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Bull Development Weaning to Breeding
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<blockquote data-quote="simme" data-source="post: 1652588" data-attributes="member: 40418"><p>The genetic potential of the bull is set when he is born. Amount of feed he gets won't change that. Lots more bulls damaged by overfeeding than by underfeeding. Bull tests run by universities seem to be the worst at overfeeding and ruining bulls. They like the "prestige" of having high gaining bulls. Max ADG is not a good goal. As others have mentioned, you want the bull to grow, but not get fat. You want the bull to be big enough to breed your cows when you plan to use him. You want him to have enough condition to last through the breeding season. I would say to shoot for a BCS of 6 when you turn him out. No need to feed him an amount that will go beyond that. With good hay and/or pasture, it does not take a lot of feed to achieve that starting with a young bull. 5 or 6 pounds of feed a day might be enough. Evaluate his condition weekly and adjust as you go. If he is not getting fat, you could feed more. But, if he is putting on much fat, cut back. Feed a growing ration more than a finishing ration. Go easy on the corn. As far as rate of gain, if he weighs 650 now and you go 3 pounds per day, he would be about 1300 pounds in July. My thoughts are based on living in the south. Might need a bit more in a cold climate.</p><p>Regardless, most bull sales have over conditioned bulls. Most buyers will agree that fat bulls are bad. But, the buyers still tend to select and purchase bulls with too much condition. They look too good to pass up. And that is why the sellers overcondition.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="simme, post: 1652588, member: 40418"] The genetic potential of the bull is set when he is born. Amount of feed he gets won't change that. Lots more bulls damaged by overfeeding than by underfeeding. Bull tests run by universities seem to be the worst at overfeeding and ruining bulls. They like the "prestige" of having high gaining bulls. Max ADG is not a good goal. As others have mentioned, you want the bull to grow, but not get fat. You want the bull to be big enough to breed your cows when you plan to use him. You want him to have enough condition to last through the breeding season. I would say to shoot for a BCS of 6 when you turn him out. No need to feed him an amount that will go beyond that. With good hay and/or pasture, it does not take a lot of feed to achieve that starting with a young bull. 5 or 6 pounds of feed a day might be enough. Evaluate his condition weekly and adjust as you go. If he is not getting fat, you could feed more. But, if he is putting on much fat, cut back. Feed a growing ration more than a finishing ration. Go easy on the corn. As far as rate of gain, if he weighs 650 now and you go 3 pounds per day, he would be about 1300 pounds in July. My thoughts are based on living in the south. Might need a bit more in a cold climate. Regardless, most bull sales have over conditioned bulls. Most buyers will agree that fat bulls are bad. But, the buyers still tend to select and purchase bulls with too much condition. They look too good to pass up. And that is why the sellers overcondition. [/QUOTE]
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