Tricky’s Herefords BULL SALE
SALE DAY PHONE: Dick Wettlaufer
TERMS and CONDITIONS:
Insurance will be available sale day.
605/270-3465
We would like to welcome you to our 2026 sale on March 21 at 2:00 pm in Winfred.
We strive to produce bulls that are in the upper 10% of the breed for yearling weight, udder quality, ribeye area, and CHB (cattle feeders index). Notice in the catalog the small number under the EPD number. This gives the percentile rank in the breed. For example, yearling weight EPD of 126 = top 1%, ribeye area EPD of 0.99 = top 1%, or CHB number of 164 = top 5%, BMI number of 443 = top 15%. Please note that we have many bulls with EPDs at the very high end of the breed. Refer to the percentile sheet on page 12.
We look forward to visiting with you on March 21st or before. Please compare our numbers. They really do make a difference.
Tricky & Betty Wettlaufer
GUARANTEE: Every animal in this sale, is to the best of our knowledge, free from any disease or defect. Any known defects will be called at sale time. Animals are guaranteed breeders. If an animal fails to breed after a trial of six months, it may be returned to the seller if in good condition and in compliance with South Dakota health regulations. The seller reserves the right to try said animal for six months, and if it proves a breeder, return it to the buyer at the buyer’s expense. No adjustments will be made after nine months of sale day. If the animal proves to be a nonbreeder, an animal of comparable rank will be substituted. We assume no liability, legal or otherwise, to make any further compensation to the buyer. No other warranty of any nature is expressed or implied.
TRICKY’S HEALTH: 3 rounds of Bovi-Shield Gold and One Shot or otherwise similar.
DELIVERY: Free delivery up to 200 miles and free keep until May 15, 2026. Will cooperate on longer hauls and extended feeding. Free delivery up to 400 miles on purchases of $5,000 or more.
VET: Lake Vet of Madison 605-256-3547.
ABSENTEE BIDDING: If you would like to place a bid but are unable to attend the sale, please direct your bid to Tricky or any of the sale staff. You can also view the sale and bid online at Live-Ag.com.
AIR TRAVEL: Sioux Falls Regional Airport is served by several major airlines. Special arrangements can also be made with the Madison Airport.
SUPPLEMENT: Scan data and DNA info will be available on TheLivestockLink.com.
Tricky’s Herefords
Dick & Betty Wettlaufer - (605) 485-2648 • Cell: (605) 270-3465 44132 234th St. • Winfred, SD 57076-7318 E-mail: rwettlaufer@triotel.net
REFERENCE SIRES
RVVALIDATED301L
REFERENCE SIRES
YEARLING HEREFORD BULLS
YEARLING HEREFORD BULLS
HICKEY RED
YEARLING HEREFORD BULLS
LOT12•TRICKYSREDNECKE401480JN43
HICKEY
YEARLING HEREFORD BULLS
HICKEY RED BARON 204K
YEARLING HEREFORD BULLS
LOT29•TRICKYSENDUREK1011480JN45
HICKEY RED BARON
20N1010.226N03-0.34N83724N83132 26N039.736N020.16N75719N38114 22N399.520N100.213N67696N75111 23N019.523N010.212N436921N29110 17N138.630N730.91N206813N67109 36N028.614N191.09N386818N81109 24N188.219N591.121N296711N86108 25N768.227N501.316N476628N27107 32N847.822N391.428N276635N46107 27N507.42N611.418N816616N47105 11N866627N50105 31N00105 8N31105
4N831.101N200.8527N505161N20206 1N201.092N610.816N755092N61201 6N751.076N750.7320N105043N78187 18N811.045N660.7132N844924N83186 7N110.9910N820.545N664925N66185 8N310.9816N470.482N614926N75184 3N780.9813N670.4814N194917N11176 12N430.9512N430.4822N394878N31174 32N840.9414N190.4717N134769N38170 9N380.939N380.4316N4746710N82170 14N190.933N780.43
PercentileDirect
Top%22.9-8.7100156-1.2338.2599114.9-3122136-0.0961.741.46696803269
1%15.6-4.379127-0.7227.642759.1261.61.6106-0.0361.080.67545653195
5%11.4-0.873116-0.21.724.437706.8571.51.596-0.0160.890.47494593172
10%9.50.169111-0.11.622.935675.7661.41.591-0.0060.80.38467561160
15%8.30.76710701.521.834654.9721.41.487-0.0060.740.32449539152
20%7.31.16510401.42133644.3751.41.4850.0040.690.28434522146
25%6.61.4641020.11.320.332623.8781.41.4830.0040.650.25423508142
30%5.91.7631000.11.319.731613.3811.31.4810.0140.620.23412495138
35%5.31.961980.21.219.130602.9841.31.3790.0140.580.2402484134
40%4.72.260960.21.218.629592.5861.31.3770.0140.550.18393473131
45%4.12.459950.21.118.129582.1881.31.3760.0240.520.16385463128
50%3.62.658930.31.117.628571.7911.31.3740.0240.50.14376454125
55%3.12.857910.3117.127561.4931.31.3730.0240.470.12368444122
60%2.5356890.4116.627551951.21.3710.0340.440.11360434119
65%23.355870.40.916.126540.5971.21.2700.0340.410.09351424116
70%1.43.554850.40.915.525530.11001.21.2680.0340.380.07342413113
75%0.73.852830.50.8152452-0.41031.21.2670.0440.350.05333402110
80%04.151810.50.814.32350-0.91061.21.2650.0440.310.03324391106
85%-0.84.449780.60.713.62248-1.51091.11.1620.0540.270.01312378102
90%-24.946740.70.612.62046-2.41141.11.1590.0540.21-0.0229836297 95%-3.75.642660.80.511.21641-3.51221.11530.0740.12-0.0627734089
99%-6.97.191010.18.4611-5.81380.90.9220.094-0.19-0.1523629561 Bottom%-14.911-19-322.4-1-4-13-14-141890.50.5-190.164-0.91-0.443778-2
EXPLANATION OF HEREFORD EPDS
CALVING EASE DIRECT (CED):
CE EPD is based on calving ease scores and birth weights and is measured on a percentage. CE EPD indicates the influence of the sire on calving ease in females calving at 2 years of age. For example, if sire A has a CE EPD of 6 and sire B has a CE EPD of -2, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would be born with an 8% more likely chance of being unassisted when compared to sire B’s calves.
BIRTH WEIGHT (BW):
BW EPD is an indicator trait for calving ease and is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a BW EPD of 3.6 and sire B has a BW EPD of 0.6, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would come 3 lb. heavier at birth when compared to sire B’s calves. Larger BW EPDs usually, but not always, indicate more calving difficulty. The figure in parentheses found after each EPD is an accuracy value or reliability of the EPD.
WEANING WEIGHT (WW):
WW EPD is an estimate of pre-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a WW EPD of 60 and sire B has a WW EPD of 40, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 20 lb. heavier at weaning when compared to sire B’s calves.
YEARLING WEIGHT (YW):
YW EPD is an estimate of post-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a YW EPD of 100 and sire B has a YW EPD of 70, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 30 lb. heavier at a year of age when compared to sire B’s calves.
MATERNAL MILK (M):
The milking ability of a sire’s daughters is expressed in pounds of calf weaned. It predicts the difference in average weaning weights of sires’ daughters’ progeny due to milking ability. Daughters of the sire with a +14 MM EPD should produce progeny with 205-day weights averaging 24 lb. more (as a result of greater milk production) than daughters of a bull with a MM EPD of -10 lb. (14 minus -10.0 = 24 lb.). This difference in weaning weight is due to total milk production during the entire lactation.
MATERNAL MILK & GROWTH (M&G):
Maternal Milk & Growth reflects what the sire is expected to transmit to his daughters for a combination of growth genetics through weaning and genetics for milking ability. It is an estimate of daughters’ progeny weaning weight. A bull with a 29 lb. M&G EPD should sire daughters with progeny weaning weights averaging 19 lb. heavier than progeny of a bull’s daughters with a M&G EPD of 10 lb. (29 minus 10 = 19 lb.). It is equal to one-half the sire’s weaning weight EPD, plus all of his MM EPD. No accuracy is associated with this since it is simply a mathematical combination of two other EPDs. It is sometimes referred to as “total maternal” or “combined maternal.”
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE (SC):
Measured in centimeters and adjusted to 365 days of age, SC EPD is the best estimate of fertility. It is related to the bull’s own semen quantity and quality, and is also associated with age at puberty of sons and daughters. Larger SC EPDs suggest younger age at puberty. Yearling sons of a sire wth a .7 SC EPD should have yearling scrotal circumference measurements that average 0.7 centimeters (cm) larger than progeny by a bull with an EPD of 0.0 cm. In the Hereford genetic analysis, a multiple-trait model was used for scrotal circumference. Weaning weight was used as a predictor variable to increase the prediction accuracy of SC EPDs. Therefore, an animal with a weaning weight EPD should also have a SC EPD.
SUSTAINED COW FERTILITY (SCF):
The AHA’s new Sustained Cow Fertility EPD (SCF) is a prediction of a cow’s ability to continue to calve from three years of age through twelve years of age, given she calved as a two-year-old. The EPD is expressed as a deviation in the proportion of the ten-possible calving’s to twelve years old expressed as a probability. For example, the daughters of a bull with a 30 EPD would have the genetic potential to have one more calf by age twelve then the daughters from a bull with a 20 EPD. In other words, the daughters from the 30 EPD bull would have a 10% greater probability of having one more calf than the bull with a 20 EPD. This is equivalent to saying that the daughters are 10% more likely to remain in the herd to age 12.
MATERNAL CALVING EASE (CEM):
MCE EPD predicts how easily a sires daughters will calve at 2 years of age and is measured on a percentage. For example, if sire A has a MCE EPD of 7 and sire B has a CE EPD of -3, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s daughters would calve with a 10% more likely chance of being unassisted when compared to sire B’s daughters.
MATURE COW WEIGHT (MCW):
The MCW EPD was designed to help breeders select sires that will either increase or decrease mature size of cows in the herd. The trait was developed after years of cow weight data collection and the EPD relates directly to the maintenance requirements of a cow herd. An example of how the MCW EPD allows breeders to compare sires: If sire A has a MCW EPD of 100 and sire B has an EPD of 85, then you would expect the females of sire A, if mated to similar cows, to be 15 lb. heavier at mature size.
UDDER SUSPENSION (UDR):
Scores range from 9 (very tight) to 1 (very pendulous) and represent assessments of udder support. Weak udder suspension results in pendulous udders that make it difficult for a calf to nurse. Weak suspension in the udder indicates a lack of support in the ligament that ties the udder to the cow’s body wall. Over time, weakness in this ligament will allow the udder to hang down too far from the body and may subject the udder to serious problems and increased potential for injury.
UDDR EPDs are reported on the scoring scale. Differences in sire EPDs predict the difference expected in the sires’ daughters’ udder characteristics when managed in the same environment. For example, if sire A has a UDDR EPD of 0.4, and sire B has a UDDR EPD of -0.1, the difference in the values is 0.5, or one-half of a score. If daughters of sires A and B are raised and managed in the same environment, you would expect half a score better udder suspension in daughters of sire A, compared to sire B.
CARCASS WEIGHT (CW):
Carcass weight is a beneficial trait when considering the impact that pounds have relative to end product value. At the same age constant endpoint, sires with higher values for carcass weight will add more pounds of hot carcass weight compared to sires with lower values for carcass weight. For example, if sire A has a CW EPD of 84 and sire B has a CW EPD 64, then you would expect the progeny of sire A, if harvested at the same age constant endpoint, to have a 20-lb. advantage in terms of hot carcass weight.
RIB FAT (FAT):
The FAT EPD reflects differences in adjusted 365-day, 12th-rib fat thickness based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with low, or negative FAT EPDs are expected to produce leaner progeny than sires with higher EPDs. Ultrasound measures are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.
RIBEYE AREA (REA):
REA EPDs reflect differences in an adjusted 365-day ribeye area measurement based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with relatively higher REA EPDs are expected to produce better-muscled and higher percentage yielding slaughter progeny than will sires with lower REA EPDs. Ultrasound measurements are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.
MARBLING (MRB):
MARB EPDs reflect differences in an adjusted 365-day marbling score (intramuscular fat, [IMF]) based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Breeding cattle with higher MARB EPDs should produce slaughter progeny with a higher degree of IMF and therefore higher quality grades. Ultrasound measurements are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.
(continued on next page)
BALDY MATERNAL INDEX (BMI$):
The Baldy Maternal Index is a maternally focused index that is based on a production system that uses Hereford x Angus cross cows. Progeny of these cows are directed towards Certified Hereford Beef. This index has significant weight on Sustained Cow Fertility, which predicts fertility and longevity of females. There is a slightly positive weight on Weaning Weight, Mature Cow Weight and Milk which accounts for enough growth but ensures females do not increase inputs. There is some negative emphasis on Dry Matter Intake, but a positive weighting on Carcass Weight which is anticipated to provide profitability from finishing of non-replacement females and castrated males. Marbling and Ribeye Area are also positively weighted to keep the harvested progeny successful for CHB. This index is geared to identify Hereford bulls that will be profitable when used in a rotational cross with mature commercial Angus cows.
CERTIFIED HEREFORD BEEF (CHB$):
The Certified Hereford Beef Index is a terminal sire index that is built on a production system where Hereford bulls are mated to mature commercial Angus cows and all progeny will be targeted for Certified Hereford Beef after the finishing phase. This index has significant weight on Carcass Weight to ensure profit on the rail. As well there is a positive weighting for Average Daily Gain along with a negative weighting on Dry Matter Intake to ensure efficient pounds of growth in the finishing phase. Keep in mind, this production system takes advantage of complimentary breeding with the commercial Angus cow. Although Marbling is weighted positively in this index, a positive weighting for Rib-eye Area and a negative weighting for Back Fat are a greater priority in this index to allow for optimum end-product merit. This is the only index that has no emphasis on fertility. Remember that no replacement heifers are being retained.
GENETICALLY ENHANCED EPDS (GE-EPD):
All the Hereford bulls in the sale will have GE-EPDs.
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The Power of Genomically Enhanced EPDs
The American Hereford Association (AHA) has embraced the use of genomics into their genetic evaluation by launching a first of its kind single step analysis that utilizes the marker effects of specific traits. Likewise, AHA is directly estimating accuracy values rather than approximating. The direct estimation of accuracy results in a more conservative value but a more accurate value than previous methodologies. The AHA is producing the most reliable genetic evaluation that is supported by Whole Herd TPR™ and genomics, which will give prospective buyers added confidence in purchasing young and unproven animals.
Buying animals that have a genomic profile incorporated into their Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) offers many advantages that allow for quicker breed and herd improvement. To the right is a table showing the average increase in accuracy when buying a young animal with a Genomic Enhanced EPD (GE-EPD) versus an animal without a GE-EPD. Similarly, an effective progeny number increase is listed by trait that shows how many progeny equate to a genomic enhancement of a young animal (e.g. yearling). That’s right, buying a young animal that has been genotyped is like having 2-17 progeny, depending on the trait. The proof gained on young, non-parent animals, through a genomic enhancement is valuable and greatly mitigates the risk and allows for more directed selection.
