gallowaygirl-
Well!!!!!!! You have designed a real "Cattle-selection" Exercise for yourself, and if nothing more, you should learn a great deal about Phenotype, Genetics, and Functional Traits in the performance of your assignment and homework.
As a preface to my remarks here, I will repeat, AGAIN, two caveats that should ALWAYS be borne in mind when judging and selecting cattle: PICTURES ARE NEVER SATISFACTORY WHEN CHOOSING SEEDSTOCK, and ALWAYS QUESTION YOUR DECISIONS WHEN THE CATTLE DISPLAY "FUNNEL BUTTS"! Having established those parameters, here are my "Opinions" of the cattle represented here. I am not privy to the intricacies or the specifics of the Galloway Genetics (or EPD's), therefore I won't do an indepth analysis of those details. The opinions expressed here are from a Phenotypical observation only.
BULLS: Most of the bulls pictured here lack hindquarters and depth of body, both characterists of which are critical in the selection of a breeding bull, or the SIRE of seedstock females. The one bull which impressed me the most from this group is "GJR 97P". He is deep quartered, good spring of rib, has a fairly deep heartgirth compared to the other bulls represented, a strong, level topline, large testicles, a masculine head with breed-characteristic "burlyness" (which indicates a potential high fertility value in his daughters), a reasonably level rump, good capacity (which also is an indication of how his daughters may be able to produce optimally healthy calves) and characteristic thickness. The "two" pictures which are available on this site for this bull demonstrate how pictures can distort reality. In making decisions about your selection of Herd Bulls for seedstock or just calf producing, it is advisable to (a) see and examine the bull PERSONALLY, and (b) examine his dam and any of his daughters which may be available for perusal.
COWS: The cows depicted here are, for the most part, a reasonably acceptable representation of seedstock females. In selecting the one's I mention here, I used the criteria of their potential ability to move your breeding ahead in quality and reproductiveness with PROFIT as the ultimate goal. Bearing that in mind, I won't analyze each one individually with specific comments or reasons for my selecting them. They ALL should present strong toplines, deep bodies for enough capacity for producing strong calves without problems, acceptable width and depth of quarter, wide and thick bodies for acceptable rib eye production, and optimal Galloway breed characteristics. And, as important as ANY trait in a female, they should present an exemplary udder and teat anatomy to help assure a long, productive life without expecting breakdowns along the way.
These are the one's which I would certainly give a second look - - AND that is EXACTLY what you should do prior to purchasing any seedstock: visit the producer the day or two prior to the sale and EYEBALL your tentative selections before making a definite decision to place bids. Your Financial status and "Dollar Boundaries" should be firmly established in your mind, and WRITTEN DOWN somewhere so that you won't be "caught up" in the excitement of the auction, and be intimidated by an Auctioneer's "Verbal BS", which is part of the "$ALE$ BU$INE$$". KNOW exactly what you want to buy and WHY you have decided upon that particular animal! It is extremely easy to go completely blank when you get into the "Realm of a Beef Cattle Auction", and lose contact with "the Reality Principle", the result of which could be disastrous! Keep the "important" factors uppermost in your mind, and don't be influenced by the minor characteristics - which may be of lesser import!
These cows are the one's which I would strongly consider. There may be others which you could accept for reasons of which I am not privy.
COWS: RHG17P - GJR47L - GJR123S - GJR44N - GJR87M - RHG36K - RHG23B - RHG29P - GJR130H - GJR130P - GJR140R - GJR81L. AND - - the cow which I think presents the most desirable Phenotype in the entire group is - - GJR18P!
The heifer RHG5R has the potential to mature into a fine producer, but is too young to evaluate either Phenotypically or Genetically - from THIS PICTURE!
I wish you good SEARCHING and good DECISION-MAKING in your pursuit of the "Rest-of-your-life-BU$INE$$!"
DOC HARRIS