ABrauny":21zh2pgn said:
So I'm looking for a Hereford bull to AI or naturally our Red Angus bred heifers that we purchased from Mushrushes for this upcoming breeding season. Ideally I would like the bull to produce females that are thick, have lots of rib, and mature between 1000-1300 lbs. The best heifers would remain as the replacements and the rest will be fed out. I was thinking Feltons Legend 242 if I AI them. Thoughts?
ABrauny-
Invariably, any thoughts that I would entertain concerning mating protocols with
any breed, or combination of breeds (cross-breeding agendas), would include mandatory examination of the Phenotype, Genotype and Functional traits of
BOTH females and sires involved in the matings. Your requirements mentioned are optimal, as far as they go. But in today's mating practices there are so many different traits and characteristics to consider in any combination of individual animals that their entire genetic profile must be given strong consideration, along with their DNA, determined by genomic enhanced EPD's, so as to, hopefully, eliminate any negative occurrances in the mating combinations.
You stated that you wished to retain the "best" heifers for replacements. That is optimal for improving your herd quality on a continuing basis - HOWEVER - "best" is as "best"
does, and "best" is determined by scientifically utilizing the tools that are available to us at any given time. I am sure that "Felton's Legend 242" has genetic qualities that are exceptional, but for those qualities to be operative in your particular genetic pool they must
"NICK" with the heifers AND your future goals. That process will save you perhaps ten years of attempting to correct inadvertant breeding errors! :bang: :deadhorse:
DOC HARRIS