BULL SALE Order Catalog MARCH 17, 2025 At the Ranch -- HANNA, AB Purebred Charolais, Simm/Angus
Bull Program Feed Efficiency Bull Offer and Terms Marketing Options Bull Scoring More Game Changer Sires Dams Bull Ranking Current Catalogue Order Bull Catalogue
HIGHWAY 21 GROUP BULLS

We focus on identifying value in beef production and the reliable data on our bulls allows you to select the bull which will maximize your profit in your herd – dollars in your pocket.

To enable beef to remain a desired protein and affordable to the consumer, we gain efficiencies in production while reducing our environmental footprint.

We use individually focused scientific tests, beef grading quality measurements and genetic scoring to identify the most profitable traits, in all aspects of beef production.

         

Testimonials

We purchased a Simmental hybrid bull at the 2023 H21 Bull sale, and were very impressed with the bull ranking and feed efficiency testing Highway 21 does. Lyle took us through the bull pens a month prior to sale day and walked us through the many different ways they measure feed efficiency carcass data calving ease and many other important aspects we look for when selecting a herd bull. The Herdtrax system alone was very valuable to me as it allowed us to easily pick a bull with traits that we needed to improve certain traits in our herd. The ease of sorting through desirable traits we were after made this very easy to sort through bulls and have a list to bid on sale day. We got what we wanted and under our budget. The data they collected on these bulls was impressive not to mention the great one on one service we received was very nice. - Trevor Hagel

 
 

Last March, I concluded a family visit to Alberta with a stop at the Highway 21 bull sale. I was welcomed and assisted in my selection by Lyle Miller and Scott Brady. I chose 146J to head east to be part of our bull battery. 146J is backed by good performance numbers and pedigree. He has super temperament which is essential for us old people, correct stature and most importantly is well muscled. He came off pasture this fall weighing about the same as when he went out to work. We look forward to seeing his calves in the spring and we are confident that 146J will help us to continue to produce top selling stockers that we sell at Keady Livestock Market. - Carolyn Closs, Harolyn Farms, Shawville Quebec

The Importance of Feed Efficiency Selection in Beef Cattle in Canada

Feed efficiency in beef cattle is a critical factor for optimizing production and sustainability in Canada's cattle industry. As the sector faces increasing economic and environmental pressures, selecting for feed efficiency—defined as the ability of cattle to convert feed into body weight gain efficiently—has become essential for maximizing profitability and reducing environmental impact.

Economic Benefits

Feed constitutes a significant portion of the operational costs in beef production. In Canada, where feed costs can account for up to 60% of total production expenses (Canadian Cattlemen's Association, 2022), improving feed efficiency can substantially enhance profitability. Cattle that exhibit higher feed efficiency require less feed to achieve the same weight gain as less efficient animals. This efficiency reduces feed costs per unit of beef produced, directly improving the bottom line for producers (Harris et al., 2019). Additionally, more efficient cattle are less reliant on expensive feed supplements, further lowering production costs.

Environmental Impact

Feed efficiency also plays a vital role in reducing the environmental footprint of beef production. The beef industry is under increasing scrutiny regarding its environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Cattle that are more efficient in converting feed to weight gain generally produce less methane per unit of beef (Hristov et al., 2019). Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a byproduct of enteric fermentation during digestion. By selecting for feed efficiency, producers can contribute to lowering methane emissions, aligning with Canada's climate goals and improving the industry's sustainability profile.

Genetic Selection and Management

Genetic selection for feed efficiency involves identifying and breeding cattle with superior feed conversion ratios. Advanced technologies, such as genomic selection, have made it possible to more accurately select for this trait. Research shows that breeding for feed efficiency can lead to improvements in average daily gain and feed conversion ratios without compromising other important traits such as meat quality or reproductive performance (Moran et al., 2020). Additionally, feed-efficient cattle often exhibit better overall health and longevity, further enhancing their value.

Implementing feed efficiency selection requires careful management. Producers must use precise measurement tools and data collection methods to identify and monitor feed efficiency in their herds. Technologies like individual feed intake measurement systems and genetic testing can provide valuable insights into which animals are the most feed-efficient (Harris et al., 2019). Integrating these technologies into herd management practices enables producers to make informed decisions and achieve optimal results.

Conclusion

In summary, feed efficiency selection is of paramount importance for beef cattle production in Canada. It offers significant economic advantages by reducing feed costs, contributes to environmental sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances overall herd performance through genetic improvement. As the beef industry continues to evolve, prioritizing feed efficiency will be crucial for maintaining competitiveness and addressing environmental concerns. By embracing advancements in genetic selection and management practices, Canadian beef producers can achieve these benefits and ensure a more sustainable and profitable future for the industry.

References

Canadian Cattlemen's Association. (2022). Cost of Production in the Beef Industry. Retrieved from www.cattlemen.ca
Harris, L. J., et al. (2019). The Impact of Feed Efficiency on Beef Production Economics. Journal of Animal Science, 97(7), 3001-3012.
Hristov, A. N., et al. (2019). Mitigation of Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 250, 1-16.
Moran, C. A., et al. (2020). Genetic Selection for Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle: Advances and Applications. Genetics and Molecular Biology, 43(3), 278-291.
Residual Feed Intake (RFI) References

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency that is calculated as the difference between an animal’s actual feed intake and its expected feed intake. RFI is independent of body weight and size. Differences in the trait cannot be detected by physically looking at an animal, it requires accurate and simultaneous measurement of an animal’s feed intake and body weight. Animals with low RFI values are more efficient than those with high RFI values.1

Assuming a herd of cattle have a normal distribution for RFI, selection for RFI could improve efficiency by 20 percent. There is no other single technology that holds this much promise to reduce feed costs.1

Since the heritability of the trait is about 40%, substantial progress can be made in RFI. 2

RFI Success Story

Our herd average feed to gain ratio is nearly two pounds below the industry average and after stacking several generations of feed efficient genetics we are now producing cattle with less than a 3:1 feed to gain ratio. 3


1: Fast Facton-Farm Genetic Selection For Feed Efficiency, Vytelle, link here
2: Agri-Facts, July 2006, Residual Feed Intake (Net Feed Efficiency) in Beef Cattle, link here
3: AJ Munger, Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore, South Dakota, link here
Feed Savings at Various Barley Prices when selecting for RFI/DMC
Based on a 650 lb steer
Per Head   Barley Cost
Feedlot Dry Matter Conversion % Improvement $413/MT ($9/bu) $253/MT ($5.50/bu) $183/MT ($4/bu)
6.8 Baseline $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
5.95 12.5% $153.00 $99.00 $74.00
5.1 25% $306.00 $198.00 $148.00
 
Per Sire   Barley Cost
Calves Sired % Improvement $413/MT ($9/bu) $253/MT ($5.50/bu) $183/MT ($4/bu)
76 Baseline $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
76 12.5% $11,628.00 $7,524.00 $5,624.00
76 25% $23,256.00 $15,048.00 $11,248.00
 
Based on 4 years of use of a bull @ 95% calf crop and 20 calves sired naturally per year
Bull Sale Terms

Sales Process

These bulls are for sale at our 1st Annual live auction on Monday March 21, 2022 at the Ranch, Hanna, Alberta. We are happy to have T Bar C helping to make this event a success as well as memorable.

Yearling and 2 year Old Bulls

We are offering yearling and 2 year old bulls. Quite simply, we cut off the age for the yearling bulls to be born prior to March 31 st. Bulls offered that were born after March 31 will be 2 year old bulls. These bulls will only be represented for sale once. There will not be any unsold bulls rolled over to the following year.

Bull Finance Program

Sale Bull Delivery and Development

    Delivery

    Sale Bull Development

Bull Guarantee

We guarantee our bulls have:

  1. passed a semen evaluation by a licensed veterinarian prior to sale. A certificate will be available upon request.
  2. Bull is structurally sound and healthy and will have no issues breeding cows naturally.
  3. We stand behind the safety of being able to handle our bulls. Just like our own lives, our customer lives are of the utmost importance. All our bulls can be handled using proper animal handling skills. These bulls have all been handled on foot, horseback, with quads and in some cases cattle dogs. We have culled any of them that looked at us strange, ducked at us during sorting, had their head high and hang out at the back of the group, or need an excessive flight zone distance resulting in the bulls moving off pressure in a very quick like manner. We have also walked the bull pen hundreds of times to assess their temperament and get them used to interaction with people.
  4. Our bulls have the fleshing ability to return to pre-breeding condition prior to the next breeding season (assuming no more than a 90 day breeding season) and the same start to the breeding season the next year. This can be achieved with a high quality forage ration or diet
  5. We know that the most important thing is for the cows to get bred. Thus if you have any issues with the bull, contact us immediately so we can supply another bull as quick as possible. Your options for bull replacements are:
    •   We will replace the bull with one of equal or superior quality at no additional cost.
    •   If an inferior bull is being used as a replacement compared to the original bull purchased, we will adjust the value and issue you a payment for the spread.
    •   If no replacement bull is desired in the same season from ourselves, we will take back the bull, or take the salvage value if shipped and issue you a full credit for a bull purchased in the future.
    •   The bull that is being replaced becomes the property of Hwy21 to salvage/sell.

Interest

Hwy21 reserves the right to charge 1.5% interest per month or 18% per annum on any bills 90 days in arrears from invoice date, if prior arrangements haven’t been made by the purchaser.

Registration

All registered bulls sold will be transferred to the purchaser.

Retained Interest

Hwy 21 reserves a 1% interest in all bulls sold for the purpose of drawing semen if they desire at a time convenient to the purchaser. Any interest higher than 1% will be communicated on an individual bull basis prior to sale and the terms set out with the interest. In these cases, this may be enacted for the purpose of Hwy21 sharing the walking rights of a specific bull or for the purpose of sharing in any semen rights.

Calf Marketing

At Highway 21 Feeders, we are always looking for exceptional cattle to buy and feed. We know the bulls you have bought, the traits they excel in and as well their dam and sire better than anyone. This makes the calves they sire of utmost interest to us, and a product that we would love to pay a premium for. However, we are not always buying all weight classes and sexes, therefore our buy back contains 3 promises. These may be used however you wish, or not at all. It is up to you!

1. We will buy your calves direct when the transaction is right for both of us. There will be no commission charged or marketing fees. There will only be an industry standard shrink applied. If desired by the seller, freight can be arranged. We will use the superior traits of the bulls purchased and pay premiums where we can on his progeny.

2. Since we are also on the feedlot side of the industry, we know what traits (feed efficiency, daily gain, grading, etc.) are sought after and what their value is when buying feeder animals. When we are unable to buy your calves for whatever reason, we will bridge the gap between our bull customers and other feeder buyers, and “talk the talk” to represent your progeny to the best of our abilities. Your cattle will no longer be represented to buyers with only the customary “these calves are sired by top bulls from....”. We will do this free of charge. You always reserve the right to market them yourselves if we do not achieve a price you're happy with.

3. If we are buying the weight class and sex of calves you're selling, but you wish to sell at your local market, we will have a representative bid on your calves on sale day.

It is important to properly promote any vaccination, preconditioning and health and nutrition program you employ in your herd. We can help walk you through what is important to represent the cattle to the fullest.

With all the marketing options, we require a minimum of 2 weeks of notice prior to when you want to market your calves. If we are unable to come view the calves in the weeks prior to sale, we may require photos to be supplied for marketing.

Open/Cull Cow Marketing

To compliment full 360 service, if you have close to a liner load or more of open or cull cows, we can assist you in marketing them direct to slaughter. Again, this service is free of charge to our bull customers.

Data for Your Herd

If we have purchased your calves, we will supply the feeding data and slaughter data back to you when the cattle ship. At a minimum this will come in a summary report. If we can obtain individual grading and performance records for each animal, this will be supplied, or exported if you wish, into a herd management program. If we assist you to market your offspring elsewhere, every effort will be made to negotiate the supply of the data back to the producer.

Docility Scoring

The safety of our customers, staff and family is Number 1. Without all of them, none of our success would be possible. Handling livestock should not have to be dangerous. We handle these animals daily in a low stress environment and do our best to prepare them for all types of environments. Each animal does have its own personality and reacts differently to handling. We have adopted what many other breeders already do, and what we feel should be a standard in the industry, by applying a docility score to our animals. We understand this may deter you from an animal you would have otherwise purchased, but your safety of knowing what you are buying is of utmost importance.

Our ranking system is as such:

  1. These animals are not easily or safely handled. We have eliminated them from the herd.
  2. These animals can be harder to handle, especially if alone or under pressure. They require a wider flight zone and can move quickly to maintain this flight zone.
  3. These animals are very easy to handle and have a smaller flight zone. They will usually move off pressure slowly but with ease. Most of the animals will fit into this score.
  4. These animals are extremely quiet and will take a lot of pressure to move. They don't get excited easily alone or in a group.

TOP

We are passionate about helping customers select the right herd-ready bulls for their operation! Give us a call or stop in.

Lyle Miller cell: 403-888-3973office: 403-546-2278 ext 6 email

Brad Quinton cell: 403-422-0614  email