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Wienk Charolais Annual Sale
Genetics
We strongly believe that genetics are an investment. Genetics, from your cowherd and your choice of bulls, are what set
the ceiling on the potential of your calf crop. Feeding, disease prevention/care, management, etc. can only DETRACT
from the upper limit of your calf crop’s potential; they will NEVER ADD to it. Proper management, nutrition, and healthy
calves will help your operation reach toward that genetic ceiling, but never past it. Genetics set the playing field and are
the first step to profit. We follow this philosophy with our herd and strive to present genetics that will continue to raise the
bar on your genetic ceiling.
PhenotyPe
WCR bulls are bred to travel ground and breed cows problem-free. Traits that cannot be quantified such as feet & legs,
muscle shape & dimension, and disposition are of the up most importance in our program. Visitors are always welcome
at our place to evaluate our cattle in person. Below is a chart of the average actual information on the bulls in this sale:
since only 70% of the bulls on test make the sale, we are truly offering a top cut of prospects for your review.
GenotyPe
Balanced cattle that continue to push the Charolais breed forward is the goal of our program. Some numbers to consider:
BW WW
yW
Milk
tM
110 WcR sale Bull Averages:
-0.2
29
52
12.6
27
charolais Breed Averages:
0.7
25
43
7.0
19
these bulls, as group, rank vs. the breed:
Top 35% Top 30% Top 30% Top 15%
Top 15%
# of bulls in the top 10% of the breed:
29
24
23
33
50
GenoMics
We continue to monitor the advances in technology that will be of benefit for our program and our customers.
Genomics research and application is changing constantly. The American-International Charolais Association is cur-
rently working to develop Genomic Enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) by building a ‘training population’ of the most used
bulls and females in the breed. Through various research studies, over 50 WCR animals already have 50K genomics
tests on file with more WCR bred bulls on the ‘desired’ list. All of these WCR animals will be included in the training
population in the coming months.
Furthermore, we have been involved with the USDA Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) as they further research
the use of genomics within the beef industry:
“Wienk Charolais is one of the early pioneers in how beef cattle genomics maybe used on farms and ranches in
the future. Wienk Charolais’s valuable contributions to building this knowledge started in 2009 with involvement
of the Weight Trait Project (WTP). At the invitation of the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC),
twenty-four seedstock producers from the midwest representing seven breeds were selected to demonstrat the use of
parentage testing, aid in the evaluation of technological advancements and procedures, validate heifer reproductive
discoveries, and contribute to the growing knowledge of how to incorporate Molecular Breeding Values (MBVs) into
National Cattle Evaluations. The latter result in genomically enhanced EPDs on traits of economic importance.
Their continuing participation in the WTP has allowed the Wienks to progeny test sires in the the USDA
National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Cows are calving the second group
of calves sired by Wienk bulls at USMARC this spring and the first group of calves (fall born) are weaned and
about to go on feed in the USMARC individual feed intake facility. The goal of the project is to identify the genetic
markers associated with feed intake across multiple breeds. Furthermore, the Wienk’s have continually submitted cow
inventory, breeding, and calving records on their 2009 born heifers so the project can look at relationships between
feed efficiency and cow reproductive performance.”
- Bonnie Long, Manager - UNL Weight Trait Project
BW:
205 Adj:
WW Ratio:
365 Adj:
YW Ratio:
Gain:
91.6 lbs
700 lbs
104.4
1274 lbs
102.3
3.6
EXCELLENCE. INTE
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