Prime_Time_spring_2019

EMBRYO TRANSFER Continued from page 23

"Using Akaushi genetics on a set of cows is going to improve the quality of those calves and earn a premium." – Mark Bentke

Colleen, Bentke has been raising Akaushi embryo transfer calves on his fam- ily’s Brenham, Texas, ranch for 19 years. After purchas- ing a set of Angus females to breed with his Brahman bulls, he was approached by Akaushi breed repre- sentatives who convinced him to use his cow herd as recipients instead. Over the years, Bentke has made ma- ternal improvements to that recipient pool with the use of Hereford and Brahman genetics. Working closely with Shull, Bentke has raised thousands of Akaushi em- bryo transfer calves and has been so impressed with the breed that he now runs 800 fullblood Akaushi cows and

produces around 150 bulls and 150 replacement heifers a year for HeartBrand ® Beef. Bentke also personally owns about 400 Braford cows and uses Akaushi bulls to improve carcass merit and profitability. “Using Akaushi genetics on a set of cows is going to improve the quality of those calves and earn a premi- um,” he says. “We started feeding some of our half- blood cattle and saw how efficient they were in the feedlot, and they were still grading 40 percent Prime.” The Akaushi embryo transfer focus has shifted from increasing herd num- bers to selecting for specific

desirable traits and blood- lines within the breed. A polled gene was recently identified in three of the purebred A4 Akasuhi calves Bentke raised, creating op- portunity to quickly propa- gate that genetic trait using embryo transfer. Bentke is optimistic that, as the breed continues to evolve, his fellow cattle producers will realize its potential impact on the beef industry. “It really is some of the best beef available,” he says. “When someone tells me how good their Akaushi steak was, I take pride in knowing I helped put it on their plate.” PT

It all began when a French cattleman bought a farm in Georgia...

®

FPL Food is the Southeast’s one-of-a-kind source for sustainable beef. Privately owned and operated, this producer and processor pairs French provincial farming traditions with a dedication to providing quality beef.

Expanding our Akaushi Beef Program We buy DNA verified calves

We buy DNA verified calves.

Raised without any growth implants, ionophores or promotants Weaned and backgrounded for at least 45 days. We buy feeder calves as well as finished fed cattle

For more information visit: FPLFOOD.COM

Call us today! 706.922.5528

Akaushi Prime Time • Spring 2019

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