BULLS OF DISTINCTION
“Buying a bull is a genetic decision and not a financial one.” (Gerhard van Zyl. LBW)
"Visual analysis tells you what an animal appears to be, his pedigree tells you what he should be, his performance and progeny tells you what he actually is."(American Simmental Association)
The Econotech Simmentaler Herd
The Karoo is very kind to those that respect it in all its nuances. Our family on Doornbult-Boven have learnt this lesson time and again the past two centuries.
Our herd of Simmentaler is a product of these lessons - farm for profit by adapting your animals to the environment and not the other way round.
Fertility and calving ease are most important when farming in the Karoo. Breeding traits that underpin these characteristics are bigger scrotum circumference (SS) (highly correlated with earlier calving of heifers), shorter days to calving (DC), moderate milk and a lighter cow frame (MCW). The condition status of our herd (as measured by EMA, Rib and Rump Fat and Marbling) help also to raise their fertility. Lastly, one has to stick meticulously to those cows that out-calf and out-last the rest of the herd.
On the farm everything does not always work out according to the book. A graph of our ebv’s since 1999 shows that we managed to increase calving ease considerable in relation to the average of the SA crop. Fertility as measured by the progress with Days to Calving is also commendable. This can be ascribed to our stringent culling regime re heifers and cows which do not calf within our parameters. A second graph on condition traits shows that we are also on track regarding a higher Rib and Rump fat measurements. Our aim to increase the EMA (eye muscle area) or Marbling (IMF) of our herd is not yet so successful. This is at present one of our focus breeding objectives. Another focus area is to keep on increasing growth, but with lowering our cows’ mature weight.
The outcome of this breeding philosophy is that our heifers calf on average at 24 months. This is followed by our cows who calf on average at 352 days (the ICP (Inter Calving Period)). Growth is, of course, also important
The attached third graph shows how we manage to bend the performance curve thrice. Firstly, by having a higher Calving Ease (CE)/lower milk as well as high scrotum size (SS), secondly, a higher growth at 400 and 600 days, but with an average MCW in comparison to the SA 2022 crop, and, thirdly, an average EMA (we hope to increase this trait in future), but with very high Rib and Rump Fat body condition traits.
Our breeding philosophy is in line with Prof. Bob Weaber’s teachings. During his regular visits to the LRF Stockman School he emphasized the need to fit the cow to its environment. He mentioned various breeding traits that should be in place, such as:
· Cow frame/weight and milk production determine their nutrient requirements, which again should be in line with the environment; and
· Body condition of cows have a major influence on their pregnancy rate.
We add to these principles the need to select for a high Scrotal Size (SS) as well as Calving Ease (CED and CEM). Furthermore, we utilise the findings of Australian research regarding the need to select for the various elements of Body Condition, namely REA (rib eye area)(or EMA, eye muscle area), Rib and Rump Fat as well as IMF (intra muscular fat or marbling).
Finally, outstanding cattle come from outstanding cows. Our reward from the LRF for the John Deere Simmentaler Cow Group for 2023 underscores this statement.
Our bulls represent the best of our breeding policy. In addition they excel under veld conditions – only the most hardy ones are kept as stud bulls. Furthermore, each of our Classes of 2020 and 2021 Bulls has four or more dams in its pedigree which have performed exceptional regarding all the traits mentioned above.
Econotech Dan S, PJD1743
Senior seedstock sire
Dan, a son of the exceptional bul, Simberg Zolerz P, has cemented these reproduction traits in our herd. Two of his sons are members of the Class of 2020, namely Kai Kai and Brand.
Dan, PJD1743 S, demonstrates his curve bending ability in three different ways. Firstly, Dan surpasses the average SA Simmentaler Herd regarding calving ease (higher) and birth weight (lower). In a similar fashion Dan improves fertility as shown by his EBV’s for scrotal size (SS) (higher), but with solid growth (400 days in top 25%) and a lower cow weight (MCW) (in the lower 35% of the SA 2022 crop). Thirdly, Dan is also tops regarding muscling and condition (measured by its eye muscle area (EMA) and rib and rump fat). The latter attributes help him to maintain his condition under extensive grazing conditions.
The accompanying graph shows the ability of Dan to bend growth and fertility curves. Furthermore, Dan’s pedigree includes illustrious sires: two German sires (Eisenherz and Metro) as well as prominent SA sires (Blinkbou Herz, Kalhei and Profeet). The progeny of these sires has been tested across many herds and numerous calves. We have the privilege to see the benefits of these sires in our herd.
Econotech Simmentaler Bulls: Class of 2020
Reproduction traits, which excel under various veld conditions, are the main profit drivers of cattle farming. Our Class of 2020 Bulls are prime examples of these breeding objectives. Everyone excels, therefore, in Calving Ease, Fertility and Body Condition.
A sorting excercise with emphasis on calving ease and reproduction was done on all the active Simmentaler bulls (February 2024). The criteria were based on the top 10% ebv for CED, Birth Weight, SS, DC, Rib and Rump Fat and, lastly, SBI (Selection Breeders Index). Ranking was according to the ebv for 200 days. Sixteen bulls were ranked. Four of these bulls were from Econotech Simmentaler, namely 1 from the 2020 class, 1 (2021) and two from the 2023 class.
The attached table gives more details on every bull. More information on the pedigree, breeding traits according to ebv’s as well as the status of each bull versus the SA 2022 crop, follow below.
Econotech Kai Kai, PJD2015 P (SOLD)
A good bull comes from a good cow family. Four of Kai Kai’s female ancestors had eight or more calves and two had six or more calves in their respective lifetimes. His mother, PJD1456 P, produced another stud sire as well.
Kai Kai excels for its high calving ease (and low birth weight) and high reproduction traits such as Scrotal Size and Days to Calving. He has moderate ebv’s for growth coupled to a moderate body frame (MCW). His ebv’s for body condition rank in the top 5% of the SA 2022 crop. In summary, his economic selection indexes are in the top 5% (SBI) and 1% (SPI) respectively.
Kai Kai is truly a double curve bender, regarding reproduction and growth traits.
Econotech Brand, PJD2059 P
Brand, like all the other members of the 2020 Class, exhibits a strong fertile dam lineage. Five dams had eight or more calves in their respective lifetimes. His dam, PJD179 P, had to date five calves with an ICP of 345 days.
Brand is a triple curve bender regarding calving ease, reproduction and growth traits. For calving ease he boasts with a top 1% (CED) as well as a top 5% for birth weight. His reproduction traits consist of a low milk ebv (lower 30%) and top 10% for scrotal size (SS) and Days to Calving (DC) in regard to the SA 2022 crop. His growth parameters are rather moderate with his 400 days growth ebv being in the top 40% and his MCW in the bottom 25%. Reproduction is also about body condition with Brand ranking in the top 5% for Rib and Rump Fat respectively. In summary, his economic selection indexes are in the top 5% and 1% for SBI and SPI respectively.
KALANT P: high REPRODUCTION and high GROWTH plus FEED EFFICIENCY
Econotech Siya, PJD2024 P (Son of Kalant P)
Siya is ranked 8th out of 16 bulls according to its 200 days growth ebv in the above-mentioned sorting exercise, which is based on various calving ease and reproduction traits. He has also strong body condition traits which makes him very adaptable to a range of climatic conditions.
His economic selection indexes are in the top 5% to 1% for SBI and SP respectively. Again, Siya should also inherit the feed-efficiency genes of his sire, Kalant.
His dam, PJD1633, has produced three stud bulls to date. Her dam, on the other hand, was one of our most fertile cows ever with 11 calves and an ICP of 364 days.
Having two polled parents, Siya has a 25% chance of being double polled (homozygous polled). If Siya is homozygous polled all his offspring will be polled.
Econotech Pieter-Steph, PJD2028 S (Son of Kalant P) SOLD
Three of Pieter-Steph’s sires have very high ebv’s for feed-efficiency, namely Kalant (NFI-P = -0.12), his grandfather Jimsu (NFI-P = -0.22) and his great grandfather Kalhei (NFI-P = -0.13). He has, most probably, inherited these genes, which could translate into PS being very feed-efficient as well. Furthermore, Pieter-Steph hails from a very fertile mother lineage. Four of the females in his pedigree had nine or more calves in their respective lives, whereas the other three had six calves each.
PS has great length of body, are well balanced and with a show of manliness. He possesses moderate to high calving ease and reproduction traits, together with moderate growth ebv’s. According to the economic selection indexes he ranks in the top 10% for the breeders’ index, SBI as well as the cross-breeding index SPI of the SA 2022 crop.
Econotech Simmentaler Bulls: Class of 2021
The Class of 2021 excel in those breeding traits which underpin our herd’s main attributes, namely Calving Ease, Fertility, Body Condition and Growth (see attached table).
SON OF DAN
Econotech Van Straaten PJD2112 P
Van Straaten is a blend of modern genetics (Zolerz and Dan) and a major sire from a former period, Jadhal Ibbie (sired 2437 calves in his career). Van Straaten is an outstanding success regarding his genetic attributes and built. His reproduction traits, SS and DC, are both in the top 5% of the SA crop. Condition traits, Rib and Rump Fat, are also in the top 5%. The growth indicator, ebv for 400 days, is in the top 25%, whereas his 200 days of 18 is only in the top 40%. Nevertheless, Van Straaten’s graph is that of a typical curve bender, the signature of the Econotech Simmentaler Herd.
SON OF KALANT PJD1565 P
Econotech Kobus PJD2110 P
Kobus is ranked 7th out of 16 bulls according to its 200 days growth ebv in the above-mentioned sorting exercise, which is based on various calving ease and reproduction traits. He has, as is the case with Siya, strong body condition traits which makes him very adaptable to a range of climatic conditions.
His economic selection indexes are in the top 5% to 1% for SBI and SP respectively. Kobus should inherit the feed-efficiency genes of his sire, Kalant (NFI-P = -0.08, top 15%).
His dam, PJD1633, has produced three stud bulls to date. Her dam, on the other hand, was one of our most fertile cows ever with 11 calves and an ICP of 364 days.
Having two polled parents, Kobus has a 25% chance of being double polled (homozygous polled). A homozygous polled bull would produce only polled offspring.
