Greetings from the Iowa Beef Connection and welcome to the 5th Annual IBC Performance-Tested Bull Sale.  Our founding members include Van Aernam Simmentals, Exira, Iowa; McDermott Simmentals, Fontanelle, Iowa; HRM Simmentals, Wiota, Iowa; VWF Simmentals, Sully, Iowa and Bielenberg Simmentals and Angus, Ames, Iowa.  With nearly 500 brood cows represented, IBC strives to offer commercially-targeted SimGenetics that enhance customer profitability. From a strong genetic base driven by balanced trait selection, to sire development that promotes soundness, fertility and longevity, IBC strives to earn your bull-buying confidence.

Bull Selection

IBC aims to produce, select and develop bulls that are moderately framed, stout, deep bodied and easily fleshing with proven maternal and carcass traits. With selection decisions being made at birth, weaning and throughout sire development, IBC intensely selects for these desirable attributes. Bulls are selected for weight per day of age, EPD’s, conformation, disposition, calving ease and fertility. Again in 2010, we will assist customers’ selection decisions by providing complete EPDs, ultrasound carcass information, performance information and a complete breeding soundness guarantee.

Sire development has been paramount to the Iowa Beef Connection.To evaluate, develop and select the sire candidates, the bulls have been managed under one management discipline since weaning. Our goal throughout the feeding process has been to grow out the bulls on a ration that promotes soundness and fertility yet yields enough performance to evaluate the bulls’ gains and weight per day of age. We have been very satisfied with the reports we have received from our past customers on the condition and breeding soundness that the bulls have shown.

As documented by the US Meat Animal Research Center Reports, Continental and British crossbred cattle make more money year in and year out for cow/calf operations, cattle feeders and packers than any other breed combinations.  Nearly all crossbreeding research over the past 40 years has concluded that maximum commercial profitability requires heterosis, including females that are 25% more productive over their lifetime and offer 1.5 years greater longevity in the cow herd vs. their purebred counterparts.  After years of advanced genetic evaluation, a commitment to research and consistent breed improvement, Simmental and SimGenetics are poised to fill the position of the most logical and profitable choice for Continental genetics.  To take advantage of valuable SimGenetics we invite you to be with us April 3rd, 2010 at the Anita Livestock Auction, Anita, Iowa.  We look forward to another year of “Connecting Cattlemen to Profitable SimGenetics!”