cfpinz":2584syhr said:
My apologies, I should have been clearer.
I was looking through a bull sale catalog in hopes to purchase a new heifer bull. The bulls I am asking about are the sires of the bulls I am interested in. We do not ai, all natural service.
I'd like to find a bull with some older genetics, not too keen on the "Bull of the Day Club". A bull with average epd's, nothing special. Mitty In Focus is the buzzword bull of the day around here, every angus breeder is pushing his sons and those of that type. Not what I'm looking for.
Thanks for the responses
cfpinz
that is darned good advice!
"Look at both sides of the pedigree. In fact, take some time to look a bull you're interested in up on the Angus site. Check his pedigree back a couple of generations to see that he doesn't have a cow killer back there somewhere. (link below). Take into consideration what kind of heifers are you breeding? If they're from a hard calving breed, you might want to consider a negative BW EPD bull. Good luck....cfpinz -
Frankie has made a valuable and pragmatic suggestion! This idea of checking BOTH sides of the pedigree is not only good advice - - IN MY OPINION - - it should be a LAW! We "Him Haw around" over 'which bull for this' and 'which bull for that' and discuss which BREED COW'S we are going to breed the bull(s) to, and completely overlook the critically important factor of what the "BULL'S" Dam's Phenotype was, what her Genetype was, how she performed as a Mother, and ignore her 'functional' traits completely. If you will pardon the Pun - - "We Swallow the Bull - - and CHOKE on the tail!!"
All of the contributors to this thread have mentioned some very good potential SIRES! Sires which will produce very acceptable calves - FOR THE MOST PART - assuming that the Sires DAMS are acceptable for your partricular requirements - requirements that incorporate the necessary characteristics and traits that YOUR HERD must have to be successful. You must decide whether you are developing a herd that is "Maternal" in type and purpose - or - "Terminal" in type and purpose, because - to coin a phrase - it is antagonistic to attempt to "Kill Two Birds with One Stone."
Very FEW bulls are Phenotypically and Genetypically capable of doing Yeomen Service by being the progenitor of BOTH TYPES of Beef Cattle - Maternal AND Terminal - and doing Justice to either type. The breeder must decide what protocol he is going to pursue, and then select his seedstock with that type in mind! Don't try to be a 'cat on a tin roof', covering everything at once! Can't be done! Follow one principle or the other with a vengeance, and stick to it! But choose your seedstock carefully, following all the "rules".
DOC HARRIS