Choosing the Right Bull: Precision Genetics for Commercial Ranchers with Marty Ropp

Casual Cattle Conversations

Are you ready to make more confident bull-buying decisions that truly move your ranch forward? In this episode, Shaye Wanner visits with Marty Ropp of Allied Genetic Resources to discuss how commercial cow-calf producers can leverage genomics through the Right Bull program to select bulls that align with their goals and cows. Marty shares how precision mating, large-effect genes, and genomic compatibility are revolutionizing herd improvement—saving time, reducing risk, and increasing uniformity and profitability.

Whether you're buying one bull or managing hundreds, this episode will help you understand how to turn genetics into ROI.

What You’ll Learn:

• The biggest risks and missed opportunities in bull selection
• How the Right Bull program matches bulls to your cow herd
• What “large-effect genes” are and why they matter
• How both small and large producers can benefit
• What it costs to get started—and why it pays off

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Marty Ropp’s background
01:45 – Why Marty bet on the beef industry
03:50 – Top risks in bull selection
05:30 – Defining goals for genetic selection
06:40 – How the Right Bull program works
11:20 – What large-effect genes mean for your herd
13:30 – Example of bull ranking and results
17:35 – How Right Bull is different from other programs
19:30 – Costs and return on investment
23:30 – Seedstock provider involvement and response
26:30 – Who this program is best suited for
28:15 – Breed flexibility & customization
31:45 – Marty’s reflections on his early career
33:10 – Final thoughts & how to connect

🔗 Resources & Links:
📌 Right Bull Program – https://bit.ly/44XIFzl

📌 Noble Research Institute – https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0
📌 Calf Marketing Short Course (Register by July 28th!) – https://bit.ly/46olT4K
📌 Pluck Seasoning (use code SHAYEWANNER for 15% off) – EatPluck.com
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