Oldtimer-
Your post on the "Buffalo-look Maternal Angus bulls" is extremely well done! It just verifies the facts that "Single Trait Selection" decisions will result in compounded problems - Phenotype, Genotype, Functional traits, Physical traits, - - even the so-called "lesser" characteristics other than those listed above. Some of them are docility, skeletal (bone) structure, tight uddders and small teats, femininity, body capacity, fleshing ability - all of these traits are of importance in varying degrees. Traits that producers who are primarily interested in "Terminal" (feedlot) cattle, or market progeny, such as fatness, ribeye area, marbling and percent of Retail Product are more concerned with OTHER factors than those relating to Maternal-producing cattle. This entire discussion about "Funnel Butt" breeding stock points up the argument that in attempting to satisfy everybody with one type of animal is impossible. If that were not the case, eventually every producer would be producing the PERFECT seedstock breeding animals, and we would all live happily ever after. In a "Fairy Tale Dream World!". We all know that is NOT going to happen - ever.
Therefore, the answer is to continue to intelligently breed the best animals to the best animals, and BALANCE their traits and characteristics in the most desirable manner possible for that particular breeder's needs according to HIS environment and goals. The catch to this scenario is - the producer has to KNOW what he wants, and HOW to get it!
. . . And it is all available these days of total and immediate information gathering. It is just a matter of getting off of our duffs and seeking and [searching] for it!
DOC HARRIS