This continuing and seemingly on-going question of "Which Cow should I breed this bull to?" rears it's head every two or three weeks or so, and the same questions must be answered in order for a reasonable answer to be presented!
WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO WITH THE PROGENY WHICH WILL RESULT??!
Are you going to keep the resulting heifers as replacement heifers for your herd??
Is it primarily a Terminal herd, or a Maternal herd??
What are the weaknesses of your cow herd? Is this bull strong enough Genetically and Phenotypically to correct those weaknesses?
What are the marketing potentials for the progeny?
Are you selecting the cows for the purposes of keeping the progeny for yourself for meat, or selling them as seedstock?
If you are planning to use heifer progeny as replacement heifers for your herd, the wise procedure would be to collect the semen from the bull, have it sexed, and then AI the cow which presents with the best Maternal traits. If that protocol is not to your liking., for whatever collection of reasons, then direct-breed the bull to the appropriate cows, and take your chances with the produced gender of the calves. Of course, you must have justifiable selection choices for your chosen cow(s). The bull is an excellent representation of a Beefmasteer bull, and you should not go wrong whatever gender is produced, so long as your COW choices are carefully thought-out and the Genetypes, Phenotypes, (EPD's), and Functional traits are in a compatible status with the bull's. Form Follows Function, and the Eye of the Master breeds his cattle! You can't make a silk purse out of a Sow's ear, so your cow selection is critical. Breed The Best to the Best!
My choices would be Contenders 2, 5, and 8, udders and strong top lines being the deciding trait factors. You could use the semen on 2 and 5 after they calve.
DOC HARRIS