fbpx

Hybrid Vigor

2021 Sale Bull Percentages

Our Herd vs. Breed Average

Customer Testmoniaals

At River Creek, our SimAngus bulls are built to work on Angus cows. The best thing about hybrid vigor is that it’s cumulative. As you begin to crossbreed, your cowherd will be more fertile, produce more milk and have longer longevity – resulting in a 25% increase in lifetime cow productivity 1. Cundiff and Gregory, 1999 2020 SALE BULLS

2017 SALE BULLS

89

Rank in Top 25% (or better) for API

98
Had an above breed average API EPD
91
Avg. Rank for API

River Creek Herd vs. Breed Average

All Purpose Index (API) EPD

River Creek herd ranks in top 11.2% for API

Improvements in production from heterosis may be captured by having both a crossbred calf and a crossbred cow. The following two tables summarize the effects of individual heterosis (crossbred calf) and maternal heterosis (crossbred cow). These tables include results from numerous crossbreeding studies conducted in the Southeast and Midwest involving several breeds. The advantage of the crossbred calf is two-fold: an increase in calf livability coupled with an increase in growth rate. Perhaps the most important advantage for crossbreeding is realized in the crossbred cow. Maternal heterosis results in improvements in cow fertility, calf livability, calf weaning weight, and cow longevity. Collectively, these improvements result in a significant advantage in pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed, and superior lifetime production for crossbred females.

Individual Heterosis: Advantage of the Crossbred Calf 1

Trait

Observed Improvement

% Heterosis

Calving rate, %

3.2

4.4

Survival to weaning, %

1.4

1.9

Birth weight, lb.

1.7

2.4

Weaning weight, lb.

16.3

3.9

ADG, lb./d

.08

2.6

Yearling weight, lb.

29.1

3.8

1 Adapted from Cundiff and Gregory, 1999.

Maternal Heterosis: Advantage of the Crossbred Cow 2

Trait

Observed Improvement

% Heterosis

Calving rate, %

3.5

3.7

Survival to weaning, %

.8

1.5

Birth weight, lb.

1.6

1.8

Weaning weight, lb.

18.0

3.9

ADG, lb./d

.08

2.6

Longevity, yr.

1.36

16.2

Cow Lifetime Production:

No. Calves

.97

17.0

Cumulative Wean. Wt., lb.

600

25.3

2 Adapted from Cundiff and Gregory, 1999.

Over the past several years we have utilized River Creek Farms purebred Simmental bulls on our Angus based commercial cow herd. During that time we have seen increased weaning weights and overall animal performance as a result of the hybrid vigor provided by their genetics. This increase in profitability is coupled with unparalleled calving ease and animal disposition. We couldn’t be more satisfied with their genetics and would recommend River Creek Farms to anyone.

Keith Mitchell, Mitchell Farms

Rosebud, TX

We have used your bulls for over 25 years. We like the calving ease and solid weaning weights the bulls have added to our herd. We have also been very pleased with the SimAngus bulls and the cross breeding traits that have improved the calves.

Tim Woodruff

Wamego, KS