Executive Summary
on the Total Maternal EPD rather than
just solely looking at the milk EPD.
The BOLT single-step method of
weekly EPD analysis is a big change in
the way we do business compared to
years past. We know that the system
is more powerful with so many animal
records being utilized across the
cooperating breeds at IGS. Additional
performance records are utilized as
information is linked and it flows
up and down the pedigree just like
the genomics information. This also
means EPDs can move around when
an abundance of performance records
are turned in on a sire’s progeny,
which is utilized to help create a more
accurate EPD for a trait. Rather than
seeing those changes twice a year,
cattle can shift when an abundance
of performance data is turned in on a
sire’s progeny. Sometimes it improves
the EPD, and sometimes it doesn’t.
We need to continually remember
that the BOLT system is a combination
of utilizing 3 different components.
Genomic marker effects, performance
data and the pedigree-progeny
information. They are all combined
across the multibreed evaluation
to create an animal’s EPD. The
genomic component is also more
powerful now given the fact the
actual genomic markers, which are
identified to contribute or inhibit an
EPD trait, are actually utilized rather
than a blended (1-10) MBV score.
It is important to remember that change
is not done for the sake of change, it is
done to remain competitive and provide
breeders the best tools available to
produce cattle that are in high demand.
After 40 years in the cattle industry, I
know of no business that is tougher than
the cattle business to remain profitable.
The things we can control and have
strong oversight on like our genetic
production, is what has kept people in
10 | FEBRUARY 2019
business over the years; along with a
strong sense of determination and the
willingness to adapt to get the job done.
When we look at our shift to BOLT, it is
important to keep in mind that when
we compare Limousin cattle across
the board for the 17 traits, they rank
extremely well in the vast majority of
EPDs when compared to other breeds.
This is due to the previously mentioned
attention that Limousin breeders have
devoted to their record keeping and
use of EPDs over the years. It is why
they now rank number one in docility
and excel in weight trait data, calving
ease, cutability, and stayability in the
cowherd. Yes, we had a downward
shift in milk with the base average at
21 pounds, which has been hard for
breeders to get used to along with
some re-ranking that came with the
effect of the genomic markers for milk,
but we also know that a 27 lb. breed
average was too high when many other
breeds were between 20-23 lbs. Some
breeds are actually working to get their
milk number down because of the
maintenance requirements of the cow
up until weaning.
Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle work
exceptionally well in today’s cattle
industry, particularly when a commercial
operation is utilizing a crossbreeding
program with an English based cowherd
to generate cattle that excel in maternal
traits, superior carcass and feed
efficiency advantages. The tools that are
in place for seedstock breeders to make
additional and faster genetic progress
will allow commercial cattlemen
to reap the economic benefit of
utilizing Limousin cattle in an effective
crossbreeding program that pays back
in real dollars in today’s commercial beef
cattle markets and in numerous branded
and value-added programs. I