BULLS OF DISTINCTION
(Contact 02 82 557 6028 or email dutoitpetrus93@gmail.com)
“Buying a bull is a genetic decision and not a financial one.” (Gerhard van Zyl. LBW)
"Visual analysis tells you what an animal appears to be, his pedigree tells you what he should be, his performance and progeny tells you what he actually is."(American Simmental Association)
Outstanding cattle come from outstanding cows. Our reward from the LRF for the John Deere Simmentaler Cow Group for 2023 underscores this statement. Read more about how our herd progressed over the past twenty years.
Econotech Dan S, PJD1743
Senior seedstock sire (sold)
Dan, a son of the exceptional bul, Simberg Zolerz P, cemented Zolerz's superior reproduction traits in our herd. Two of his sons are members of the Class of 2020, namely Kai Kai(Sold) and Brand.
Dan, PJD1743 S, demonstrated his curve bending ability in three different ways. Firstly, Dan surpassed the average SA Simmentaler Herd regarding calving ease (higher) and birth weight (lower). In a similar fashion Dan improved fertility as shown by his EBV’s for scrotal size (SS) (higher), but with solid growth (400 days in top 25%) and a lower cow weight (MCW) (in the lower 30% of the SA 2022 crop). Thirdly, Dan was tops regarding muscling and condition (measured by its eye muscle area (EMA) and rib and rump fat). The latter attributes helped him to maintain his condition under extensive grazing conditions.
The accompanying graph showed the ability of Dan to bend growth and fertility curves. Furthermore, Dan’s pedigree included illustrious sires: two German sires (Eisenherz and Metro) as well as prominent SA sires (Blinkbou Herz, Kalhei and Profeet). The progeny of these sires had been tested across many herds and numerous calves. We have the privilege to see the benefits of these sires in our herd.
Econotech Simmentaler Bulls: Class of 2021
The Class of 2021 excel in those breeding traits which underpin our herd’s main attributes, namely Calving Ease, Fertility, Body Condition and Growth (see attached table) (See graphs for Harold and Van Straaten).
SONS OF DAN
Econotech Harold PJD219 P
Harold is a solid built sire with top condition traits such as ebv's for Rib and Rump Fat in the top 1% of the SA crop for 2022. He is also an excellent example of reproduction genetics with his ebv's for Days to Calving as well as Scrotum Size in the top 5%.
Econotech Van Straaten PJD2112 P
Van Straaten is a blend of modern genetics (Zolerz and Dan) and a major sire from a former period, Jadhal Ibbie (sired 2437 calves in his career). Van Straaten is an outstanding success regarding his genetic attributes and built. His reproduction traits, SS and DC, are both in the top 5% of the SA crop. Condition traits, Rib and Rump Fat, are also in the top 5%. The growth indicator, ebv for 400 days, is in the top 25%, whereas his 200 days of 18 is only in the top 40%. Nevertheless, Van Straaten’s graph is that of a typical curve bender, the signature of the Econotech Simmentaler Herd.
Van Straaten PJD2112 P
Van Straaten (left) and Arlo PJD2118 (right)
KALANT P: high REPRODUCTION and high GROWTH plus FEED EFFICIENCY (senior sire, not for sale)
SONS OF KALANT PJD1565 P
Econotech Kobus PJD2110 P
Kobus has strong calving ease and reproduction traits. He has also strong body condition traits which makes him very adaptable to a range of climatic conditions.
His economic selection indexes are in the top 5% to 1% for SBI and SP respectively. Kobus should inherit the feed-efficiency genes of his sire, Kalant (NFI-P = -0.08, top 15%).
His dam, PJD1633, has produced three stud bulls to date. Her dam, on the other hand, was one of our most fertile cows ever with 11 calves and an ICP of 364 days.
Having two polled parents, Kobus has a 25% chance of being double polled (homozygous polled). A homozygous polled bull would produce only polled offspring.
ECONOTECH ARLO PJD2118 P
Arlo has, as is the case with all the other sons of Kalant, strong body condition traits which makes him very adaptable to a range of climatic conditions.
His economic selection indexes are in the top 5% for SBI as well as for SPI. Arlo should inherit the feed-efficiency genes of his sire, Kalant (NFI-P = -0.08, top 15%) and those of the sires Kalhei (NFI-P = -0.12, top 5%) and Jimsu (NFI-P = -0.25, top 1%). Arlo is a genuine curve bender regarding calving ease (CED in top 5%) and growth (400 days in top 30%, whereas his MCW is in the bottom 45%).
His dam, PJD1447 P, has produced two excellent dams to date. Her dam (PJD103), on the other hand, was one of our most fertile cows ever with 10 calves and an ICP of 378 days. She also produced three impressive stud bulls.
Having two polled parents, Arlo, has a 25% chance of being double polled (homozygous polled). A homozygous polled bull would produce only polled offspring.
SON OF TIARK WC1221 P
Econotech Lewkowitz PJD2114 P
Lewkowitz is polled with both of his parents being polled as well. He has, therefore, a 25% chance of being homozygous polled. This would mean that all his offspring will be polled as well.
His fertility traits such as Days to Calving and Scrotum Size are respectively in the top 15% and 10% of the SA crop. HIs condition traits regarding Rib and Rump Fat as well as Intra Muscular Fat are also in the top 5% to 10% respectively. These traits will strengthen his ability to breed fertile offspring.
Econotech Simmentaler Bulls: Class of 2022
The Class of 2022 excel in those breeding traits which underpin our herd’s main attributes, namely Calving Ease, Fertility, Body Condition and Growth (see attached table).
SONS OF KOLBE PJD1929 P
Kolbe P was a bull par excellence. He integrated the feed efficiency of his sire, Kalant, and the fertility and body condition of his dam, PJD1633 P. His dam has Zolerz as sire (with a DC = -9.2) and a grand father, Blinkbou Herz (with a CD = -5.6). Kolbe's own DC equals -6.0. His four sons, listed below, have similar high fertility traits.
ECONOTECH PJD2217 P
Apart from the excellent breeding traits of PJD2217's sire, Kolbe, his dam has also produced fine offspring. His traits represent a curve bender regarding Calving Ease (CED and CEM in the top 10% and 5% respectively of the SA crop of 2022). The same applies to his reproduction traits with Scrotal Size (SS) in the top 1%. Growth is modest, but still representing a curve.
ECONOTECH PJD 2219 P
Although this bull, PJD2219 P, has been vetted by the association's judge, the process of ascertaining his parenthood is still underway.
His dam, PJD1326, is a three star cow with a formidable set of sires, such as Kalhei (DC = -8.1 and NFI-P = -0.12) and Profeet. PJD2219 has a high fertility score of DC = -4.1 (in the top 5% of the SA crop). He boasts also with high growth traits with his 400 days in the top 10%.
ECONOTECH PJD2223 P
PJD2223 P was sired by Kolbe P x PJD1531 P. He has a 25% chance of being homozygous polled as both his parents are polled. The same can be said of two of the other sons of Kolbe, namely PJD2217 P and PJD2230 P.
His mother, PJD1531 P, was sired by Ibbie, a renowned AI bull with 2427 calves over 181 herds. PJD2223 P has excellent traits for Calving Ease, Reproduction and Grow
ECONOTECH PJD2230 P
Although this bull, PJD2230 P, has been vetted by the association's judge, the process of ascertaining his parenthood is still underway.
PJD2230 P is a real curve bender regarding Calving Ease, Reproduction and Growth. His Days to Calcing (DC = -6.0) is in the top 1% of the SA crop for 2022. This comes from his sire, Kolbe, as well as his dam, PJD1638 P (with a DC of -7.6). He bends also the growth curve with the following ebv's (% of SA crop in brackets), namely 200 days at 17 (50%), 400 days at 30 (30%), 600 days at 37 (30%) and MCW at 29 (70%).