General Program
FINK BEEF GENETICS-1977
20 years and we still expect balance in all traits.
Excerpts from past catalogs…
1993 – 'Anyone can breed numbers—we have tried all along to combine EPDs with udder quality,
disposition, structure, mothering ability, and the 'cow look.' The cattle in this sale are not extreme in any
trait… they are sound, solid, functional genetic seedstock that you can count on.
2007 – 'We will stay on a balanced course and try to improve all areas at once. A lot of
tools have been developed for cattle breeding and there will be a lot more. The key to that is 'how you use
them' without throwing the baby out with the bathwater! Remember, 'more' generally comes with a cost after an
optimum point.'
2012 – 'Our program is somewhat different than some. We are total AI and ET. It is the most
expensive way to run a program, but we sell seedstock, not just bulls. Neither are we on a mission to create
the 'perfect' bull with extreme EPDs. Some breeds and breeders continue on the path to create the (example)
'minus 25 BW EPD, and +647# YW EPD spread bull.' We know that once some point is reached, foot size, mature
cow size, terminal traits, etc., will kill maternal traits and longevity. It's already happening. Remember,
you can go backwards with EPDs when you think you're going forward. We ease into our mating decisions with
proven genetics.'
Two low paying jobs (Lori was the part time secretary for the Kansas Angus Association and Galen was KSU Beef
herdsman), $4000, one cow and no land was the start of Fink Beef Genetics in 1977. The cowherd grew to a
"massive" 25 cows over the next 10 years, keeping daughters and adding a few cows as money allowed.
It was decided at the start that we would be total AI. We used the hot, new, unproven bulls. After five years of
stumbling, all kinds of genetics and chasing fads, we decided that we needed a program!
1987 was the decision-making year, either run or walk. We had an opportunity to purchase our choice of 27 bred
heifers from the proven pedigree stacked cowherd of Hyline Angus, Montana. Nevermind the stock market crashed
that week and working on nearly all borrowed money, we did it. This group along, with our "Miss," Vixon, Bonnie,
and Formera cow families, set the base.
To have enough numbers to try to make it on cattle alone, an embryo program was put in place in 1988 by using
commercial customer's cows for recipients. In the next two years, the ET program was greatly expanded. Customer
service programs, new ideas, more rented land, were all headquartered out of a 40 acre rented headquarters. This
site turned out to be the location of female sales that set records throughout the 90's and well into the new
decade.
The program has now grown into one of the top 25 largest seedstock operations ranked by the NCBA since 2004. We
market approximately 700 bulls each year nationwide. Females are sold through production sales and private
treaty.
We still use nearly all AI and as many proven sires as possible. In 2012 and 2013, due to drought and pasture
conditions, we have turned out a bull to breed a few cows.
We implant approximately 1000-1200 embryos each year. Many of these embryos are sexed male embryos, since the
fall of 2011, in both breeds.
Charolais were added to the program in 1999 to give more options for customers. We believe there are several
ways for customers to creat profit, through straight breeding or crossbreeding.
Our breeding program is ideally made up of sires that have approximately 100 daughters in production. This gives
us an opportunity to evaluate udders, feet, disposition and "kind." We use this approach us much as possible. We
have stacked many generations of this system through AI as possible.
The Charolais program, although not as old, was created the same way by using older proven sires. We now have
3-4 generations of lighter birth weight and calving ease built into our stacked pedigrees, still with
outstanding growth.
Our goal is to continue to increase our bull sales, continue to stack pedigrees of both breeds by use of AI and
supply commercial cattlemen with profitable genetics.
Seedstock Producers, Lead or Follow?
Seedstock producers are looked upon as the leaders of the cow/calf industry. They supply the genetic material
for commercial cattlemen and have a definite influence on the nation's cow herd. However, I am not sure that
they always lead, or that we should expect them to.
One problem seems to be that many seedstock producers are enamored by higher Expected Progeny Differences
(EPDs), with little concern about their long-term consequences. The first thing many think about is using
breeding animals with EPDs that are in highest 2% to 5% of their breed. That's why frame size, mature size and
milk production of the animal's offspring often outstrip the commercial cow/calf producers' forage/feeding
program, leading to poor reproductive efficiency. So why do they continue to do this? Probably because some
buyers don't truly understand EPDs but continue to buy seedstock solely for the 'highest numbers.' The most
fundamental principle that commercial cow/calf producers must remember is that 'reproductive efficiency is still
the most important measure of profitability.' Don't lose sight of that as you choose breeding values in your
cattle.
So, should seedstock producers lead or follow? I think that all parties need to make informed decisions that
best serve their interests while keeping an eye on needs of the industry. Seedstock producers do set the
direction for the nation's cow herd and, as a result, can determine the profitability of your cow/calf
operation. But… the commercial cattleman ultimately decides on what he purchases. It's kind of like the 'golden
rule' (he who has the gold makes the rules). You should buy breeding stock that will keep you in business for
the long-term.
Reprinted with permission, Dr. Roy Burris, Beef Extension Specialist, University of
Kentucky
Copperhead
We believe in options for customers. Everyone’s program needs to be geared to fit and make the most profit for
their operation. We all make decisions every day in ranching and farming, like feed, seed, etc. Genetics from
Fink’s is the same way.
If we didn’t believe in options working for customers, we wouldn’t do it. These bulls are working! Plus, they
are generally light colored for heat, and add a “red” hide option for many customers.
Copperheads are the results of finding Red Angus. A.I. bulls that have some data on them that include controlled
birth weight, carcasses, and still excellent growth. We then A.I. all our virgin Charolais heifers (not just
lower end) to these bulls to create Copperheads. These are not just cross bulls!
Customer feedback from New York, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas have
been excellent. Number one thing mentioned is fleshing ability on the bulls. They hold up and get cows bred and
the calves have a touch extra Charolais muscle in them.
We highly recommend Copperheads for making replacements if desired. That input of Charolais on a set of Red
Angus, Beefmaster, Brahman, etc. based cows can give that hybrid vigor to a set of cows to control cow size,
more muscle, and longevity.
Remember Fink virgin females, which are the newest and freshest Charolais genetics we have, are the dams of most
of these bulls! Red Angus sires are highly selected also!
Always a power set of bulls- moderate framed, thick, deep, huge testicles, and fertile! Copperheads recommended
for replacement females are marked at the bottom of each footnote.
Copperheads used on straight black Angus cows (none with red genes) you should expect black hides, a few may
have black hides and smokie hair.