher Farms, TX.
• Lot 13 – EMS Bubba’s HiredGun – EMS Bet on Bubba x EMS Pistol Annie – $7,500 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: Flatt Family Farm, MO.
• Lot 5 – EMS 062 – EMS Johnny Cash x R4R’s 002/2 – $7,000 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: Josh Stanley, TX.
• Lot 62 – EMS 979 – VFF Elvis x EMS Buff’s Sugar Pie – $6,500 – Consignor: Emmons Ranch – Purchased by: Darrell Franks, LA.

Volume Buyers: Myron Colley, GA.; F Bar Ranch, TX.; Schutts Land & Cattle, TX.; Cody Brittan, TX.; Zipperer Beefmasters, FL.; BPJ Farms, TX.;  McCasland Farms, TX.; Polk Farms, AR.

Auctioneer – Anthony Mihalski    Sale Consultant – 3 G Sales & Service

Sale Manager – Robbins Cattle Consulting & Marketing, Bruce Robbins

Houston, Texas

3/4/2022

• 18 Open Heifer Lots: Gross = $91,150.00, Avg = $5,063.89
• 18 Bred Heifer Lots: Gross = $82,250.00, Avg = $4,569.44
• 3 Pair Lots: Gross = $15,750.00, Avg = $5,250.00
• 11 Bull Lots: Gross = $34,300.00, Avg = $3,118.18
• 1 Semen Lot: Gross = $21,540.00, Avg = $21,540.00
• 1 Frozen Embryo Lot: Gross = $19,975.00, Avg = $19,975.00
• 52 Total Lots: Gross = $264,965.00, Avg = $5,095.48

Open Heifers

• Lot 47 – NG Ms Revolution 509H32 – CJ’s Revolution x CJ’s Flint Hills Diamond 1702 – $10,000 – Consignor: Nextgen Cattle Co. – Purchased by: Jon Rhodes, TX
• Lot 48 – RHR 102 – CF 585/6 x CJ’s Bonfire’s Gem 46/17  – $8,500 – Consignor: Roadhouse Ranch – Purchased by: Jon Rhodes, TX
• Lot 49 – RHR 94 – CF Brock x Milagro 803 – $8,000 – Consignor: Roadhouse Ranch – Purchased by: Jon Rhodes, TX.
• Lot 2A – ANS Crystal 680 – Cf Sugar Britches x EMS Sugar is Good 268  – $7,500  – Consignor: Anderson Beefmasters – Purchased by: Luciano Martinez, MX
• Lot 22 – BF 2119 – CJ’s Revolution x CF 668/6 – $7,000 – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Santa Ana Ranch, TX

Bred Heifers

• Lot 12 – BF 2002 – Cf Sugar Britches x Tiger Time 477/9 bred to BF Cracker Jack – $9,500 – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Salvador Perez, MX
• Lot 19 – BF 2015 – Cf Sugar Britches x Red Tiger Lady 94/06 Bred to BF Cracker Jack – $9,000 – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Rodrigo Rodriguez, TX
• Lot 13 – BF 2003 – Cf Dream Catcher x Red Tiger Lady 94/06 bred to BF Cracker Jack – $8,500 – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Everrardo Canales, MX

Bulls

• Lot 32 – J&T 183 – Cf Sugar Britches x Jacklin L2 94/10 – $5,500 – Consignor: J&T Farm – Purchased by: Will Davis, TX
• Lot 53 – WPR Thunder 2099 – WPR Get Ya Some x WPR 1242 – $6,500 – Consignor: Wallen Prairie Ranch – Purchased by: Tyler Crawford, KS

Pairs

• Lot 9 – Miss CJ 48/17 – EMS Ring of Fire x CJ’s Diamond Emerald with Heifer calf by CJ’s Tradition – $6,000 – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Brock Clay, MS
• Lot 52 – SS 79/16 – Logan x SWB Shania T with heifer calf by EMS Issac – $5,750 – Consignor: Tandem S – Purchased by: Rancho Pruneda, MX

Frozen Embryos

• Lot 60H – Logan x Cf 530 – $250 each – Consignor: Crooked Bar C – Purchased by: Romeo Ozuna, TX
• Lot 60K – Cf Sugar Britches x Dreamtime 87/06 – $250 each – Consignor: Crooked Bar C – Purchased by: Caleb Vice, LA
• Lot 60L – WB Solution x Dreamtime 87/06 – $250 each – Consignor: Crooked Bar C – Purchased by: Brock Smith, LA
• Lot 63D – L2 Captain Sugar x Cf Super Sexy 061 – $250 each – Consignor: Rockin H – Purchased by: Ray Helton , AL.

Semen

• Lot 55 – Cf Sugar Britches – $350 per unit – Consignor: Bailey Farms – Purchased by: Greg McKee, LA
• Lot 57A – Cf Sugar Britches – $350 per unit – Consignor: Kreger Ranch – Purchased by: Lee Compton, TX.
• Lot 57B – L2 Synergy – $350 per unit – Consignor: Kreger Ranch – Purchased by: Kirk Schlemmer, TX
• Lot 57C – Spartacus – $350 per unit – Consignor: Kreger Ranch- Purchased by: Rodrigo Rodriguez

Volume Buyers: Jon Rhodes, TX.; Will Davis, TX.; Everrardo Canales, MX.; Luciano Martinez, MX.; San Gabriel, TX.; Rodrigo Rodriguez, TX.; Hans Wittenburg, TX.

Auctioneer – Anthony Mihalski

Sale Manager – Robbins Cattle Consulting & Marketing, Bruce Robbins

Feburary 19, 2022 in Edcouch, Texas

31 Bred Heifers: Gross = $153,000.00 – Average = $4,935.48

18 Open Heifers: Gross = $93,750.00 – Average = $5,208.33

7 Pairs: Gross = $33,500.00 – Average = $4,785.71

3 Bulls: Gross = $7,750.00 – Average = $2,583.33

59 Total Lots: Gross = $288,000.00 – Average = $4,881.36

Bred Heifers

• Lot 30 – SAR 9089 Sugar Jersey – Polled Jersey Boy x Maxy Sugar Bred to WPR Wide Package – $11,500
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Ray & Kathy Walther, TX

• Lot 31 – SAR 9088 Cleopatra’s Fire – CJ’s Surefire x CJ’s Cloeopatra’s Baby Bred to WPR Wide Package – $10,500
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Cameron Cox, TX
• Lot 9 – SAR 9118 Red Gold Package – WPR’s Polled Red Package x 10/28 Bred to WPR Wide Package – $10,500
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Ray & Kathy Walther, TX
• Lot 28 – SAR 9093 Secretaries Package – WPR’s Polled Red Package x Mrs. Secretary Bred to WPR Wide Package – $9,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: LaJoya Ranch, MX
• Lot 60 – WW 015 Patty Loveless – WPR’s Renegade x FR 632 Bred to ANS Made Right – $8,500
  • Consignor: WW Beefmaster – Purchased by: Juan Medina, CA
• Lot 32 – SAR 9121 Miss Dee Package – WPR’s Polled Red Package x Polled Miss Dee Bred to WPR Wide Package -$8,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Jon Rhodes, TX
• Lot 33 – SAR 100 McAlester Girl – McAlester x SWB Girlfriend Bred to WPR Wide Package – $8,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: LaJoya Ranch, MX

Open Heifers

• Lot 13 – SAR 2096 Maxy Package  – WPR’s Polled Red Package x Maxy Sugar – $10,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Ray & Kathy Walther, TX
• Lot 12 – SAR 2098 Dream Package – WPR’s Polled Red Package x Polled Red Dream – $8,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Collier Farms, TX
• Lot 18 – SAR 2076 Giovanna’s Package – WPR Polled Red Package x Giovanna – $7,500
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Jon Rhodes, TX
• Lot 1 – SAR 1021 – CJ’s Captain Superior x Polled Canadian – $7,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Billy Botard, TX

Pair

• Lot 35 – T5 823/7 Satin Love – Cf Adonis x TFS Red Satin with Heifer Calf by WPR’s Wide Package Bred to SAR Polled Ribeye Package – $7,000
  • Consignor: Santa Ana – Purchased by: Shelly Ballard, TX

Volume Buyers:

Jon Rhodes, TX.; Ray & Kathy Walther, TX.; Juan Medina, CA.; Lajoya Ranch, MX.; Cesar Vera, TX.;  Mike Guerra, TX.; Cameron Cox, TX.

Auctioneer & Sale Consultant – Anthony Mihalski

Sale Manager – Robbins Cattle Consulting & Marketing, Bruce Robbins

U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) supported Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) in gaining EMP funding of $145K in 2009. The program ran from 2009-2012 to introduce this American breed to beef producers in Thailand. Education to explain Beefmaster benefits was the first step.  Missions for breeders from US to Thai regional cattle shows for local and ag university seminars were conducted and a series of educational articles were developed and published in various journals from 2010 to 2011.  Reverse missions were developed for key Thai breeders and publishers to visit US cattle shows and conduct ranch tours to BBU breeders across Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.

Initial health restrictions for frozen genetics were a restrictive obstacle and extended the time for the Thai DLD to approve our first semen shipment for import permitting.  USLGE worked with BBU for a workshop at Texas A&M University that allowed USDA and US Animal Health Officials work with DLD. This led to acceptance of CSS credentials and streamlined the protocols for testing and export. The work on protocols also affected later live animal export discussions.

The initial semen tank shipped included about 3,200 semen straws from several leading BBU member bulls. Of that amount, 1,000 straws were donated by 10 BBU breeders. Two members agreed to recover the cost of tank and shipping by selling the additional 2,200 straws. DLD assisted in distributing the donated semen to farmers in all provinces of Thailand. The first Beefmaster crossed calf was born in Thailand in December 2010.  As the initial calves matured over the next 2-3 years to deliver progeny for feeding and harvest, the demand outpaced supply.

Some breeders distributed the semen over 2-3 years, so the returns began around 2015-2016 when the mature calves started to be harvested. Breed demand strengthened during that period with live cattle coming into demand and live animal exports becoming the norm for the more influential breeders in the years to follow. Thai breeders started importing live animals in 2015. Most of the live animals were show animals from major cattle shows in USA.  As the cattle adapted well in Thailand, the shipments grew from a couple of large pallets of 6-8 head to mature bulls, pairs, bred and open heifers in packages of 100 or more per shipment.

DLD government assistance procurement has solicited 5-8 bids of 10,000 semen straws per year over the past 2-5 years, in addition to private semen sales. The pricing is usually $8-10 per straw. Elgin Breeding Service is the primary US shipper to Thailand, and they have reported that the shipments are becoming regular for individual breeders and Thai breeder associations.

In 2020, farmers and Dept of Livestock Development imported over 100 live animals and 10,000 units of semen. Top genomic seedstock are now in demand with export and cargo value exceeding $1 million for livestock and $250,000 for frozen genetics (semen and embryos) since 2009. 2020 exports were up to $920,450.00 and year to date 2021 reported sales from 5 producers total over $1.7 million and growing.

None of this could be possible without the funding provided by FAS and cooperation between USLGE and BBU. This FAS funded project has been used as a model for projects in other countries. FAS funding allowed BBU to develop a new method of breed introduction that is improving exports to other countries by BBU.

By Lance Bauer, BBU Director of Breed Improvement

As we begin a new year, it’s a great time to reflect on the last year and plan. As a breed Beefmasters experienced a great year and the demand for our cattle is high, which has been great and a testament to the work that everyone has put in as breeders. As a breed we have seen a trend in the right direction in terms of performance measures and EPDs. As we continue to move forward as a breed it is important to realize that EPDs are the best genetic selection tool that is available. An EPD is an expected progeny difference, or how we expect one animal’s calves to perform on average against another animal’s calves.

When evaluating cattle, it is important to realize that phenotype refers to all observable or measurable traits. This means that all weight and carcass traits as well as any structural or visual evaluation is considered phenotype. Phenotype is made up or genotype and environment, and the simple equation is Phenotype= Genotype + Environment (P=G+E). Genotype is simply the genes an individual possesses.  Genotype and environment can both be broken down further into different components. An EPD is designed to take out the environmental effects so that the predictions made are based on the genotype of the animal. This is done because environmental effects are not inherited by offspring.

If an animal is developed in an environment where it has all its nutrient requirements met or exceeded, it should be able to express its genetic potential better. Environment is not altering the genetic potential that we are estimating. I grew up in an environment where I had all the nutrients that I required (plus some), if I had grown up in a different environment with less nutrients, I would probably not be the same size as I am now, but my genetic potential would be the same and my ability to pass on those genetics would be the same. Taking the environment out of the equation is why sometimes animals that have “outstanding” individual performance may not excel in their EPDs, or animals with what some would consider to be lower individual performance have better EPDs.

EPDs also consider all data in the BBU database and all relationships within the database. All animals in the database are related somehow, no matter how distant. Using these relationships helps in the calculation of EPDs by establishing genetic relatedness. EPDs are more accurate than analyzing individual phenotypes and using the phenotypes of parents because these ratios and phenotypes still have an environmental effect to them. Therefore, it is important to have an accurate pedigree and preferably a genotype on animals, to make this portion of EPD calculation more accurate.

As we move into the next year and continue to focus on continual progress, remember that EPDs are the most accurate tool that we have for genetic selection of animals. By using EPDs the environmental effects on phenotype are taken out so that producers can use just the genetic portion of the P=G+E equation in the selection of animals. Environment can play a large role in the observed phenotype, especially if an animal has all it needs to reach its genetic potential vs one that may not have enough to reach its true genetic potential. This is the reason that some people say an animal’s observed phenotype does not match the EPD, the other reason is that all data and relationships are used to calculate EPDs. Remember houses are not built with simple handsaws and hammers anymore, they are built with the best and most efficient tools available, so it is important in cattle breeding to use the best tools available for genetic selection.