hans lawaetz’: history of the senepol breed

HANS LAWAETZ’: HISTORY OF THE SENEPOL BREED

SCBA NEWS:VISITS TO KSU, OSU, AGI AND MORE

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2016 CONVENTIONTHE SPEAKERS, GUESTS AND TOUR20

SCBA TEAM WELCOMESA NEW MEMBER

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NEW APPROACHES IN THE PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION OF CATTLE21

June 2016 / Junio 2016

Annaly Farms World's longest established breeders of Senepol cattle

Hans Lawaetz (340) 778-2229 (office) - (340) 690-7379 (cell)

P.O.Box 366, Frederiksted, St.Croix,U.S.V.I. 00841

E-mail: [email protected]

2016 International Year Code: D

SCBA Important Dates

June 2 -4 :SCBA 39th ANNUAL CONVENTION AND MEETING

June 28:USA: Eastern Region Livestock Expo - Knoxville, TN

July 13 – 16:2016 Cattle Industry Summer Conference - Denver, CO

July 29 Last day to add or edit animal data before yearly processing.

Jul 29 – 30:USA: Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Summer Conference

August 1:2nd half of Whole Herd payments due before late fees applied.

Do you have an event or special day in your country to share? Send the information to the SCBA office so we can share it on our calendar and announce it to the SENEPOL WORLD!

SCBA Materials available for your event!This year the SCBA is working to build up our marketing inventory to help our members to promote Senepol at their events and/or during their travels. Did you know you could order brochures, pens, hats, and other materials from us? We also have table top and retractable displays we can send you! Most available in English and Spanish. We do have to cover our costs for shipping and mailing, etc. but let us know how we can help and when your event is and let us help you represent Senepol proudly!

Junio 2 - 4:SCBA 39ª CONVENCIÓN ANUAL y REUNIÓ

Junio 28:USA: La región oriental ganado Expo - Knoxville, TN

Julio: 13 - 16:Conferencia de la Industria de Ganado 2016 Verano - Denver, CO

Julio 29:Último día para agregar o editar datos de animales antes de la transformación anual.

Julio 29 – 30:USA: Conferencia de Verano de la Asociación de Ganaderos de Georgia

Agosto 1:2ª mitad de los pagos de toda manada debe antes de aplicar recargos.

Carl Parker from Parkers Senepols with Ed Loveless in the Senepol booth at the Alabama Cattlemans Convention, Feb. 2016 (before the new materials arrived).Carl Parker de Parkers Senepols con Ed Loveless en el stand de Senepol en la Convención de Ala-bama Cattlemans, febrero de 2016 (antes de la llegada de los nuevos materiales).

¿Tienes un evento o día especial en su país para compartir? Enviar la información a la oficina SCBA para que podamos compartir en nuestro calendario y anunciar al mundo SENEPOL!

Materiales de SCBA disponibles para su evento! Este año la SCBA está trabajando para construir nuestro inven-tario marketing para ayudar a nuestros miembros a promover el Senepol en sus eventos o durante sus viajes. ¿Sabía usted que podría pedir folletos, plumas, sombreros y otros materiales de nosotros? ¡También disponemos de mesa y pantallas retráctiles que podiamos enviarte! La mayoría disponible en inglés y espa-ñol. Tenemos que cubrir nuestros gastos de envío y correo, etc. pero digános cómo podemos ayudar y cuando esté tu evento y deja que te ayudemos representan Senepol con orgullo!

and more... y mas....

SCBA TIDBITS

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SENEPOL CATTLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Breed Founded in U.S. Virgin Islands

2321 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28405 USA

1(800) SENEPOL/910-444-0234 • Fax (704) 919-5871

Website: www.senepolcattle.com

Business Manager: Rebecca Powell

Email: [email protected]

2016

SCBA Board of Directors

PRESIDENT/TREASURER (Virgin Islands)

Mr. Hans Lawaetz

[email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT (USA - Tennessee)

Mr. Mark Sanders

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER (USA - Alabama)

Mr. Carl Parker

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER (USA - TX and OK)

Madison Webb

[email protected]

DIRECTOR (USA - Alabama)

Craig Shipp

[email protected]

DIRECTOR (USA - Mississipi)

Mr. John DeGroote

[email protected]

DIRECTOR (USA - Alabama)

Mr. Ronnie King

[email protected]

39TH SCBA ANNUAL CONVENTIONCROWNE PLAZA HOTELBATON ROUGE, LAJUNE 2-3, 2016PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The new SCBA Board of Directors had their first meeting in Wilmington, N.C. Sept. 11 & 12, 2015 in order to meet with SCBA Data Programmer Mr. Reid Wilson and SCBA Business Manager Ms Rebecca Powell in their working en-vironment.With Mr. Jerry White, past SCBA President and board member for many years in attendance, we discussed some of the issues with the Multi Breed EPDs data for calculating interim EPDs. Jerry agreed to continue to work with Reid and Angus Genetics, Inc. to improve the calculation of interim EPDs. The question also came up about previous SCBA staff manually changing in the SCBA Da-tabase the percentage of 31/32 (96.88%) animals to 100%. The Rule change in 1996 provided for 31/32 Senepol animals to be declared “Fullblood” but no provision for justifying changing the percentage in the database.At the March 11-12, 2016 Board meeting in Baton Rouge, LA arrangements were finalized with Mr. James Chenevert of Continental Genetics to host the 39th Annual Convention in Baton Rouge. The financial status of SCBA was reviewed showing an increase in membership but a serious decline in the WHR enrollment by members that had enrolled their dams in the past. The Board also approved amending SCBA Rule IIB to delete all references of 31/32 ani-mals as Senepol Fullblood, but also created a new category for registering as Fullblood B (bred-up) for animals 31/32 and higher but less than 100%.This past year SCBA was able to utilize USLGE funds to send a delegation to Guatemala and South Africa to promote SCBA and the Senepol breed of cattle. Board members Carl Parker, Mark Sanders and I had the opportunity to attend the Guatemala Senepol Association (GSA) annual meeting and Senepol Exhibi-tion of live cattle at the “Semana del Ganadero y Expoleche Guatemala 2015” Fair on August 17-21, 2015. We presented a PowerPoint history of the Sene-pol breed in Spanish and encouraged the Senepol breeders to stay connected with SCBA and enroll their Senepol dams in the WHR program to receive the best EPDs available. We had the pleasure to visit and have dinner at the home of GSA President Ing. Juan F. Pivaral and a visit and tour of Dr. Julio Lainfiesta’s ranch close to the city of Flores where the Mayan Ruins are located. We were pleased with the progress the Senepol breed has made in Guatemala and the organization of its members.On September 29, 2015 Carl, Mark, Rebecca and I traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa for a five day visit, sometimes driving for over five hours to visit

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La nueva junta directiva de SCBA tuvo la primera reunión en 11 & 12 de septiembre, 2015 en Wilmington, Carolina de Norte para reunirnos con el programador de SCBA Sr. Reid Wilson y la gerente de SCBA Sra. Re-becca Powell en sus ambientes de trabajo. Sr. Jerry White, el presidente pasado y miem-bro de la junta directiva durante muchos años, estuvo presente. Discutimos algunos problemas de calcular EPDs interino con los datos de Multi-raza EPDs (Diferencias de Pro-genie Esperadas). Jerry continuará trabajar con Reid y Angus Genetics para mejorar la calculación de EPDs interino. La pregunta se presentó de los empleados de SCBA cam-biando manualmente en el base de datos los animales de porcentaje de 31/32 (96.88%) a 100%. El cambio en la ley dejó para los animales Senepol de 31/32 ser declarado “de pura raza” pero no se hizo una provisión para justificar el cambio del porcentaje en la base de dato.En 11-12 de marzo 2016, la reunión de la junta directiva en Baton Rouge, LA los pla-nes fueron finalizados con Sr. James Che-nevert de Continental Genetics de acoger la 39˚ Convención Anual en Baton Rouge. El estado de finanzas de SCBA fue revisado y mostró un aumento en membresía pero una disminución seria en la inscripción de WHR por los miembros que han inscrito sus ma-dres en el pasado. La junta directiva aprobó el cambio a la ley IIB—eliminar todas referen-cias de los animales 31/32 como de pura raza de Senepol, pero también creó una categoría nueva por registrar como pura raza B para los animales 31/32 y más alto pero menos que 100%. El ultimo año SCBA fue capaz de utilizar los fondos de USLGE para mandar una delega-ción a Guatemala y Sudáfrica para promo-ver SCBA y la raza de ganado Senepol. Los miembros de la junta directiva Carl Parker, Marks Sanders y yo tuvimos la oportunidad asistir la reunión anual de la Asociación de Senepol en Guatemala (GSA) y la exhibición de ganado en la Semana del Ganadero y Expoleche Guatemala 2015 (17-21 agosto 2015). Dimos una presentación de la historia

de la raza de Senepol en español y anima-mos los criadores unirse con SCBA y inscri-bir a sus madres de Senepol en el programa WHR para recibir los mejores EPDs posible. Tuvimos el placer de visitar y tener una cena en la casa de Juan F. Pivaral (presidente de GSA). Tomamos un tour del rancho de Dr. Julion Lainfiesta muy cerca a la ciudad de Flores donde las ruinas Mayan están ubica-das. Estuvimos complacidos con el progresso de Senepol que ha sido hecho en Guatemala y la organización de sus miembros. En el 29 de septiembre 2015, Carl, Mark Rebecca y yo viajamos a Johannesburg, Sud-áfrica para visitar ranchos diferentes, a veces viajábamos más de cinco horas a otro rancho. Visitamos cuatro ranchos diferentes de Sene-pol, y asistimos su reunión anual y subasta. El ultimo día de nuestro viaje nos reunimos con el director y gerente del Departamento Sudafricano de agricultura, silvicultura y pes-quería para discutir el proceso de importar el semen y las embriones. Estuvieron complaci-dos con nuestra discusión y el éxito de la raza Senepol cruzando con sus razas africanas. Quiero agradecer a la junta directiva y la membresía por su participación en el nego-cio de la Asociación este año y deseo que la SCBA tenga mucho éxito en el futuro. Mu-chas gracias a Rebecca por su trabajo con esta asociación y sus retos; asistir a los criadores, inscribir in WHR, EPD Resumen de Repro-ductores, organizar la publicación Senepol World, y manejar los fondos. Como todos saben, he decido retirarme de la junta directiva de SCBA. Quisiera dar más tiempo a las oportunidades más cera a mi casa y tener más tiempo personal. Esta experiencia de desarrollar la raza de Senepol ha sido increíble—de un poquito país en el Caribe muchas islas tropicales por el mundo.

Respetuosamente por:Hans Lawaetz.Presidente de SCBA

39˚ CONVENCIÓN ANUAL CROWNE PLAZA HOTELBATON ROUGE, LA2-3 DE JUNIO 2016DE LA OFICINA DEL PRESIDENTE

four different Senepol cattle ranches, and attend their an-nual Senepol meeting and auc-tion. We were able to visit Mr. Wilhelm Oosthuysen and Mr. Danie Nieuwoudt ranches who are both here today.On the last day of our visit we met with the Director and Scien-tific Manager of the South Afri-can Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to discuss the procedure for importing Senepol semen and embryos. They were well pleased with our discussion and the success of the Senepol breed crossing with many of their African breeds of cattle. I want to thank the board mem-bers for their involvement with handling the business of the As-sociation this past year and wish everyone the best of success for SCBA in the future years. Thank you Rebecca for staying the course as a new member of a breed association with its many challenges of assisting breeders registering , enrolling in WHR, EPD’s Sire Summary, organizing the publication of the Senepol World Magazines, and handling the financial and secretarial mat-ters of the association. I have decided to retire from the SCBA Board of Directors, as I have done and am doing from other “non-profit” organi-zations, to devote more time to my personal matters and other opportunities closer to home. It has been a wonderful experience seeing the development of the Senepol breed spread from one small island in the Caribbean to many tropical countries in the world.

Respectfully submitted by:

Hans Lawaetz

President SCBA

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Quality Bulls and Heifers for Sale

Madison Webb, Herd Manager PO Box 87 Kene ·c, OK 74748

[email protected]·m Mobile: (469)417-8073 V'lWW .nmmsenepols. com

or find us on Facebook at Mitche l Ranches

HANS LAWAETZ’ HISTORY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SENEPOL BREED OF CATTLE

From the time my Dad, Frits E. Lawaetz, was hired in 1940 by Mr. Ward M. Canaday (WC brand) to manage Annaly Farms, and they purchased the Nelthropp herd of 132 all red in color and polled cattle in 1949, I was involved working on the ranch the summers of my high school years (1951-1955). The summers of my University years (Cornell Uni-versity ‘55-’59), I worked on ranches in Kansas (Charolais/Hereford cattle), Colorado (Hereford herd in the valley with steers from Arizona in the mountains on Federal land) and in Florida dealing with 1,500 nervous Zebu, Angus, Hereford crossed steers, all for $50.00 per week.

After five years in the U.S. Air Force as an officer, I decided to return to St. Croix in 1964 with my wife, Judy, and our two year old daughter Amy to assist my Dad, a serving Virgin Islands Senator in the Virgin Islands Legislature, who had lost his left leg in 1959 due to an injury while working on the ranch. At that time, I came on as a partner with Mr. Canaday

Desde que mi papá, Frits E. Lawaetz, fue contratado en 1940 por el Sr. Ward M. Canaday (marca WC) para adminis-trar las Granjas Annaly, y compraron la manada Nelthropp de 132 cabezas de ganado, todas rojas, y descornadas en 1949, me involucré trabajando en el rancho en los vera-nos de mis años de preparatoria (1951-1955). Durante los veranos de mis años universitarios (Universidad Cornell ’55-’59), trabajé en ranchos en Kansas (ganado Charolais/Hereford), Colorado (manada Hereford en el valle con no-villos de Arizona en las montañas en terreno federal) y en Florida manejando a 1,500 novillos cruzados Cebú, Angus, Hereford, nerviosos, todo por $50.00 a la semana.

Después de cinco años en la Fuerza Aérea de Estados Uni-dos como oficial, decidí regresar a St. Croix en 1964 con mi esposa, Judy, y nuestra hija de dos años, Amy, para ayudar a mi papá, un Senador en funciones de las Islas Vírgenes, en la Legislación de las Islas Vírgenes, quien había perdido su pierna izquierda en 1959 debido a una lesión mientras trabajaba en el rancho. Fue entonces que me hice socio con el Sr. Canaday y mi papá, en la administración de las Gran-jas Annaly. En este momento las Granjas Annaly consistían de 250+ acres de caña de azúcar, la manada Nelthropp, y 1,200+ cabezas de ganado N’Dama/Criollo, todo en 4,200 acres.

Afortunadamente, mi papá guardaba muy buenos registros genéticos desde 1949 con el ganado Senepol identificado con el código WCS y un número, y el resto del ganado con un código WCL y un número, con una etiqueta metálica en su oreja. A los 3-6 meses de edad, los becerros eran marca-dos con ese número y código. También comenzó a registrar la fecha de nacimientos y el número de la madre de cada becerro y, en 1954, registró el nombre Senepol para esta nueva raza de ganado.

Uno de mis primeros trabajos fue reducir el tamaño de la manada debido a un exceso de pastoreo después de una sequía en 1964 y, para 1966, la granja terminó la operación de Caña de Azúcar, convirtiendo ese terreno en Pasto Pan-gola para que el ganado pastara.

Comenzamos a reducir el tamaño de la manada vendien-do, para sacrificio, a todos los animales con cabos de cuer-no, cualquier color blanco, pelo largo (pelu) y nerviosismo, y también comenzamos a pesar al ganado joven. Por las noches, al calcular el incremento en peso diario (antes de proporciones y los EPDs), pude identificar los becerros y

LA HISTORIA DE HANS LAWAETZ CON EL DESARROLLO DE LA RAZA SENEPOL DE GANADO

SCBA ARTICLE

Hans Lawaetz

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and my Dad, in the management of Annaly Farms. At this point, Annaly Farms consisted of 250+ acres of Sugar Cane, the Nelthropp herd, and 1,200+ head of N’Dama/Criollo cattle, all on 4,200 acres.

Fortunately, my Dad kept very good genetic records from 1949 with the Senepol cattle identified with the WCS code and a number and the other cattle with a WCL code and a number with a metal tag in their ear. At 3-6 months of age, the calves were branded with that number and code. He also began recording the date of birth and dam number of each calf and, in 1954, trade-marked the name Senepol for this new breed of cattle.

One of my first jobs was to reduce the size of the herd due to over-grazing after a drought in 1964, and by 1966, the farm terminated the Sugar Cane operation, converting that land to Pangola Grass for cattle grazing.

We started reducing the size of the herd by selling, for slaughter, all animals with scurs, any white color, long hair (pelu), and nervousness, and also started weighing the young cattle. At night by calculating the weight per day gain (before ratios and EPDs) I was able to identify the infe-rior calves and dams, which were sold as soon as possible for slaughter.

Dipping 1,500+/- head of cattle every 3 to 4 weeks in order to control the tick population, which could possibly spread two diseases, anaplasmosis and piroplasmosis, at three differ-ent corrals with vats for dipping the cattle, meant organizing the work force to deal with 500+/- head of cattle, in 4 to 6 different herds for 1 to 2 days of work every week in the

madres inferiores, los cuales fueron vendidos lo más pronto posible para sacrificio.

Sumergiendo 1,500+/- cabezas de ganado cada 3 a 4 se-manas para poder controlar la población de garrapatas, que bien pudiera esparcir dos enfermedades, anaplasmosis y piroplasmosis, en tres diferentes corrales con tinas para sumergir el ganado, significaba organizar la mano de obra para tratar con 500+/- cabezas de ganado, en 4 a 6 manadas diferentes durante 1 a 2 días de trabajo cada semana en los corrales. Pero esto también nos dio la oportunidad de marcar con etiqueta a los becerros a una edad temprana, marcar y pesar para los pesos de destete y añojo. También podíamos revisar a los padres y madres para una buena con-formación, docilidad, fertilidad, cabello corto, color rojo, buena ubre y nada de cabos de cuerno.

Con más de 500 becerros naciendo cada año, principal-mente en tres grupos contemporáneos de 60 días, selec-cionábamos las 60 mejores novillas cada año, basados en registros de desempeño, conformación, etc., para reponer las 60 principales vacas indeseables y también nos quedába-mos con los 20-25 mejores toros añojos para reproducción, sacrificando en promedio 10+ animales cada semana para el consumo local de alimentos.

Al pesar al ganado joven cada 30+ días, se podía determi-nar cuando las novillas alcanzaran las 700+ libras, ya fuera para cruzarlas y que parieran a los 24 a 26 meses de edad, o para ser sacrificadas poco después. Los becerros de toro eran sacrificados a las 800+ libras, al menos que fueran calificados como 2++. De ser así, se les guardaba como posi-bles padres de la manada para el futuro. Cuando el ganado joven era pesado, los calificaba con un 3 (para sacrificio), 2, 2+ o 2++. No se daban 1s hasta que el animal hubiera demostrado merecerlo.

En 1967 también decidimos codificar a todos los becerros con un WC e iniciamos a las hembras con el número WC-1000, actualmente en WC-8650, y los machos con el núme-ro WC-1, y después de WC-999 se comenzó de nuevo con el WC-1 y el código de letra del año.

A mediados de los 70s, gracias al Dr. A. L. “Ike” Eller, Ex-tensionista Especialista en Ganado Vacuno en el Instituto Politécnico y Universidad del Estado de Virginia, los cria-dores de ganado Senepol en St. Croix pudieron registrar su ganado en el Programa de Mejoramiento de Ganado Vacu-no en Virginia (BCIP) y recibieron impresiones de las tasas de desempeño calculadas por computadora y de los pesos ajustados de destete y añojo. Esta información también pro-

Founders, Virgin Islands Senepol Association, St. Croix, October 12, 1976. From left: Enrico “Kiko” Gasperi, Caroline & Mario Gasperi (Castle Nugent Farm, code “CN”), Henry Nelthropp of Nelthropp Farms (code N), Virgin Islands Commissioner of Agricultural Oscar E. Henry (code OH), Hans Lawaetz of Annaly Farms (code WC), Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) at the College of the Virgin Islands Dr. Darshan S. Padda, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (VPI) Dr. A. L. “Ike” Eller. Missing in the picture was Virgin Islands Sen-ator Frits E. Lawaetz of Annaly Farms (code WC).

Delivering fresh Senepol Beef quarters in 1968

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corrals. But this also gave us an opportunity to tag calves at an early age, brand and weigh for weaning and yearling weights. We could also review sires and dams for good con-formation, docilness, fertility, short hair, red color, good ud-der and no scurs.

With 500+ calves being born each year, in mainly three 60 day contemporary groups, we were selecting the top 60 heif-ers each year based on performance records, conformation etc. to replace the top 60 undesirable cows and also keep-ing for breeding the top 20-25 yearling bulls for breeding, and slaughtering the balance 10+ animals each week for local food consumption.

By weighing the young cattle every 30+ days, it could be determined when the heifers reached 700+ lbs whether they were either to be bred to calf at 24 to 26 months of age or slaughtered soon after. The bull calves at 800+ lbs were slaughtered unless they were graded 2++. If so, they were kept as possible herd sires for the future. When the young cattle were weighed, I graded with a 3 (for slaughter), 2, 2+ or 2++. No 1’s were issued until the animal had proven itself.

In 1967, we also decided to code all the calves the same with a WC and started the females with number WC-1000, now at WC- 8650, and males at number WC-1, and after WC-999 start over with the number WC-1 and the year letter code.

In the mid ‘70s, thanks to Dr. A.L. “Ike” Eller, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, the St. Croix Senepol breeders were able to enroll their cattle in the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Program (BCIP) and receive printouts of computer calculated perfor-mance ratios and adjusted weaning and yearling weights. This information also provided the foundation for our present SCBA Senepol EPDs.

In 1967, I had gotten the idea to start delivering Annaly Farms Senepol fresh grass fed beef to the local island grocery stores myself rather than depend on the island butchers to decide when and at what price they would pay for the cattle. At this time we were also loading schooners with old & culled cows at $.18 per pound to the island of Martinique.

porcionó la base para nuestros EPDs actuales de Senepol de la SCBA.

En 1967 tuve la idea de comenzar a entregar yo mismo ga-nado Senepol de las Granjas Annaly alimentado con pasto fresco a los negocios alimenticios locales en la isla en lugar de depender de que los carniceros isleños decidieran cuándo y qué precio pagarían por el ganado. Fue entonces cuando también cargábamos goletas con vacas viejas y eliminadas selectivamente a $.18 por libra a la isla de Martinica.

Ya para 1968 estábamos sacrificando de 10 a 15 animales por semana en el matadero de las Islas Vírgenes, inspec-cionado federalmente, comprando ganado para sacrificio de otros criadores de Senepol y entregando carne Senepol a más de 10 pequeños negocios alimenticios locales desde una caja de aluminio térmica forrada en mi camioneta pic-kup.

En 1968, para poder cumplir con la demanda de nuestra población isleña de alrededor de 40,000 a 50,000 perso-nas, traje a la isla 14,000 lbs, de canales recién descuar-tizados de reses alimentadas con pasto desde República Dominicana, en un avión pequeño de dos motores rentado. Esto se vendió mediante entrega a las tiendas alimenticias de la isla. Después del primer cargamento, los Inspectores Federales de Carne de Estados Unidos insistieron en que, en el futuro, necesitaría un lugar aprobado federalmente para inspeccionar la carne, ya que se estaba importando desde un país foráneo.

Durante los siguientes años, importé 20,000+ lbs. de carne fresca colgante desde Florida en trailers refrigerados de 50 pies, vendiéndola en 10 días desde el tráiler en mi patio trasero. Después de diseñar y rediseñar una bodega refrige-rada aprobada federalmente y un cuarto de procesamiento para la carne, por fin fui aprobado para un préstamo para construir las instalaciones en 1974. Después de la construc-ción, un inspector Federal de Estados Unidos visitó las ins-talaciones cada día hábil hasta después del Huracán Hugo en 1989. Después del huracán, mi hija más pequeña, Jo-die, graduada de la Universidad Clemson, donde estudió con una beca de natación, se unió a las Granjas Annaly y se hizo cargo de la administración del Mercado de Carne de las Granjas Annaly. Entonces decidimos concentrarnos en el negocio de las ventas al detalle y apostamos en los contratos de alimentos del gobierno, que todavía hacemos, manejando una gran cantidad de alimentos congelados de los Estados Unidos.

En 1974 también tuvimos la capacidad económica para que mi hermano Frits se uniera a la sociedad como socio y, para 1976 ya habíamos comprado la parte de nuestro Socio Li-mitado, el interés del Sr. Canaday en la manada de ganado Senepol. El Sr. Canaday siempre fue parte importante de mi vida. Cuando yo tenía 14 años él le dijo a mi papá que como parte de su compensación él iniciaría un Fondo Fidu-ciario Educativo para pagar por mi educación preparatoria y universitaria en los Estados Unidos, y cuando fuimos so-cios, exigía registros financieros estrictos en la operación de ganado de la Sociedad de las Granjas Annaly.

Por supuesto que el negocio de la carne cambió totalmente en St. Croix en los 70s cuando una “tienda de cadena ali-menticia” grande construyó una tienda de comestibles en St. Croix y la carne Cryovac empaquetada fue un produc-to más fácil para que las pequeñas tiendas de comestibles pudieran manejar y vender. Afortunadamente, cuando di-señamos el Mercado de Carnes de las Granjas Annaly, no

Cowboy Guison and Hans, working Senepol together since 1964

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By 1968, we were slaughtering 10 to 15 animals per week at the Virgin Islands federal inspected abattoir, buying cattle for slaughter from the other Senepol breeders and delivering Se-nepol beef to 10+ small local grocery stores from an insulated aluminum lined box in the back of my pickup truck.

In 1968, in order to meet the demand of our island popula-tion of 40,000 to 50,000 people, I brought to the island 14,000 lbs. of grass fed fresh quartered carcasses of beef from the Dominican Republic, on a small two engine char-tered aircraft. This was sold through delivery to the island grocery stores. After the 1st shipment, the U.S. Federal Meat Inspectors insisted that, in the future, I would need a federally approved facility for inspecting the beef, since it was being imported from a foreign country.

For the next few years, I brought in 20,000+ lbs. of fresh hanging beef from Florida in 50 ft. refrigerated trailers, selling it in 10 days from the trailer in my back yard. After designing and redesigning a federally approved refrigerated warehouse and a meat processing room, I finally was approved for a loan to build the facility in 1974. After construction, a U.S. Fed-eral inspector visited the facility every working day until after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. After the hurricane my younger daughter Jodie, a graduate of Clemson University where she attended on a swimming scholarship, joined Annaly Farms and took over the management of the Annaly Farms Meat Market. We then decided to concentrate on the retail food business and bid on government food contracts, which we still do today, handling a great deal of frozen foods from the United States.

In 1974, we were also financially able to have my brother Frits join the partnership as a partner and, by 1976 had bought out our Limited Partner, Mr. Canaday’s interest in the herd of Se-nepol cattle. Mr. Canaday was always an important part of my life. When I was 14 years of age, he told my Dad that as part of his compensation he would setup an Educational Trust Fund to pay for my high school and college education in the United States, and while we were partners demanding strict financial records on the Annaly Farms Partnership cattle operation.

Of course, the beef business all changed on St. Croix in the ‘70s when a large “chain food store” built a grocery store on St. Croix and boxed cryovac beef became an easier product for small grocery stores to handle and sell. Fortu-nately, when we designed the Annaly Farms Meat Market, it not only included a 20’X20’ refrigerated room for hanging beef, a butcher room for processing meats, but also a 36’L X 16’W X 10’H freezer which meant we could import trailer loads of frozen meats, fish and vegetables to sell retail with our fresh hanging Senepol beef. This still continues today, and has been managed by my daughter Jodie since 1990.

In 1977, the four St. Croix Senepol breeders organized the Virgin Islands Senepol Association (VISA) with the help of many people. These included: Dr. Will T. Butts who had start-ed the research work in 1976 on the Senepol breed at the Brooksville USDA Subtropical Research Station using semen from 17 St. Croix sires; Mr. Dixon D. Hubburd at the time stationed at the Washington D.C., U.S. Dept. of Agricultural Office; Mr. Dan Vaniman the Exec. Director of the American Simmental Cattle Association who helped us start the Sene-

sólo incluía un cuarto refrigerado de 20’ x 20’ para colgar la carne, un cuarto de carnicero para procesar las carnes, sino también un congelador de 36’L x 16’A x 10’H, lo que significaba que podíamos importar cargamentos de tráiler de carnes congeladas, y vegetales para vender al detalle con nuestra carne fresca colgante Senepol. Esto continúa al día de hoy, y ha sido administrado por mi hija Jodie desde 1990.

En 1977 los cuatro criadores Senepol de St. Croix orga-nizaron la Asociación Senepol de las Islas Vírgenes (VISA, por sus siglas en inglés) con la ayuda de mucha gente. Éstas incluían a: Dr. Will T. Butts, que había comenzado el trabajo de investigación en 1976 sobre la raza Senepol en la USDA Estación Subtropical de Investigación de Brooksville usan-do semen de 17 reproductores de St. Croix; el Sr. Dixon D. Hubburd, en ese momento en la Oficina del Departa-mento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos en Washington, D. C.; el Sr. Dan Vaniman, el Director Ejecutivo de la Aso-ciación Americana de Ganado Simmental, quien nos ayudó a iniciar el Registro de la Raza Senepol y ordenanzas de la asociación; y, por supuesto, el Dr. Harold D. Hupp, quien fue asignado a la Facultad de la Estación Experimental de Agricultura de las Islas Vírgenes para estudiar y caracterizar a la raza Senepol, y también servir como el secretario de registros de VISA.

Fui elegido Presidente en la primera junta oficial de VISA y, en ese tiempo, las Granjas Annaly tenían más de 600 vacas en el Registro de la Fundación VISA, más que todos los de-más criadores de Senepol juntos. Afortunadamente, uno de nuestros directivos, el Sr. Oscar E. Henry (marca OH), tam-bién era el Comisionado de Agricultura de las Islas Vírgenes y pudo asignar fondos del Departamento para la construc-ción de instalaciones de cuarentena para la exportación del ganado Senepol, lo que comenzamos a hacer en 1977.

El primer embarque se hizo al Dr. Don Applegate, un vete-rinario de Louisville, Kentucky, que le llamó a su operación Senepol el Senepol Americano Limitado (marca ASL) y al Sr. Wingard Freeman de Macon, Georgia. El Dr. Applegate también era el Presidente de la Asociación de Ganado Sim-mental y había escuchado acerca de la raza Senepol por parte del Sr. Vanim cuando visitó St. Croix en 1976. Estaba interesado en cruzar el Senepol con su ganado Simmental, principalmente para obtener becerros más chicos al nacer. El Sr. Freeman era un granjero Menonita de lácteos que también estaba en la junta directiva de la Asociación de Ga-

Which one is Mine...

10

pol Breed Registry and association by-laws; and of course Dr. Harold D. Hupp who was assigned to the College of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station to study and characterize the Senepol breed and also serve as recording secretary of the VISA.

I was elected Chairman at the first official meeting of VISA, and, at the time, Annaly Farms had 600+ cows in the VISA Foundation Registry, more than all the other Senepol breed-ers combined. Fortunately, one of our board members, Mr. Oscar E. Henry (OH brand), was also the V.I. Commissioner of Agricultural and he was able to allocate funds from the Department for the construction of a quarantine facility for the exportation of the Senepol cattle, which we started doing in 1977.

The first shipment was to Dr. Don Applegate, a veterinarian from Louisville, Kentucky who named his Senepol operation the American Senepol Limited (ASL brand) and Mr. Wingard Freeman from Macon, Georgia. Dr. Applegate was also the President of the Simmental Cattle Association and had heard about the Senepol breed from Mr. Vaniman when he visited St. Croix in 1976. He was interested in crossing the Senepol with his Simmental cattle mainly for smaller calves at birth. Mr. Freeman was a Mennonite dairy farmer who was also a board member of the Beefalo Cattle Association and was on his way to Brazil for a board meeting when the “semen col-lector” from the D & D Bull Motel, who collected the semen in 1976 for the Brooksville research project, convinced Mr. Freeman to visit St. Croix. After his visit he decided to switch from Beefalo to Senepol.

In 1987, the VISA Board and membership agreed to change the name of the association to the American International Senepol Association (AISA), which already had three board members from the United States. In 1988, the Board also agreed to relocate the Senepol Registry from the College of the Virgin Islands to the Red Angus Cattle Association located in Denton, Texas.

I continued to serve as Chairman of the board until 1991 when we reorganized and formed the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association (SCBA) with a 12 member board of directors (BOD). In order to provide a distribution of members on the board, the United States was divided into five regions with one region for international members.

Exporting Senepol cattle from St. Croix to the United States meant, once the animals were se-lected by the buyer based on his observation of the animal and its’ performance records, sam-ples of blood were taken 30 days before depar-ture, by plane or ship, and sent to Ames, Iowa for testing to determine whether the cattle were carriers of the diseases anaplasmosis and/or piroplasmonsis. The animals may have looked healthy because they had built up an immunity to the diseases, but may show in testing a titer as a carrier of the disease. Once the results were returned negative, the animals were placed in the quarantine facility 10 days before departure and blood samples taken again. During the next

nado Beefalo e iba camino a Brasil para una junta de direc-tivos cuando el “recolector de semen” del Motel de Toros D & D, que recolectaba el semen en 1976 para el proyecto de investigación de Brooksville, convenció al Sr. Freeman de visitar St. Croix. Después de su visita decidió cambiar de Beefalo a Senepol.

En 1987 la Junta Directiva de VISA y sus socios acordaron cambiar el nombre de la asociación por el de Asociación Americana Internacional de Senepol (AISA, por sus siglas en inglés), que ya tenía tres miembros directivos de Estados Unidos. En 1988, la Junta también acordó reubicar el Re-gistro Senepol de la Facultad de las Islas Vírgenes a la Aso-ciación de Ganado Red Angus localizada en Denton, Texas.

Continué fungiendo como Presidente de la junta hasta 1991 cuando reorganizamos y formamos la Asociación de Criadores de Ganado Senepol (SCBA, por sus siglas en in-glés), con una junta directiva de 12 miembres (BOD). Para poder ofrecer una distribución de los miembros en la junta, Estados Unidos fue dividido en cinco regiones con una re-gión para socios internacionales.

Exportar ganado Senepol desde St. Croix hacia Estados Unidos significaba, una vez que los animales eran elegidos por el comprador con base en la observación del animal y sus registros de desempeño, se les extraían muestras de sangre 30 días antes de partir, por avión o barco, y enviados a Ames, Iowa, para someterlos a pruebas para determinar si el ganado era portador de las enfermedades anaplasmosis y/o piroplasmosis. Los animales podían verse sanos porque habían creado una inmunidad a las enfermedades, pero po-dían aparecer como portadores de la enfermedad al hacer una prueba con título. Cuando los resultados regresaban negativos, los animales eran colocados en el área de cuaren-tena 10 días antes de su salida y se volvían a tomar mues-tras de sangre. Durante los siguientes nueve días te ponías a rezar para que el ganado estuviera listo para partir y que el avión o barco estuviera a tiempo.

Fue diferente embarcar a Venezuela debido a que también tenían garrapatas y querían animales con un título y, por tanto, no era necesaria la cuarentena. En los 90s, los criado-res de St. Croix embarcaron 200 cabezas (200,000 lbs.) de Senepols a Venezuela vía dos aviones 727. Los dos aviones

Hans with his cattle

11

nine days you prayed the cattle would be ready for de-parture and the plane or ship was on schedule.

Shipping to Venezuela was different since they also had ticks and wanted animals with a titer, and therefore the quarantine was not nec-essary. In the ‘90s, the St. Croix breeders shipped 200 head (200,000lbs.) of Se-nepols to Venezuela via two 727 aircrafts. The two air-crafts made two trips each in one day. Remember, Vene-zuela is only 500+ miles from St. Croix.

Thanks to the encourage-ment and efforts of SCBA Exec. Director Greg Com-stock, we were able to host St. Croix “Hand Picked” Senepol Auctions at Stan Coley’s Ranch, Ga. in 1995 and at Stamey Farms, N.C. in 1996 & 1998. Greg came to St. Croix, took a great deal of pictures, and then put together three great Auction Sale booklets with over 65 lots in each sale. The big challenge was to identify a sale day, after 30 days of isolation at the farm in the U.S., 30 days of testing and quarantine in St. Croix and scheduling a plane to carry 75,000+lbs of cattle to the U.S., with pay-ment in advance.

For four years in a row, thanks to the efforts of Señora Bea-triz Diaz, from 2001 to 2004 before President Chavez took control of Venezuela, Annaly Farms with help from Castle Nugent Farms, shipped 100 head of Senepol each year on a Stretch DC-8 to Venezuela. My records show the exporta-tion of many cattle from Annaly Farms (WC) to numerous cattle breeders from different states and countries over the past 38 years, including Australia and Brazil.

Over the past 39 years on the Senepol Association BOD, I have served for 17 years as president, one year as V.P. and eight years as treasurer. It has been my honor and pleasure to have worked with so many outstanding and dedicated Sene-pol breeders from many different countries. I think the future of the Senepol breed is now secure in the tropical regions of the world thanks to the work of SCBA. I wish the best of suc-cess to the SCBA Board of Directors to continue the history of SCBA as the international organization responsible for the accurate genetics and performance records of the breed world-wide.

Submitted by:

Hans Lawaetz

Date - April 11, 2016

hicieron dos viajes cada uno en un día. Recuerden, Venezue-la está a sólo un poco más de 500 millas de St. Croix.

Gracias al empuje y esfuerzos del Director Ejecutivo de SCBA, Greg Comstock, pudimos se anfitriones de la Subas-ta de Senepol “Escogido a Mano” de St. Croix en el Ran-cho de Stan Coley, en Georgia, en 1995, y en las Granjas Stamey, Carolina del Norte, en 1996 y 1998. Greg vino a St. Croix, tomó muchas fotografías, y después formó tres grandes folletos de la Venta de Subasta con más de 65 lotes en cada venta. El gran reto fue identificar un día de venta, después de 30 días de aislamiento en el rancho en Estados Unidos, 30 días de pruebas y cuarentena en St. Croix, y pro-gramar un avión para llevar más de 75,000 lbs de ganado hacia Estados Unidos, con el pago por adelantado.

Durante cuatro años seguidos, gracias a los esfuerzos de la Señora Beatriz Díaz, desde 2001 hasta 2004 , antes de que el Presidente Chávez tomara el control sobre Venezuela, las Granjas Annaly, con la ayuda de las Granjas Castle Nugent, embarcaron 100 cabezas de Senepol cada año en un Stretch DC-8 hacia Venezuela. Mis registros muestran la exporta-ción de mucho ganado desde las Granjas Annaly (WC) hacia muchos criadores de ganado de diferentes estados y países en los últimos 38 años, incluyendo Australia y Brasil.

En los últimos 39 años en la Junta Directiva de la Asocia-ción Senepol, he servido durante 17 años como presidente, un año como Vicepresidente, y ocho años como tesorero. Ha sido un honor y un placer haber trabajado con tantos criadores Senepol sobresalientes y dedicados de muchos países diferentes. Pienso que el futuro de la raza Senepol ya está asegurado en las regiones tropicales del mundo gracias al trabajo de la SCBA. Deseo el mejor de los éxitos a la Junta Directiva de la SCBA para que continúen la historia de la SCBA como la organización internacional responsable de la genética exacta y registros de desempeño de la raza a nivel mundial.

Enviado por:

Hans Lawaetz

Fecha – Abril 11, 2016.

Preparing Senepol cattle for shipment

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As you all already know, I came to the SCBA not knowing a steer from a bull, literally. With your patience and assistance I have already learned so much but there is still a very long way to go. I have decided to take on this cattle industry and learn as much as I can whenever the opportunity arises.

So far this year I have started online training for Beef Quality Assurance certifications and already have a few under my belt, I am proud to say. My goal is to complete the re-maining certifications by the end of June.

This March I attended the Kansas State University’s Cattlemen’s Day in Manhattan, Kansas and visited the Angus Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri where Dan Moser gave my nephew Tyler and I the grand tour. The facility and staff were impressive and we could feel the history and the well-deserved pride they have for their breed and product.

KSU had several sessions to choose from for each time block so I chose these 2:

Impact of Beef Branding Programs on Consumer Perceptions of Beef

Quality (spoiler alert: Angus does very well with branding). Travis O’Quinn,

Extension Meats Specialist, discussed how product identification prior to

tasting affects consumer perceptions of beef eating quality. The effects of

product brand, USDA grade, fat percentage, and primal-specific blends on

overall palatability of steaks and ground beef were also discussed.

Reproduction: It’s All about Timing by Northwest area extension spe-

cialist Sandy Johnson who discussed how consistently paying attention to

timing will help the performance of your herd. Included was an introduction

to the Management Minder, a calendar tool to map out your cow/calf

production year. The Management Minder is a joint effort between Iowa

State University and K-State Research and Extension. They expect that

the early users of the program will have suggestions for improvement

and may identify issues that still need to be resolved. They welcome and

encourage this feedback. The tool can be found at http://cowweb.exnet.

iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/. Send questions and comments regarding the

tool to [email protected].

I wasn’t sure how going to KSU would benefit me but I am so glad I did. At both presentations the presenters and the at-tendees were welcoming, friendly and helpful. I didn’t feel an ounce of judgement when I asked what for most there would be “newbie” questions. I’ve also had quick replies when I’ve sent follow-up questions via email since. I love cattle folk!

Most recently I attended the National Pedigreed Livestock Council (NPLC) annual meeting May 2 - 4, 2016 in Colum-bus, Ohio. Dan Moser from Angus Genetics, Inc. suggested I contact them after I mentioned how nice his office and staff

Como ya saben, llegué a SCBA sin distinguir entre un novi-llo y un toro, literalmente. Con su paciencia y ayuda ya he aprendido mucho, pero todavía hay un trecho muy largo por recorrer. He decidido asumir la industria ganadera y apren-der tanto como pueda cada vez que surja la oportunidad.

En lo que va de este año he comenzado mi capacitación para las certificaciones del Aseguramiento de Calidad de la Carne y ya he obtenido algunas, lo cual digo con mucho orgullo. Mi meta es completar las certificaciones restantes para finales de junio.

Este marzo fui al Día del Ganadero de la Universidad de Kansas en Manhattan, Kansas, y visité la Sede de Angus en la Ciudad de Kansas, Missouri, en donde Dan Moser nos dio el gran tour a mi sobrino Tyler y a mí. Las instalaciones y el personal estuvieron impresionantes y pudimos sentir la historia y el orgullo muy bien merecido que tienen hacia su

raza y su producto.

KSU tuvo varias se-siones para escoger en cada bloque de tiempo, así que esco-gí estas 2:

Impacto de los Pro-gramas de Marcado de Ganado en las Per-cepciones del Consu-

midor sobre la Calidad de la Carne (alerta: al Angus le va muy bien con el marcado). Travis O’Quinn, Especialista en Carnes de Extensión, habló acerca de cómo la identificación del producto previo a degustarlo afecta las percepciones de la calidad de la carne comestible. También se habló acerca de los efectos de la marca del producto, grado USDA, por-centaje de grasa, y las mezclas específicamente primales en la palatabilidad general de bistecs y carne molida.

Reproducción: Todo Está en la Programación, por la espe-cialista en extensión del área noroeste, Sandy Johnson, que habló acerca de cómo el poner atención consistentemente sobre la programación ayudará al desempeño de su ma-nada. Se incluyó una introducción al Acompañante de la Administración, una herramienta de calendario para pro-gramar su año productivo de res/becerro. El Acompañante de Administración es un esfuerzo conjunto entre la Univer-sidad del Estado de Iowa y la Investigación y Extensión de la Universidad del Estado de Kansas. Esperan que los pri-meros usuarios de este programa tengan sugerencias para mejorarlo y puedan identificar situaciones que todavía ne-cesitan resolverse. Agradecen y solicitan esta retroalimenta-ción. La herramienta se puede encontrar en http://cowweb.exnet.iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/. Envíe sus preguntas y co-mentarios de la herramienta a [email protected].

No estaba segura cómo me beneficiaría ir a KSU pero estoy muy contenta de haber ido. En ambas presentaciones los ponentes y los asistentes fueron muy cálidos, amistosos y de gran ayuda. No me sentí ni una pizca juzgada cuando hice preguntas que para la mayoría hubieran sido preguntas de “novata”. También he recibido respuestas rápidas cuando he enviado preguntas de seguimiento vía correo electrónico. ¡Me encanta la gente ganadera!

SCBA NEWS

By Rebecca Powell

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were and how jealous I was for his resources. The NPLC has been a source of support for pedigreed livestock associations for over 108 years! I’ll let their website content represent them:

“The National Pedigreed Livestock Council represents an organization of executive officers of the various nonprofit breed associations of dairy, horse and pony, sheep, goat, swine and beef species. The Council is an opportunity for the executive officers of different species and breed groups to interchange ideas and learn from one another techniques of fulfilling the individual association objectives.

The National Pedigreed Livestock Council has adopted the objectives:

1. Sharing, discussing, and acting on livestock industry issues at regular meetings of the membership;

2. Participating in activity designed to promote the best inter-ests of breeders of pedigree livestock and member organi-zations;

3. Joining in efforts to utilize the power and economics of scale for the economic benefit of member organizations;

4. Providing chief executive officers of the various species and breeds the opportunity of self-education and communica-tion through social and educational interaction, and;

5. Originating and participating in other activities which in the judgment of the directors are in the best interest of the Council.

Recientemente fui a la junta anual del Consejo Nacional de Ganado de Pedigrí (NPLC, por sus siglas en inglés) del 2 al 4 de mayo, 2016 en Columbus, Ohio. Dan Moser de Angus Genetics, Inc., sugirió que lo contactara después de que le dije lo agradables que eran su oficina y su personal y la en-vidia que me daban los recursos que él tenía. La NPLC ha sido una fuente de apoyo para las asociaciones de ganado de pedigrí ¡por más de 108 años! Dejaré que el contenido de su sitio web los represente:

“El Consejo Nacional de Ganado de Pedigrí representa una organización de oficiales ejecutivos de las diferentes asocia-ciones sin fines de lucro de las diferentes razas de ganado lechero, caballos y ponis, borregos, chivos, puercos y de carne. El Consejo es una oportunidad para que los oficia-les ejecutivos de los diferentes grupos de especies y razas intercambien ideas y aprendan uno del otro las técnicas que les permitan satisfacer los objetivos de cada asociación in-dividual.

El Consejo Nacional de Ganado de Pedigrí ha adoptado los siguientes objetivos:

1. Compartir, hablar, y actuar sobre asuntos de la industria ganadera en las juntas regulares de la membresía;

2. Participar en actividades diseñadas para promover los mejores intereses de criadores de ganado pedigrí y las orga-nizaciones asociadas;

3. Unir esfuerzos para usar el poder y la economía de escala para el beneficio económico de las organizaciones asocia-das;

4. Dar a los presidentes de las diferentes especies y razas la oportunidad de auto-educarse y la comunicación a través de

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It was an incredible experience and I have since joined their membership. Belowis a list of some of the members I met from the various breeds. The beef breeds are highlighted.

Other breed members can be seen on their website NPLC.net. They will be launching a new website soon so keep checking their site.

One thing they did for their annual meeting that I thought was brilliant was to give breeds and businesses the opportunity to

“sponsor” portions of the convention. This is such a smart way to help breeds, associations and businesses share informa-tion about themselves while also sharing the cost of the overall event. For example, USTA sponsored the breakfast muffins and beverages for the one morning presentation and later in the day Equistem sponsored snacks during break and the second presentation of the day. The sponsors could set up displays and distribute information. Genius, I tell ya! The SCBA will looking

la interacción social y educativa; y,

5. Originar y participar en otras actividades que, a juicio de los directores, sean en el mejor interés del Consejo.

Fue una experiencia increíble y desde entonces ya me hice socia. Esta es una lista de algunos de los socios que conocí de las diferentes razas. Las razas de ganado están resalta-das.

Pueden encontrarse otros socios de las razas en su sitio de

Internet NPLC.net. Estarán lanzando un nuevo sitio web pronto, así que continúen revisando su sitio.

Una cosa que hicieron para su junta anual y que consideré brillante fue darle a los criadores y negocios la oportuni-dad de “patrocinar” partes de la convención. Esta es una manera muy inteligente de ayudar a las razas, asociaciones y negocios a compartir la información acerca de sí mismos mientras que también comparten el costo de todo el even-

NLPC Attendees:

Zane Akins, Secretary/Treasurer, The Villages, FLBilly Smith, American Paint Horse, FT Worth, TXBubba and Janie Bain, American Akaushi, Harwood, TXRory Williams, TWHBEA, Lewisburg, TNDarrell Bilke and Kim Hall, Pinto Horse. Bethany, OKBrit McLin, Shires Horse Foundation, Silt, COSharon, McLin, American Horse AssociationErica Richard, American Morgan Horse, Shelburne, VTDebbie Fuentes and Glenn Petty, Arabian Horse, Aurora, COMontie Soules, American Shorthorn, Kansas City, MOSteve Taylor, Appaloosa Horse, Moscow, ID

Junia Isiminger, American Milking Shorthorn, Union City, PAMike Paul and Brian Arnold, National Swine Registry, W Lafayette, INRobin Saum, President, American Dairy Goat AssociationKarla Stoner, American Shire Horse, Frederick, MDJim Washer, Canadian Livestock Records Council, Ottawa, CanadaAron Weir, Maxxam Analytics, Guelph, CanadaNeil Smith, Jersey Cattle, Reynoldsburg, OHBlake Nelson, Maine-Anjou, Platte City, MOCraig Huffhines, Quarter Horse, Amarillo, TXAmy Smith, Berkshire, West Lafayette, INStefanie Oppenheim, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Lab, Davis, CARebecca Powell, Senepol Cattle Breeders Association, Peter Cole, Executive Director, Holstein Association

15

into if this is something that could work at our 2017 conven-tion in St. Croix as well as into the future.

The first night was a Meet and Greet sponsored by Awards Recognition Concepts and USTA at the hotel with an open bar and some lovely small dishes. I took advantage of the opportunity to introduce myself to as many people as I could who then introduced me to others and so on. Everyone was so welcoming and seemed genuinely interested in meeting me, too. Afterwards we split up for the species dinners. That is to say the bovine and equine group went to one restau-rant while the swine, ovine and caprine members headed to a different restaurant. Another smart idea to keep the groups smaller. After dinner we returned to the hotel where most headed to the restaurant bar area to continue socializing.

The next two days were presentations pertinent to everyone such as website needs and design; developments in registry; the value of pedigreed livestock globally (presented by the SCBA’s good friend, Mike Phillips); and engaging members. in meaningful work.

to. Por ejemplo, USTA patrocinó el pan del desayuno y las bebidas para una de las presentaciones de la mañana, y más tarde en el día, Equistem patrocinó los bocadillos durante la segunda presentación del día. Los patrocinadores podían montar exhibiciones y distribuir información. ¡Genial, les digo! La SCBA revisará si esto es algo que pudiera funcio-nar en nuestra convención 2017 en St. Croix, así como en el futuro.

La primera noche Awards Recognition Concepts y USTA patrocinó un Evento para Conocerse patrocinado en el ho-tel con barra libre y algunos platillos fabulosos. Aproveché la oportunidad y me presenté con tanta gente como pude,

NPLC Group

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The 2nd evening was the NPLC Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

Presentations and awards were given for Distinguished Ser-vice to Hoard’s Dairyman, Honorary NPLC Member to Robert Luehrman of the U.S. Trotting Association and the U.S. Trotting Association presented Barbara Brooks with their Outstanding Service Award in appreciations of her over 38 YEARS OF SERVICE! Obviously, the USTA knows how lucky they are to have such a committed person in their midst.

We also got to enjoy the comic stylings of a comedian whose background in agricultural tickled this group’s funny bone. Don’t think I won’t be looking him up in the future! Not sure

quienes después me presentaron con otros, y así subsecuen-temente. Todos fueron muy cálidos y parecían realmente interesados en conocerme también. Después nos separamos para las cenas por especie. Esto es, el grupo de bovinos y equinos fue a un restaurante, mientras que los socios de animales porcinos, ovinos y caprinos fueron a otro restau-rante. Otra brillante idea para mantener los grupos chicos. Después de la cena regresamos al hotel en donde la mayoría se fue al área del bar en el restaurante para seguir sociali-zando.

Los siguientes dos días fueron presentaciones de temas ta-les como las necesidades del sitio web y de diseño; Novedades en registro; el valor del ganado de pedigrí a nivel mundial (pre-sentado por el amigo de la SCBA, Mike Phillips); y entre los miembros en un trabajo significativo.

La 2ª noche fue el Banquete NPLC y Ceremonia de Pre-miación. Las presentaciones y premios que se dieron fueron de Servicio Distinguido al Lechero de Hoard, Socio Hono-rario NPLC a Robert Luehrman de la Asociación de Troteo de Estados Unidos, y la Asociación de Troteo de Estados Unidos le dio a Barbara Brooks el Premio al Servicio Sobre-saliente en agradecimiento por sus más de ¡38 AÑOS DE SERVICIO! Obviamente, la USTA sabe la suerte que tienen de tener a una persona tan comprometida entre ellos.

También tenemos que disfrutar los estilos cómicos de un co-mediante cuyo fondo agrícola cosquillas hueso divertido de este grupo. ¡No crean que no lo vaya a buscar en el futuro! No estoy segura de que le podamos pagar, pero definitiva-mente vale la pena investigarlo. Todavía me estoy riendo.

El último día tuve que recortar mi visita para tomar mi

NPLC Banquet Comedian Adam Garman

17

if we can afford him but it’s definitely worth investigat-ing. I’m still giggling.

The last day I had to cut my visit short to catch my flight so, sadly, I didn’t get to join the tour of the Ohio State University’s dairy facilities; however, I did get join the grand tour of the OSU Col-lege of Veterinary Medicine, led by their Dean, Dr. Rus-tin Moore. I am soooo glad I had spent time Googling videos on artificial insemi-nation, embryo transplants, etc. so I knew what I was seeing when I noticed a group in lab coats getting very up close and personal with a beautiful black mare down the hall. To respect the privacy of the owners for animals in their care we were limited to what kinds of photos we could take but I couldn’t resist the large animal treadmill and the calf wear-ing adult men’s Hanes briefs! Just goes to show they’ll do whatever it takes for the animals in their care.

The OSU facility is nothing less than amazing. The fact that they have an MRI machine that will fit a horse will give you some idea of their capabilities. I’m looking forward to one day touring the NC State SOVM facility to see how it compares.

OH, BUT, I almost forgot to tell you: all the Googling and YouTubing I did definitely did NOT prepare me for what I saw when I turned one corner. None of you ever told me about ru-mens and fistulated donor animals! Apparently I was the only one in the group surprised by this “technique” or “process”. I was too in shock to think to take a photo at the time. Many of the NPLC members got a good chuckle by the look on my face as Dean Moore explained to me what I was looking at. I still get the shivers when I think about it. Brruh!

I could keep writing all night about just this tour, not to men-tion more about the NPLC event itself. I am so appreciative that Dan Moser directed me to NPLC and I look forward to being a part of it for years to come.

I’ve babbled on enough for this issue. I’m excited to con-tinue my education where and when I can find an opportu-nity and to working harder to improve the SCBA’s commu-nications with its members. We’re hopeful that our new staff member, Jessica Biel, will be a big help with that.

vuelo, así que, tristemente, no pude ir al tour de las instalacio-nes lecheras de la Universidad del Estado de Ohio; sin embar-go, sí pude ir al gran tour de la Facultad de Medicina Veterina-ria de la OSU (por sus siglas en inglés), dirigido por su Decano, Dr. Rustin Moore. Me dio mu-chísimo gusto haber invertido tiempo en investigar videos en Google acerca de inseminación artificial, transplante embrio-nario, etc., así que ya sabía lo que estaba viendo cuando observé a un grupo de batas blancas acercarse mucho a una hermosa yegua negra más delante de mí. Para respetar la privacidad de los dueños de los animales a su cuidado, nos limitamos a las fotografías que pudiéramos tomar, pero no pude resistirme a ¡la caminadora para animales grandes y el becerro usando calzoncillos Hanes de hombre adulto! Eso demuestra que hacen lo que sea por los animales a su cui-dado.

Las instalaciones de la OSU son sorprendentes. El hecho de que tienen una máquina de MRI en la que cabe un caballo, les da idea de sus capacidades. Espero algún día darme una vuelta por la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria del estado de Carolina del Norte para ver cómo se compara con este.

Ah, PERO, casi me olvido de decirles: toda la investigación que hice en Google y YouTube definitivamente ¡NO me pre-paró para lo que vi cuando di vuelta a la esquina! Ninguno de ustedes me dijo acerca de los animales donadores de rumen y fistulados! Aparentemente yo era la única en el grupo sorprendida con esta “técnica” o “proceso”. Estaba muy en shock como para pensar en tomar una foto en ese momento. Muchos de los socios de NPLC se rieron con la mirada en mi cara mientras que el Decano Moore me ex-plicaba lo que estaba viendo. Todavía me dan escalofríos cuando pienso en ello. ¡Brrr!

Podría seguir escribiendo toda la noche nada más acerca de este tour, sin excluir más acera del evento mismo de la NPLC. Estoy tan agradecida de que Dan Moser me haya dirigido hacia NPLC y ya espero ser parte de esto durante muchos años más.

Ya he hablado mucho acerca de este tema. Estoy emociona-da por seguir educándome donde y cuando encuentre una oportunidad y trabajar muy furo para mejorar la comunica-ción de SCBA con sus socios. Tenemos la esperanza de que nuestra nueva integrante del personal, Jessica Biel, será de gran ayuda con eso.

USLGE Mike PhillipsDr. Rustin Moore

There is a intense rivalry between OSU and University of Michigan. Need I say more? Hay una rivalidad intensa entre OSU y la Universidad de Michigan. ¿Necesito decir más?

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Jessica Biel joins the SCBA team!

The SCBA team is excited to welcome a new part-time member to our office. Ms. Jessica Biel is a recent graduate from one of our local col-leges with a degree in Spanish Interpreting and Translation. She has a background in the cattle industry and is excited about the SCBA and the Senepol breed. We are lucky to have found someone with such a high level of energy, pro-fessionalism and passion. I hope you all enjoy working with her as much as I do.

Let’s allow her to introduce herself:

Greetings to all!

I am excited to be a part of this group. Never would I have thought that I would be working with a group of cattle breeders! And using my Spanish to communicate with about cattle in oth-er parts of the world!I reside here downtown Wilmington, North Caro-lina. In addition to working with your organiza-tion, I manage a commercial refrigeration com-pany specializing in large market refrigeration. I spend my free time reading on the beach (after the tourists leave!), traveling, and working in the back yard.

I have studied Spanish for the last 3 years in our local college here. I am eager to use and grow the Spanish speaking and writing skills that I have learned. The cattle breeding industry is a whole new field of vernacular for me in English…and now to learn it in Spanish!

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel se une a nuestro equipo.

El equipo de SCBA está entusiasmado tener una persona nueva en la oficina. Sra. Jessica Biel se ha graduado de un colegio aquí en Wilmington con un diploma en Interpretación y Translación de Español. Ella tiene experiencia en nuestra in-

dustria y está entusiasmada de SCBA y la raza de Senepol. Tenemos suerte de haber encontrado una persona con energía, profesionalismo y pa-sión. Espero que disfruten de trabajar con ella tanto como yo. Aquí es ella….

Me llamo Jessica Biel. Estoy emocionada porque estoy un parte de este grupo, SCBA. Criadores de ganado…hablando en español…nunca hubiera pensado.

Hace tres años que estudio español aquí en Wilm-ington, Carolina del Norte pero cada día estoy aprendiendo más. Aprender un idioma nuevo ha sido un reto. Poquito a poquito.

Me encanta el mundo latino…la comida, las pla-yas, la gente. Cuando fui a Ecuador la primera vez me dije “tienes que aprender español”. He viajado a Guatemala, Ecuador y Perú. ¡Y con una invit-ación les visitaré también!

Estoy aquí para ayudarles. Si necesitan apoya o ayuda, por favor me manden un email. ([email protected]) Jessica Biel

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SPEAKERS, GUESTS AND TOUR:

The SCBA is very fortunate this year to welcome Dr. Ky Pohler from The University of Ten-nessee Institute of Agriculture to our 39th Annual Convention. Dr. Pohler is currently an As-sistant Professor of Beef Reproductive Physiology at UT-IOA and earned is Ph.D and M.S. of Animal Science at the University of Missouri and his B.S. in Animal Science at Texas A&M University. We are looking forward to his presentation on embryo mortality June 2, 2016.

The SCBA planned the convention this year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA near the Louisi-ana State University so the our members and guests would get the opportunity to tour the new

facilities of our good friends at Continental Genetics. James and Hilde Chenevert have been involved with the SCBA for a number of years. They have worked with and continue to work with SCBA members and are active with Senepol genetics worldwide. We are excited to have the opportunity to meet with them, tour their facilty and learn about new opportunities within the Senepol world.

This year the SCBA is sponsoring international travelers to visit some of our SCBA member farms and attend the convention. We welcome from the Senepol Cattle Breeder’s Society of South Africa: Wilhelm Oost-huysen and Danie Nieuwoudt. From Guatemala we have SCBA member Julio Lainfiesta (Finca Maria Olga) with Jaime Recinos and from Brazil SCBA members Kadu and Car-

Dr. Ky Pohler with Smokey

los Battistella from Senepol 77K. Along with Dr. Ky Pohler and Mark Sand-ers they will be touring several SCBA member farms and seeing a good sampling of the Senepol breed in the USA. We welcome the opportunity to learn from the feed-back from their travels and will be sharing the experience in the next Senepol World.

The SCBA would like to express its utmost gratitude for the time and energy of Dr. Pohler, Continental Genetics and SCBA Vice President Mr. Mark Sand-ers for pulling this all together for us.

Este año La SCBA está afortunada que Dr. Ky Pohler de la Instituta de Agricul-tura de la Universidad de Tennessee (UT-IOA) está asistiendo nuestra conven-ción. En este momento Dr. Pohler es un Asistente Profesor de la reproductora fisiología de res at UT-IOA y obtuvo su doctorado (Ph.D) y maestría (M.S.) en

la ciencia animal de la Universidad de Missouri y su licenciatura en la ciencia animal de la Universidad de Texas A & M. Estamos entusiasmados de su presentación de “la mortalidad embrionaria” en 2 junio.

La SCBA planificó la convención este año en Baton Rouge, LA, EEUU cerca Louisiana State University por lo tanto los miembros y invitados podía tener la oportunidad de visitar las facilidades nuevas de nuestros amigos Continental Genetics. James and Hilde Chenevert han estado involucrados con la SCBA para muchos años. Han trabajado con los miembros de la SCBA y están activos con las genéticas de Senepol mundial. Estamos emocionados tener la oportunidad a reunirse con ellos, visitar la facilidad y aprender de las oportunidades nuevas en el mundo de Senepol.

LA SCBA quisiera expresar gratitud por el tiempo y la energía de Dr. Pohler, Continental Genetics y el vicepresidente de SCBA, Mark Sanders, por su tiempo organizado esta convención. Este año la SCBA está patrocinando a los viajeros internacionales a visitar algunos ranchos de los miembros de SCBA y asistir la conven-ción. Damos la bienvenida de la Asociación de Criadores de Ganado Senepol de Sudáfrica: Wilhelm Oothuysen y Danie Nieuwoudt. Ten-emos el miembro Julio Lainfiesta de Guatemala (Finca Maria Olga) con Jamie Recinos y de Brasil los miembros Kadu y Caolis Battistella de Senepol 77K. Junto con Dr. Ky Pohler y Mark Sanders estarán visi-tando varios ranchos de los miembros de SCBA y viendo una mues-tra de la raza de Senepol en los EEUU. Damos la bienvenida a la oportunidad de aprender de sus viajes y estaremos compartiendo esta experiencia en el próximo Senepol World.

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XX New Approaches in the Production and Reproduction of Cattle

Using Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to understand and enhance fertility in cattle

Pohler, K.G., Reese, S.R. and Araujo, G.F. Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Key Points:· Pregnancy diagnosis from a blood sample enables the detection of nonpregnant cows earlierthan rectal palpation after insemination or embryo transfer

· Pregnancy diagnosis using PAGs is an efficient method that is based on detecting thepresence of a pregnancy-specific protein

· PAG testing is commercially available in both blood and milk

· PAG testing may also provide a useful tool for detection of pregnancies that have a highprobability of undergoing late embryonic mortality

Introduction:

Reproductive failure is one of the most substantial barriers to profitability in beef herds.

Management issues, cow infertility, bull infertility, heat stress and embryonic mortality are all

contributing factors to reproductive inefficiency. The brazilian beef herd has over 70 million

cows and embryonic mortality represents a lost of almost 4 billion reais/years(1). Brazil has been

at the forefront of reproductive technology adoption, including fixed time artificial insemination

(FTAI), estrus synchronization (ES), in vitro embryo production (IVP), pregnancy testing and

chemical based pregnancy testing (PAGs), in order to increase genetic progress of the national

beef herd. Brazilian semen sales of beef sires increased from 3.3 million units in 1993 to 11.9

million units in 2011(2). Between 11-12% of the total beef herd is being inseminated through AI

which equates to 5.5 million cows, this is the largest proportion in the world(3). Although these

technologies have numerous benefits, producers must dedicate time and labor resources to

successfully implement them. Traditional estrus detection protocols require monitoring twice Article page 1

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daily for extended periods of time and excludes animals that do not show estrus from

insemination. Fixed time artificial insemination and ES protocols designed to be used in timed

synchronization have been used with similar results to that of estrus detection AI with less input.

Subsequently, the adoption of FTAI protocols has increased among producers. The question is:

“How can we as producers further increase pregnancy rates to a single insemination or increase

reproductive efficiency?” The answer to that question is not so easily resolved and it has

prompted further investigations of how to increase dominant follicle maturity, increase oocyte

competence, improve the uterine environment and promote placental health, to name a few. Our

group has chosen to explore the use of PAGs (chemical based pregnancy testing) to increase

reproductive efficiency in cattle.

Maternal circulating of PAGs as tools for reproductive management in cattle

PAGs and pregnancy establishment:

Members of the modern PAG family are detectable in the maternal circulation by multiple

tests (e.g. RIA and ELISA) starting soon after the time of binucleate cell formation (day 19-20 of

gestation)(6) until a few weeks after parturition (Figure 1).(7,8) Circulating concentrations of

bovine PAGs can be influenced by a number of factors including breed, weight, parity status of

the dam, fetal sex, fetal number, and fetal birth weight, along with pregnancy stage and

status.(9,10) However, the role that PAGs play during gestation remains undefined.

To date there have been no clear functions related to modern PAGs; however, PAGs have

been shown to inhibit different immune cells, in vitro, and may camouflage fetal/placental

antigens from the immune system.(23)A majority of the work on PAGs has focused on the

development of a reliable tool for diagnosing pregnancy in multiple ruminant species including

cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, bison, moose, and elk.(11) PAGs are unique compared to other


Article page 2

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biochemical methods of pregnancy detection in cattle because these proteins are pregnancy

specific. PAG1 (also known as pregnancy specific protein B; PSPB) has been the primary PAG

of most interest in relation to early pregnancy diagnosis because of the ability to detect PAG1 in

the maternal circulation throughout gestation.(7,12) However, Greenet et al., (13) highlighted two

disadvantages in using PAG1 for pregnancy detection: 1) pregnancy diagnoses in the first month

of pregnancy could be compromised due to the low and variable circulating concentrations of

PAG1, and 2) the long half-life of these proteins (~8 days) in the maternal circulation after

partition or fetal loss. Due to these concerns, there has been interest in detecting other PAGs for

pregnancy detection. Green et al., (8) reported the establishment of an ELISA based test for early

pregnancy PAGs with a relatively short half-life (4.3 days). It has also been shown that PAG

concentrations first significantly increase in circulating around day 24 of gestation followed by a

transient rise out to partition in cattle (8, 14) which is similar to that of other small ruminants. In

the preceding study, PAGs were detected in all cattle by d 28 of gestation, PAG concentrations

peaked around the time of parturition. After parturition PAGs were undetectable by eight weeks

postpartum in 38 of the 40 cows, thus concluding that choosing different PAGs helps overcome

the persistence of PAG immunoreactivity far into the postpartum period. In similar studies, after

induced embryonic mortality, the half- life of circulating concentrations of PAGs was

determined to be 35.8 ±21.9 h.(14) These differences in PAGs half-live are presumably a result of

distinct forms of the PAG family present earlier in gestation compared to term or a result of

different clearance mechanisms between early and late pregnancy.

There are currently three commercial PAG testing platforms available for use, 1)

BioPRYN (BioTracking, LLC, Moscow, ID), 2) DG29 (Conception Animal Reproduction

Technologies, Beaumount, QC), and IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

Article page 3

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Westbrook, ME). Current PAG assays have been documented to accurately diagnose pregnancy

in cattle with an average accuracy ranging from 93 to 96% in both blood and milk. (8, 14-20)

PAGs as a predictor of late embryonic mortality and as a biochemical marker for placental function: In cattle, the incidence of late embryonic/early fetal loss around the time of embryo

uterine attachment is approximately 4 to 10%.(17, 23-27) Late embryonic mortality may have a

more significant economic impact due to the delay in conception date resulting in more variation

in calf birth dates and weights within a single calving season.

The mechanisms associated with reproductive loss around the time of placentation are

unknown, but may be associated with inadequate placental development or function. Along with

the ability to use PAG assays as tools for pregnancy-detection, PAGs may also serve as a marker

for monitoring embryonic/fetal viability along with placental function. For example, beef cows

that successfully carried a pregnancy past day 72 of gestation had higher circulating

concentrations of PAGs on day 28 compared to cows that exhibited late embryonic/fetal

mortality between day 28 to 72 (using a sandwich ELISA).(17, 26) In the preceding studies, all

cows had an embryo with a heartbeat on day 28 of gestation; however, cows that experienced

late embryonic/fetal mortality after day 28 and before day 72 had decreased circulating

concentrations of PAGs on day 28. Similar data have been reported in dairy cows(23, 25, 28) and

sheep(27) in which circulating concentrations of PAGs were higher or lower in animals that

maintained or lost a pregnancy, respectively. However, Ricci et al., (17) reported that PAGs were

not predictive of late embryonic mortality in dairy cattle. The preceding discrepancy in the

efficacy of utilizing circulating concentration of PAGs on day 28 to 30 to predict late embryonic

mortality in cattle may be explained by the specific PAG assay that was employed. There seems

to be no correlation between embryonic size (crown rump length), embryonic width or

Article page 4

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embryonic volume at day 35 or 56 of gestation in beef cattle suggesting that these lower

concentrations of PAGs in the maternal circulation are not purely reflective of a smaller embryo.

A recent study demonstrated that bPAGs were 96% accurate in diagnosing pregnancy in Bos

indicus cows. As with previous studies using the sandwich ELISA in Bos taurus cows, this assay

could accurately predict late embryo mortality based on decreased bPAG concentration at day 28

of gestation (Figure 2 and 3). However bPAG concentration cannot account for pregnancy loss

that occurs after day 45 due to ovarian failure or other physiological condition (29).

Concentrations of bPAG early in gestation are higher in Bos indicus cows that Bos taurus cows

at similar stages although the mechanism is unknown (Figure 4)(29, 30). PAG concentration of Bos

indicus cows that maintained pregnancy were 8 to 10 ng/mL higher than Bos taurus cows that

maintained pregnancy however in both subspecies cows that suffered embryonic mortality had

comparable levels of serum PAGs. Heifers also have higher PAG concentration than multiparous

cows that is independent of body weight and blood volume(29).

Pohler et al(29) also examined the effect of estrus heat strength on bPAG concentration.

Heat strength was measured with the application of an Estrotect patch where increased mounting

by other animals would change the color of the patch. Animals that had been mounted multiple

times would be given higher patch scores than animals that had not been mounted. Cows that

exhibited stronger estrus also had higher bPAG concentrations. Those with a patch score of 3 or

4 had a statistically higher concentration than patch scores of 1 and 2, which correlated with

higher pregnancy rates in the cows with increased bPAG expression (Figure 5).

Influence of sire fertility on PAGs maternal circulation

Pregnancy status and stage, breed, parity of dam, fetal sex and number, fetal birth weight,

placental weight, sire, and many more have been shown to be associated to some degree with

Article page 5

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bPAG concentrations(9,10,14). Limited data have been reported on sire effects on bPAG

concentrations early in gestation; however, based on the large influence that the sire plays in

placental development we were interested in examining this relationship. Overall, from our

previous studies, we saw no relationship between circulating concentrations of bPAGs and sire

fertility, but there was a large amount of variation across sires and bPAG production (Figure

6)(29). In addition, of eight sires tested three accounted for 70% of the late embryonic mortality

reported in the subset of cows. Surprisingly, after removing from the analysis all the cows that

underwent late embryonic mortality after day 28, those three sires exhibited significantly

decreased circulating concentrations of bPAG compared to the other five sires in the study

(Figure 7). Taken together these data suggest that the sire does influence BNC products, such as

bPAGs. Indeed, circulating amounts of bPAG may serve as a novel tool for identifying low

fertility sires.

Summary

Overall, using a biochemical marker such as PAG in ruminant ungulates may provide a powerful

technique for a producer for identifying pregnant animals along with selecting cows that are most

likely to experience embryonic/fetal loss thus increasing reproductive efficiency. As we saw that

multiple factors such as parity status and sire were shown to affect circulating concentrations of

bPAG at day 28 the circulating amounts of bPAG may serve as a novel tool for identifying low

fertility sires. Our current working hypothesis is that PAGs released into the maternal circulation

provide a useful tool for not only identifying pregnancy status, but also viablility of the

developing placenta and embryo/fetus (Figure 8).

Article page 6

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Figure 1. Circulating concentrations of PAGs during gestation in pregnant beef cows. Panel A represents the first 60 days of gestation and Panel B the entire 9 months of gestation. Interestingly, the drop in circulating PAG on about day 38 to 40 is repeatable in any breed or type of cattle.

A

B

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Figure 2. Serum concentrations of bPAGs (mean±SEM) in postpartum Nelore beef cows which received TAI on day 0 and had a viable embryo on day 28 of gestation (n=803) and either maintained (embryonic survival; n=714) or experienced embryonic mortality (n=89) by day 100. Nelore cows that experienced late embryonic mortality by day 100 of gestation had decreased (P<0.05) circulating concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 compared to cows that maintained an embryo until day 100.

Article page 8

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Figure 3. Probability of pregnancy maintenance following TAI between day 28 to 100 of gestation based on day 28 serum concentrations of bPAGs (n=803). Increased serum concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 significantly increased (P<0.05) the probability of pregnancy maintenance until day 100 of gestation in Nelore beef cows following TAI.

Figure 4. Serum concentrations of PAGs in samples collected on day 28 of gestation from pregnant Bos taurus cows and Bos indicus cows with a viable embryo based on fetal heartbeat. Cows were then divided into whether they maintained pregnancy until day 72 (Bos taurus) or day 100 (Bos indicus) of gestation (Embryonic survival) or embryonic mortality (between day 29-72 or 100). Beef cows that experienced late embryonic mortality had decreased (P<0.05)circulating concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 compared to cows that maintained an embryo.Modified from Pohler, 2015 & Pohler.(11)

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Figure 5. Serum concentrations of pregnancy associated glycoproteins of cows that exhibited different estrus intensities. Cows that exhibited stronger estrus by means of Estrotect heat dectors patch score had higher bPAG concentration on day 28.

Figure 6: Serum concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 of gestation from cows with pregnancies sired by sires 1 to 8. Although there was variation in pregnancy rate to TAI among sires (44 to 64%), there was no linear relationship between pregnancy rate by sire and circulating concentrations of bPAGs. However, there were significant differences in circulating concentrations of bPAGs among sires.

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Figure 7. Serum concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 of gestation between sires that resulted in high embryonic loss and sires that resulted in low embryonic loss. After removing all cows that lost a pregnancy after day 28 form the data set, the sires with the highest incidence of late embryonic mortality also were the sires with pregnancies that produced significantly (P < 0.05) lower maternal circulating concentrations of bPAGs on day 28 of gestation compared to the remaining sires that had pregnancies having low embryonic mortality.

Figure 8: The figure shows production of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and placental lactogen (PL) by binucleated trophoblast cells (BNC) within a placentome of the ruminant placenta. BNCs fuse with the uterine epithelial cells to form trinucleated cells, and PAGs and PL subsequently enter the maternal circulation. The working hypothesis is that placental products can be used to monitor conceptus presence and well being. Figure modified from Pohler et al., 2015.

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References

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2. Dahlen C, Larson J, Lamb GC. Impacts of reproductive technologies on beef productionin the United States. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014;752:97-114. PubMed PMID: 24170356

3. Ferraz J.B.S., Eler J.P., Rezende. 2012. Impact of using artificial insemination on themultiplication of high genetic merit beef cattle in Brazil. Anim Reprod 2012: 9: 133-138

4. Seidel GE. Reproductive biotechnologies for profitable beef production. In Proc BeefImprovement Federation Sheridan, WY. 1995:27.5. Patterson DJ, Mallory DA, Nash JM, et al. Strategies to optimize use of AI in cow/calfproduction systems: Focus on fixed-timed AI protocols for cows. Proc Applied ReproductiveStrategies in Beef Cattle Joplin, MO. 2011:43-77.6. Wooding FB, Roberts RM, Green JA. Light and electron microscopeimmunocytochemical studies of the distribution of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs)throughout pregnancy in the cow: possible functional implications. Placenta. 2005Nov;26(10):807-27. PubMed PMID: 16226131.7. Sasser RG, Ruder CA, Ivani KA, et al. Detection of pregnancy by radioimmunoassay of anovel pregnancy-specific protein in serum of cows and a profile of serum concentrations duringgestation. Biol Reprod. 1986 Nov;35(4):936-42. PubMed PMID: 3814705.8. Green JA, Parks TE, Avalle MP, et al. The establishment of an ELISA for the detection ofpregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in the serum of pregnant cows and heifers.Theriogenology. 2005 Mar 15;63(5):1481-503. PubMed PMID: 15725453.9. Patel OV, Yamada O, Kizaki K, et al. Quantitative analysis throughout pregnancy ofplacentomal and interplacentomal expression of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins-1 and -9 inthe cow. Mol Reprod Dev. 2004 Mar;67(3):257-63. PubMed PMID: 14735486.10. Lobago F, Bekana M, Gustafsson H, et al. Serum profiles of pregnancy-associatedglycoprotein, oestrone sulphate and progesterone during gestation and some factors influencingthe profiles in Ethiopian Borana and crossbred cattle. Reproduction in domestic animals =Zuchthygiene. 2009 Aug;44(4):685-92. PubMed PMID: 19055565.11. Sousa NM, Ayad A, Beckers JF, et al. Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (Pag) asPregnancy Markers in the Ruminants. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2006Nov;57(Suppl 8):153-71. PubMed PMID: WOS:000208088300013. English.12. Zoli AP, Guilbault LA, Delahaut P, et al. Radioimmunoassay of a bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in serum: its application for pregnancy diagnosis. Biol Reprod. 1992Jan;46(1):83-92. PubMed PMID: 1547318.13. Green JA, Xie S, Quan X, et al. Pregnancy-associated bovine and ovine glycoproteinsexhibit spatially and temporally distinct expression patterns during pregnancy. Biol Reprod.2000 Jun;62(6):1624-31. PubMed PMID: 10819764.14. Pohler KG, Geary TW, Johnson CL, et al. Circulating bovine pregnancy associatedglycoproteins are associated with late embryonic/fetal survival but not ovulatory follicle size insuckled beef cows. J Anim Sci. 2013 Sep;91(9):4158-67. PubMed PMID: 23825331. PMCID:23825331.

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15. Fricke PM, Giordano J, editors. Use of chemical tests for pregnancy diagnosis in areproductive management program. Proc Dairy Cattle Reprod Conf, Kansas City, MO DairyCattle Reproduction Council, Hartland, WI; 2011.16. Leblanc SJ. Short communication: field evaluation of a pregnancy confirmation test usingmilk samples in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2013 Apr;96(4):2345-8. PubMed PMID: 23403192.17. Ricci A, Carvalho PD, Amundson MC, et al. Factors associated with pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels in plasma and milk of Holstein cows during earlypregnancy and their effect on the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis. J Dairy Sci. 2015Apr;98(4):2502-14. PubMed PMID: 25660740.18. Romano JE, Larson JE. Accuracy of pregnancy specific protein-B test for earlypregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle. Theriogenology. 2010 Oct 1;74(6):932-9. PubMed PMID:20580072.19. Silva E, Sterry RA, Kolb D, et al. Accuracy of a pregnancy-associated glycoproteinELISA to determine pregnancy status of lactating dairy cows twenty-seven days after timedartificial insemination. J Dairy Sci. 2007 Oct;90(10):4612-22. PubMed PMID: 17881682.20. Thompson IM, Cerri RL, Kim IH, et al. Effects of resynchronization programs onpregnancy per artificial insemination, progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins inplasma of lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2010 Sep;93(9):4006-18. PubMed PMID: 20723675.21. Diskin MG, Morris DG. Embryonic and early foetal losses in cattle and other ruminants.Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene. 2008 Jul;43 Suppl 2:260-7. PubMed PMID:18638133.22. Diskin MG, Parr MH, Morris DG. Embryo death in cattle: an update. Reprod Fertil Dev.2011;24(1):244-51. PubMed PMID: 22394965.23. Perry GA, Smith MF, Lucy MC, et al. Relationship between follicle size at inseminationand pregnancy success. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Apr 5;102(14):5268-73. PubMedPMID: 15795381. PMCID: 556005.24. Stevenson JS, Johnson SK, Medina-Britos MA, et al. Resynchronization of estrus incattle of unknown pregnancy status using estrogen, progesterone, or both. Journal of AnimalScience. 2003 Jul;81(7):1681-92. PubMed PMID: WOS:000186718100003. English.25. Breukelman SP, Perenyi Z, Taverne MA, et al. Characterisation of pregnancy losses afterembryo transfer by measuring plasma progesterone and bovine pregnancy-associatedglycoprotein-1 concentrations. Vet J. 2012 Oct;194(1):71-6. PubMed PMID: 22516919.26. Humblot F, Camous S, Martal J, et al. Pregnancy-specific protein B, progesteroneconcentrations and embryonic mortality during early pregnancy in dairy cows. J Reprod Fertil.1988 May;83(1):215-23. PubMed PMID: 3397939.27. Wallace JM, Aitken RP, Cheyne MA, et al. Pregnancy-specific protein B andprogesterone concentrations in relation to nutritional regimen, placental mass and pregnancyoutcome in growing adolescent ewes carrying singleton fetuses. J Reprod Fertil. 1997Jan;109(1):53-8. PubMed PMID: 9068413.28. Wallace RM, Pohler KG, Smith MF, et al. Placental PAGs: gene origins, expressionpatterns, and use as markers of pregnancy. Reproduction. 2015 Mar;149(3):R115-26. PubMedPMID: 25661256. PMCID: 25661256.29. Pohler KG, Peres RFG, Green JA, et al. Use of bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins(bPAGs) to diagnose pregnancy and predict late embryonic mortality in postpartum Nelore beefcows. Theriogenology. 2015. Submitted

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®ak bani �{ZniJ?ols Line Breed

increased accura<1y/prepotency

OLR25M Registration tt 1112204

EPD BW 3.2 (.67), WW 15 (.54), MILK 16 (.41), YW 18.0 (.44)

OLR 17X Registration tt 1292163

EPD BW 2.1 (.41), WW 14 (.28), MILK 15 (.13), YW 14 (.18)

OLR 15R-(OLR25M

Registration #1116092 QLR 911} EPD BW 4.4 (.58), WW 21 (.45),

MILK 11 (.20), YW 30 (.31)


EPD BW 6.0 (.34), WW 29 (.26), MILK 8.0 (.13), YW 44 (.19)

This bull has one of the highest tenderness in Senepol breed

26 calves this year • Avg. birthweight -79#

WE HAVE SEMEN ON: 5562 (CN), Black Witch, 6000K, 25M, 33P, 15R, 27X, 21P and The Talisman

Oak bani �inipols John DeGroote

Farm

Box 639, Hurley, MS 39555 (228) 588-2826

Office 4211 Hospital Rd., Suite 208, Pascagoula, MS 39581

(228) 762-5986• Fax (228) [email protected]

EPDs

CP Shoshone 854UREG# 1286125

Progeny of CP Shoshone

CP 231Y CP 239Y CP 225Y CP 222Y

Alpha GeneticsAlpha Genetics

Birth Weaning Maternal Maternal YearlingWeight Weight Milk M & G Weight

EPD 2.7 8 2 6 15 ACC 0.62 0.53 0.21 0.26

Parker’s Senepol King FarmsCarl & Sharon Parker Earl & Ruby King305 Co. Rd. 591, Rogersville, AL 35652 P.O. Box 1391 Jackson, AL 36545Home: 256-247-0521 Home: 251-246-4869Fax: 256-247-0968 Fax: 251-246-3357Email: [email protected]

SEMEN, EMBRYOS & LIVE CATTLE AVAILABLEVisitors Welcome

®ak bani �{ZniJ?ols Line Breed

increased accura<1y/prepotency

OLR25M Registration tt 1112204

EPD BW 3.2 (.67), WW 15 (.54), MILK 16 (.41), YW 18.0 (.44)


EPD BW 2.1 (.41), WW 14 (.28), MILK 15 (.13), YW 14 (.18)

OLR 15R-(OLR25M

Registration #1116092 QLR 911} EPD BW 4.4 (.58), WW 21 (.45),

MILK 11 (.20), YW 30 (.31)


EPD BW 6.0 (.34), WW 29 (.26), MILK 8.0 (.13), YW 44 (.19)

This bull has one of the highest tenderness in Senepol breed

26 calves this year • Avg. birthweight -79#

WE HAVE SEMEN ON: 5562 (CN), Black Witch, 6000K, 25M, 33P, 15R, 27X, 21P and The Talisman

Oak bani �inipols John DeGroote

Farm

Box 639, Hurley, MS 39555 (228) 588-2826

Office 4211 Hospital Rd., Suite 208, Pascagoula, MS 39581

(228) 762-5986• Fax (228) [email protected]

hans lawaetz’: history of the senepol breed

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