The University of Florida began developing a research herd of Brahman cattle approximately five years ago. The intent of the herd was to study reproductive traits and carcass performance in the Brahman breed. The nucleus of the herd originated from the Sub Tropical Research Station at Brooksville which conducted research with Brahman cattle for more than 50 years. When the station closed, the Animal Science department had the opportunity to obtain the majority of the Brahman females. In the past five years, the herd has grown in size with the ultimate goal of having 250 spring calving Brahman cows. The herd size has increased through the use of, AI, Embryo Transfer, and In vitro Fertilization. Sexed semen was used to generate more females in the herd but many bulls were born out of natural matings and AI with non-sexed semen.
Approximately 63 bulls were born in the 2018/2019 calf crop. These bulls will be in the second annual sale and have been used in my third Seedstock Management and Marketing course. The students in class collect all the data and learn about the principles of Seedstock production including selection, feeding, and marketing.These 15 bulls offered for sale represent a very select group. Heavy attention has been placed on udder quality in the females of this herd. Additionally, no calves in the sale required assistance at birth or with nursing. At weaning, bulls were disposition scored and only bulls with exceptional dispositions were allowed to move to the next phase. Heavy attention was also placed on birth weight and sheath score, with most of the bulls in the sale being a sheath score 2. The bulls were halter broke by the Block and Bridle Club and all of the bulls remain intensely gentle and approachable today. As a learning tool for the students, we ultrasounded these bulls at 15-17 months, in April of 2020. We also conducted a semen test on the bulls to determine early puberty. This was a onetime snapshot with 58% of the bulls passing a full BSE at 14-16 months. In the catalog, a yearling SC is reported on the bulls as an indication of their early fertility. All bulls have passed a BSE in the last 60 days before the sale. These bulls were gain tested for 87 days on a commodity based ration. The bulls average consumption was 15.1lbs of feed (as fed) a day plus hay for the test duration. Sale bulls averaged 3 lbs of gain per day. Great care was taken to develop bulls at a moderate pace and this set of bulls has great feet and good joints as a result. The bulls have been forage developed for the past year in preparation for the sale and received minimal supplements last summer. They are ready to go to work in the real world.
This sale would not be possible if it was not for the generous support of many purebreed Brahman breeders in Florida. Many of these breeders have been long time supporters of the Animal Science Department and have been generous with their donations of cattle, semen, and embryos. In addition, they have provided invaluable advice. Danny Driver is the herdsman at the Beef Unit who bred and raised these bulls and has been an important part of this entire project. Jesse Savell is the herdsman at the Beef Teaching Unit and has been involved in selection and feeding of these bulls from weaning up till the sale. Of course, the 23 students who have taken the class the past three years have also played a critical part in setting the stage for the Second Annual University of Florida Brahman Bull Sale. Hope you will join us on May 4th to continue this new tradition.
Sincerely.
Todd A. Thrift and
the 2021 Seedstock Marketing and Management Class
Notes on Interpretation of the Catalog Data.
Actual and Adjusted data
BW-actual birth weight recorded in first 24 hours of birth. Indicator of potential calving difficulty.
Adj 205 wt-Adjusted weaning weight in pounds adjusted for age and sex of calf in addition to age of dam. Adjustment is made to a standard of 205 days. Indication of a bull’s growth rate and dams milking ability
Adj 365 wt- Adjusted yearling weight in pounds adjusted to 365 days of age. Indication of a bulls growth rate
Yrlng SC- Actual yearling scrotal circumference measured in cm. Actual measurement taken when yearling weight was recorded. Not adjusted for age. Indication of a bull’s age at puberty. Brahman bulls are later maturing so these numbers should not be compared to similar age British or Continental bulls.
REA- Adjusted ribeye area in square inches. Actual ribeye measurement taken by ultrasound adjusted for age of bull. Indication of a bulls muscle.
REA/cwt- Ratio of actual ribeye area to the actual weight of the bull on the ultrasound date. Not adjusted for age. Ratios of 1.1 or more are desirable. This is a better indicator of relative muscling in relation to bull size.
FT- Adjusted fat thickness in inches taken at the 13th rib via ultrasound and adjusted for age of bull. Indication of fleshing ability and can be used to help interpret IMF percentage. Bulls are typically very lean and their FT is highly correlated to the feeding regime.
IMF- Adjusted percent intramuscular fat based on ultrasound and adjusted for age of bull. Indication of a bull’s ability for marbling. IMF % of 4.0% correlate to low choice. Bulls generally have less IMF than steers due to testosterone.
FS- Frame score based on hip height at yearling time.
Current Weight- Weight taken at breeding soundness exam on April 8, 2021.
Current Scrotal Circumference- Scrotal circumference in cm at breeding soundness exam on April 8, 2021.
DISPO- Disposition score. Scale is 1-5, where one is extremely calm and five is very nervous and combative. Score is taken post weaning and bulls are isolated in a pen with a person for approximately one minute.
EPD- Expected Progeny Differences
BW- Birth weight expressed in pounds. Breed average is 1.7 lbs. Related to calving ease or difficulty as a result of birth weight. Lower numbers would indicated less calving difficulty potentially but are not a guarantee of calving ease.
WW- Weaning weight expressed in pounds. Breed average is 17 lbs. Dual trait that is made up of a bull’s ability to grow and his dam’s ability to milk.
YW- Yearling weight expressed in pounds. Breed average is 28 lbs. True measure of a bull’s ability to grow. Larger numbers also correlate to increases in mature cow size and feed consumption.
Milk- Milk production expressed in pounds a calf due to a bull’s daughter’s ability to milk. Breed average is 6.0lbs. Estimation of milking ability of a bull’s daughter. Higher numbers indicate more milk potential in daughters but also increased nutrient requirements of daughters.
SC- Scrotal circumference in cm. Breed average is -0.05. Bulls with greater genetic potential for scrotal circumference have been shown to sire offspring that reach puberty earlier. Larger numbers are more desirable.
Marb- Marbling score. Breed average is 1.75. Indication of a bull’s ability to sire calves with a higher intramuscular fat content. Larger numbers are more desirable.
REA- Ribeye area is a measure of muscling. Indication of a bull’s ability to sire heavier muscled calves. Breed average is .29. Larger numbers are more desirable.
Tend- Tenderness. Breed average is 0.01. Prediction of a meat tenderness. Larger numbers are more desirable.
DOC- Docility. Breed average is 1.00. Indication of a bull’s disposition. Larger numbers are more desirable.
$Q- $ Queen. Breed average is 23.92. Index of several traits that are related to maternal production. Larger numbers are more desirable.
University of Florida 2021 Brahman Bull Sale Terms and Conditions
Bidding will be online at the Cattle in Motion website starting on May 4th at 6 pm EST and ending on May 7th at 6 pm EST. View bulls online at cattleinmotion.com
Starting bid for all bulls will be $2,000.
Bids will be in $100 increments.
Terms: Bulls must be paid for with a check made payable to the University of Florida at the time of pickup.
Buyer is responsible for all shipping arrangements. Bulls must be picked from the University of Florida Beef Teaching Unit by May 20th unless prior arrangements have been made.
Semen has been collected on bulls 579/9 and 534/9. University of Florida Department of Animal Sciences will retain an ownership interest in these two bulls, solely for the right to register purebred Brahman calves out of this semen. Full possession and full salvage value of the bull will go to purchaser of the bull.
Registration certificates will be transferred to buyer if requested. University will pay for cost of transfer. Please provide name, ranch name, address, and association member number when making payment.
All bulls have passed a breeding soundness exam in the past 60 days. Health papers can be obtained on bulls for out of state shipment.
Trichomoniasis testing will have to be done on bulls sold out of state prior to shipment. This test will be at the bull buyer’s expense. All lots are virgin bulls and have not been exposed to cows.
Any deviation from these terms of any kind will be stated on the Cattle in Motion website and will take precedence.
Sale day phone numbers
Todd Thrift 352-538-3146
Jesse Savell 352-494-3397
DOB: 2/9/19
Current Weight: 1370 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 35.25 cm
This moderate framed, early puberty herd sire comes from the heart of the UF embryo transfer program. He has Tucker breeding on top and out of a 9 year old donor cow from the UF herd that goes back to the great BB MS LADY SUGAR 446 cow. His maternal brother sells as Lot 8. This young bull is very easy fleshing and is one of the most gentle bulls in the offering. If you are looking for moderate frame size, fleshing ability, and early puberty; take a close look at this one. Don’t miss that he is also low birth weight and above average for carcass characteristics. We thought enough of him that we have collected semen on this bull for use in the UF program, and will retain an ownership interest solely to register calves from this semen. Full possession of the bull, salvage value, and any future semen collection belongs to the buyer.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 109 REA/cwt ratio • 116 IMF ratio
• Top 1% of breed for tenderness EPD
• Top 30% of breed for birth weight EPD
• Top 3% of the breed for SC EPD and the largest yearling SC in the sale
LOT 2 UF MR GATOR 579/9
DOB: 4/9/19
Current Weight: 1530 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 37 cm
This well pigmented bull has herd sire written all over him. He is sired by the proven KCC DOUBLE DUBO 117 and out of a 10 year old UF donor cow that goes back to the great HHP MISS CHALLO 188 cow. This embryo transfer bull is good enough to work on any operation. He exhibits early fertility, outstanding growth, great IMF, and heifer potential too. This is a no-holes bull who is gentle, easy fleshing, and has tons of performance; posting the heaviest adjusted 205 day weight and 365 day weight all in a 6.2 frame score. We thought enough of him we have collected semen on this bull for use in the UF program, and will retain an ownership interest solely to register calves from this semen. Full possession of the bull, salvage value, and any future semen collection belongs to the buyer.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 13.5 months of age
LOT 3 UF MR GATOR 535/9
DOB: 2/9/19
Current Weight: 1320 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 35 cm
This is a dark pigmented embryo transfer bull that goes back to a very fertile 12 year old donor cow from the STARS herd that has never missed a calf. His full brother sells as Lot 6. Expect good fertility and longevity out of this mating. This one is very gentle and speckle necked. • 112 IMF ratio
• Top 25% for birth weight EPD
• Top 1% of breed for tenderness EPD
• Top 15% of breed for scrotal circumference EPD
DOB: 2/9/19
Current Weight: 1370 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 34 cm
Everyone who comes out seems to like this super moderate bull. He is a thick made, deep sided, meat wagon. This bull is an embryo transfer son of KT RISSO ABLE EMPRE 718 and an older proven cow from the STARS program. You can bet on moderation and fleshing ability with this choice.
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2% of breed for tenderness EPD • Top 10% of breed for birth weight EPD
LOT 5 UF MR GATOR 537/9
DOB: 2/10/19
Current Weight: 1450 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 37.25 cm
Another moderate framed embryo transfer cross between KT RISSO ABLE EMPRE 718 and an older STARS cow. Lot 5 is long sided, and moderate at the hip, with plenty of muscle from behind. 537/9 is one of the biggest hipped, widest based bulls in the offering. If you like them short and thick, take a close look at this one. He is a maternal brother to Lot 11.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 103 WW ratio
• 5.1 frame score
• Top 1% of breed for tenderness EPD
• Top 5% of breed for birth weight EPD
DOB: 2/12/19
Current Weight: 1410 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 35 cm
This dark pigmented embryo transfer bull is a full brother to Lot 3. He exhibits another great mating of KT RISSO ABLE EMPRE 718 on a no-miss STARS cow. This bull has a little more growth and performance than the other bulls of this cross in the offering. He is super well balanced with tons of breed character and plenty of performance.
• 110 Adj 205 wt ratio
• 113 ADG ratio
• Top 2% of breed for tenderness EPD
LOT 7 UF MR GATOR 715/9
DOB: 2/15/19
Current Weight: 1390 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 36 cm
This is the first polled bull that we have offered for sale. He is sired by MR US SUGAR LEO POLLED. He does have very small scurs now that he is older. There are several generations of polled genetics on the top, and three generations of UF breeding on the bottom. Lot 7 is a solid frame score 6 bull who posted the second highest IMF percentage in the sale. Take a look at this outcross pedigree with polled genetics.
• 123 IMF ratio
• Top 5% of breed for birth weight EPD
• Top 3% of breed for milk EPD
• Top 15% of breed for tenderness EPD
• Top 15% of breed for docility EPD
DOB: 2/17/19
Current Weight: 1390 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 36 cm
We could have started the sale with this bull. He was a standout in the weaning pen. This big boned, heavy muscled bull is a maternal brother to Lot 1, and sired by + MDS BERCH MANSO 155, who was the 1991 Premier Show Bull of Florida. 720/9 is the natural calf out of a 9 year old donor cow who is out of BB MS LADY SUGAR 446, a matriarch of the Barthle Brothers herd. Proven genetics make this offering a special one. Don’t miss the opportunity to bid on this proven pedigree.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 109 REA/cwt ratio
• Top 5% of breed for birth weight EPD with a 68lb birth weight
• Top 5% of breed for milk EPD
• Top 2% of breed for scrotal circumference EPD
• Top 10% of breed for docility EPD
• Top 4% of breed for tenderness EPD
DOB: 2/17/19
Current Weight: 1680 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 37.5 cm
If you are looking to add pounds and carcass to your calf crop, take a close look at Lot 9. He is the largest framed bull in the offering, posting a 7.7 frame score and showing great growth and excellent carcass potential. This bull is sired by JCC SUGARA LOX ESTO 735 who produced several well received lots in last year’s sale. This is the only “735“ son in this offering.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 110 Adj 205 wt ratio
• 121 ADG ratio
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LOT 10 UF MR GATOR 724/9
DOB: 2/20/19
Current Weight: 1540 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 38.5 cm
Lot 10 is another growthy bull with lots of power who has the highest WW and YW EPDs in the sale. We sold a full brother to him in last year’s sale. This is a great combination bull with early fertility and super growth in a frame score 6.2.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 113 WW ratio
• 108 YW ratio
• Top 3% of breed for milk EPD
• Top 25% for marbling EPD
• Top 30% for yearling weight EPD
LOT 11 UF MR GATOR 727/9
DOB: 2/22/19
Current Weight: 1390 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 34 cm
This is the only son in the offering out of TA GILBERT’S EMPEROR MARU and a proven UF donor cow. He is a maternal brother to Lot 5 and the natural calf of STARS 11-162. This is a clean sheathed bull who is very balanced in his design. He is moderate framed, with one of the highest IMF scan numbers in the offering. Don’t miss this balanced trait carcass sire.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 103 REA ratio
• 121 IMF ratio
• Top 1% of breed for birth weight EPD
• Top 1% of breed for tenderness EPD
DOB: 2/25/19
Current Weight: 1410 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 34 cm
This bull just keeps getting better with age. 735/9 is a big-topped, long-sided, stout featured bull, with plenty of natural thickness. This bull posted the largest REA and REA/cwt measures in the sale. He is the only bull in the offering sired by the moderate framed REP WALTER MANSO, who sired the high selling bull in last year’s sale. Look for this bull to add muscling and eye appeal to his progeny in a low birth weight package.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 15 months of age
• 115 REA ratio
• 121 REA/cwt ratio
• Top 1% of breed for birth weight EPD with a 70lb actual BW
LOT 13 UF MR GATOR 747/9
DOB: 2/17/19
Current Weight: 1325 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 34.5 cm
Deep-sided and well balanced, with exceptional carcass traits describes Lot 13. This bull has a stacked pedigree for maternal performance. His dam is a good young cow with a great udder. This bull is a carcass standout posting the highest IMF percentage and the second highest REA/cwt. Don’t miss this moderate framed, early puberty, carcass sire.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 14 months of age
• 117 REA/cwt ratio
• 123 IMF ratio
• Top 3% of breed for BW EPD with a 66lb actual BW
• Top 15% of breed for marbling EPD
LOT 14 UF MR GATOR 760/9
DOB: 3/28/19
Current Weight: 1480 lbs
Current Scrotal Circumference: 33 cm
Lot 14 is a moderated framed bull that has shown good growth performance. He has Kempfer breeding on top and is out of a 9 year old daughter of MR TAES 7145 who has worked exceptionally well in our program. This bull is a moderate, easy fleshing, and early puberty package. This clean sheathed bull should work well on heifers as well.
• Passed breeding soundness exam at 14 months of age
• 107 WW ratio
• 105 ADG ratio
• 105 YW ratio
• Top 2% of breed for birth weight EPD with a 70lb BW
LOT 15 UF MR GATOR 770/9
770/9 is the youngest bull in the sale. He was not dehorned as a calf. This moderate framed bull offers an outcross pedigree to most Florida breeding. Sired by NMSU DUBO CHERRA 1120 with some Flying W breeding on the bottom, this young bull is deep sided, with plenty of bone. This bull is super gentle and moderate framed with a lot of breed character.
