BARNSCOOP":2b8qjwkq said:
Well,
I hear you guys. I know what I will have to do, It just stinks. I looked hard for this bull calf. He had the pedigree and EPD's I was looking for and now this has to happen.I have put all my eggs in his basket and now even if he passes his second BSE I still really can't keep him because he steals milk. I have had the worst luck with bulls the last two years. I have separated him from the cows so he is not taking milk now. But, in June after his BSE if he passes I will have to use him if I can't find a bull. June is the latest I can hold out to breed my cows. Thanks everyone and if anyone has had a bull straighten up after seeing something like this....let me know.
Sonya
After reading your posts I can tell you that your breeder is no friend and he is a big a part of the problem.
Probably less than 10% of bull calves deserve to be kept as bulls. Anyone who keeps them all whole and sells them as bulls is preying on those who do not know, reducing the reputation of the breed and certainly diluting the capability of the breed.
While a bit off topic - As far as I am concerned there is not much difference in heifers either - keeping them back for breeding is good - but only if they are decent breeders - most should be shipped for beef.
You now know that just because an animal has the "numbers" and a pedigree - he is not always a breeder - in fact most of the time he is not. You will see it here a lot and you will see this exclamation from many "But he is a registered bull!". Registration and pedigree mean squat at times.
I have seen absolutely stellar herds of cattle that do not have one registered animal in them.
Folks get so tied up in this "pure bred / registered" bull crap they sometimes lose sight of what matters - a herd of cattle that are sound in body and foot, breed back first time around, calve unassisted, do not need food supplements at any stage of development, have excellent dispositions and make you money!
Instead they produce terrible looking and poor performing cattle - all in the name of a pedigree.
You might stop buying bull calves and try buying a two year old - the extra expense might actually be a money saver in the long run - and do not take delivery until vet checked. Better, have someone who really does know cattle help you out. As you have already learned - finding this person this is not easy either - so time for you to do your homework.
Lots of folks out there want your money and will sell you anything.
Good luck
Bez+