$B what is it?

[dompeters84]

Can anyone tell me what $B is for in beef cattle? I'm trying to pick a bull to AI to my
Heifers this comming year. What do you all look for when picking a bull? Besides CED. I am looking at black angus. Any opinions on a good bull? I'm new to this so any help would be awesome.

 

[Isomade]

Can anyone tell me what $B is for in beef cattle? I'm trying to pick a bull to AI to my
Heifers this comming year. What do you all look for when picking a bull? Besides CED. I am looking at black angus. Any opinions on a good bull? I'm new to this so any help would be awesome.

$B is "beef value", an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post weaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.

 

[HomePlaceAngus]

I will add to what isomade said. It is to be used to compare one animal against another. Example Sire A = 65.00 $B, Sire B = 55.00 $B. Sire B is 10.00 better then Sire A's progecy carcass value. There is many other things to look at. You said you are AIing heifers. So the first thing I would look at is BW. It needs to be under +2.5 and it is even better lower like -1. Then you want to look for weeknesses in the heifer's EPDs that need improvement. What I do is try to improve as many EPDs as I can. I like the MK to be about 25-30. Over 30 unually indicates an expense keeper. Under 25 not enough milk to raise a good calf. I also will point out that this will not hold true on each and every amimal. One of my best mama cows has a MK of 18 and she gives enough milk for two calves. I'm sure other members will give you more good imput. Good luck and :welcome:

 

[vclavin]

Get pelvic scores from vet first! Make sure they can have calves safely.'
CED - at least 7 and higher the better
BW - we don't use any over +2

Best advice, call your local beef specialist .. they have lots of knowledge.
Valerie

 

[Stepbystep]

I will add to what isomade said. It is to be used to compare one animal against another. Example Sire A = 65.00 $B, Sire B = 55.00 $B. Sire B is 10.00 better then Sire A's progecy carcass value. There is many other things to look at. You said you are AIing heifers. So the first thing I would look at is BW. It needs to be under +2.5 and it is even better lower like -1. Then you want to look for weeknesses in the heifer's EPDs that need improvement. What I do is try to improve as many EPDs as I can. I like the MK to be about 25-30. Over 30 unually indicates an expense keeper. Under 25 not enough milk to raise a good calf. I also will point out that this will not hold true on each and every amimal. One of my best mama cows has a MK of 18 and she gives enough milk for two calves. I'm sure other members will give you more good imput. Good luck and :welcome:

Guys is there some document to explain the EPDs and MK of 25-30 and all the other lingo that is new to us newbies?

Thanks

 

[vclavin]

I will add to what isomade said. It is to be used to compare one animal against another. Example Sire A = 65.00 $B, Sire B = 55.00 $B. Sire B is 10.00 better then Sire A's progecy carcass value. There is many other things to look at. You said you are AIing heifers. So the first thing I would look at is BW. It needs to be under +2.5 and it is even better lower like -1. Then you want to look for weeknesses in the heifer's EPDs that need improvement. What I do is try to improve as many EPDs as I can. I like the MK to be about 25-30. Over 30 unually indicates an expense keeper. Under 25 not enough milk to raise a good calf. I also will point out that this will not hold true on each and every amimal. One of my best mama cows has a MK of 18 and she gives enough milk for two calves. I'm sure other members will give you more good imput. Good luck and :welcome:

Guys is there some document to explain the EPDs and MK of 25-30 and all the other lingo that is new to us newbies?

Thanks

Main thing to remember - EPD's are NOT what that animal is, but what that animal is capable of passing on to its progeny, and that's only 1/2 of the equation.
Merry Christmas
Valerie