BRG wrote:Doug Thorson wrote:I was amazed how many bulls there had bad structural problems. People really need to start getting out and looking at the cattle instead of going off paper so much IMO.
I agree. Structural problems and shy breeders get a bull sent to stud instead of the slaughterhouse. Big investments means a lot of people will do anything to get their money back out of a faulty animal. Too many seedstock producers are in it because they see a $$$$ sale and think it is a good way to get rich instead of being commited to raising proper cattle that can be used to make their customers money.
I here you. You would be amazed at what is being collected and promoted. Eveyone that AI's should go and take a look at what they are using. Not all of the bulls are bad, but alot of them are. One would be money ahead if he would buy a plane ticket, fly to where the bulls are and see them before he uses a straw. Just my opinion.
I'm not sure how folks deal with it across the country and from commercial vs. seedstock guys, but when it comes to selecting an AI bull I put alot of weight into my AI guy's opinion. He sees way more offspring of these bulls from year to year and hears the likes and dislikes of a particular bull. I go to him with a what I like based on what I need to improve the cow herd (we're building) and he also sees my cows and knows what they need. I tell him what I like - and he tells me what he's seen! For example, I really liked the new bull CC&7 (a Connection son, I believe), S A V 8180 TRAVELER 004 and Image Maker. He had heard some good things on the CC7, but rep couldnt get semen in time. That left us w/ 004 & Image Maker. He said he had seen a few really nice calves off 004, but quiet a few that didn't impress him at all. He liked Image Maker's balance and like I said before, really liked the calves he's seen off him.
