Open the 2026 ABS Beef Sire Directory and turn to page two to find “This Season’s Draft Superstars.” Not only will the graphics grab your attention, but we’re leading off with exciting young bulls, a break from the tradition of featuring stalwarts of our lineup at the beginning of the directory.
“In my opinion, this is the absolute best set of bulls, top to bottom, front to back, that we’ve brought in in any one sales season,” says Ben Lohmann, ABS Beef Sire Acquisition Manager. A bold statement based on the interest in these bulls from breeders and commercial cattlemen, Ben may very well be right. Beyond the hype and demand for these young bulls, there are other reasons they are leading off the directory.
Common threads between these bulls are no-holes data packages, storied breeding programs, and time-tested cow families to back them up. Prefixes like LT, K C F, SITZ and ELLINGSON need no introduction. The breeding philosophies of these legendary programs are reflected in the phenotypic quality and elite genetic profiles of this group of bulls. Most of these bulls either have been or will be used heavily back into the herds they came from and are being utilized by some of the most astute breeders from coast to coast.
Genomics also plays a significant role in the decision to lead the offering with young bulls. Historically, our directory led with proven bulls and were go-to bulls for sales leaders. Enter the era of genomics and the growing trust and reliability they provide to the EPDs of these bulls. When asked about the impact of genomics on breeding decisions, Lohmann reflected, “Gone, to a degree, are the days of proven and semi-proven and getting to a level of accuracy before the average person uses a bull.”
Check out the bulls:
29AN2353 LT ANCHOR 4031
No-excuses EPD profile, exceptional phenotype, and stems from a favorite cow and cow family of a universally respected breeder.
29AN2340 ELLINGSON BRAZEN
Not just a bull that we went and found. They (Ellingson Angus) endorse this bull; they believe in this bull. So much so that they are going to have a lot of progeny coming.
29AN2345 SITZ PREFIX 725M
He is without question, the next step (to his sire Dignity).
29AN2352 K C F BENNETT LEGACY
Possibly the best bull that the Knoll Crest program has ever produced.
29SM0544 WS MARVEL 8M
A bull that, in our estimation, was the absolute best Purebred Simmental to sell anywhere in the nation last year.
Listen in as Kenny Wells, Beef Genetic Program Development Lead, and Ben Lohmann talk through this group of bulls.
A common question, especially this time of the year: What’s new at ABS? Here they are, our future ‘hall of famers’ we’ve added to the team.
To learn more, contact your ABS Representative.
