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By using innovative technology, Midland Bull Test in Montana generates data to identify the most
productive cattle for its customers' herds. The most recent addition to its technology toolbox
is the comprehensive IGENITY profile.
"There has been a lot of interest in IGENITY from our customers," says Leo McDonnell, owner
and founder of Midland Bull Test.
The Midland Bull Test includes approximately 1,200 bulls per year. McDonnell began incorporating
the IGENITY profile into the program last year by profiling his bulls for sale and giving
consigners the option also.
"It's important for us to provide buyers with the most information possible about our bulls, and now that
includes offering the IGENITY profile," McDonnell says. "DNA technology is another way for us and our
customers to get more information about our cattle for better management. It is especially valuable
in young, unproven animals, and for improvement of traits like tenderness that are difficult to measure."
Along with providing the information from IGENITY on bulls in the sale, Midland also worked with the
research group for IGENITY to help validate analyses related to feed efficiency in the IGENITY profile.
"We are the largest bull test in the nation, which gives IGENITY access to data on multiple breeds and
herds from across the nation," McDonnell says. "Pairing our data with EPDs and DNA profiling just
seemed like a good fit. Each tool can improve the accuracy of selection and the ability of producers
to propagate the best genetics."
Steve Williams, McDonnell's stepson and manager of herd health and day-to-day operations at Midland,
says they hope that IGENITY will become a regular tool for helping them and their customers to
select and breed for cattle with greater value.
"Our goal is to identify bulls that will add value to a commercial producers bottom
line," Williams says. "Feed efficiency has become our focus because production costs
are at an all-time high. One way to increase a producer's net income is to focus
on improving efficiency."
McDonnell also is putting the power of DNA to work in his own herd. He runs a 660-head registered
Angus herd and a 100-head South Devon herd, and he has used the IGENITY profile on his herd sires
and replacement heifers.
"We're really excited that the IGENITY profile includes maternal traits, such as stayability,"
McDonnell says. "Our greatest concern is our females. We want females that will last in the herd,
have good fertility and can efficiently convert grass into a sellable product. IGENITY will help us
identify heifers that can deliver those traits."
McDonnell plans on using the IGENITY profile to identify and avoid sires and females that are shown
to be less favorable for traits he would like to maintain or improve in his herd. He also will continue to work
with IGENITY and will offer the profile as an added service for bull test customers.
"The team with IGENITY seems very disciplined and committed to putting out a product that has real value to
ranchers," McDonnell says. "We've enjoyed working with them and look forward to the opportunities this
technology will produce."
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