Help me to choose a bull

[Popa Cosmin]

I have no experience in selecting bulls so I like to help me.
I'd like to hear your opinion about what bull is proper to keep for my herd.
I have 30 pure breeding Charolais (5 years old).
It is first time when I must keep/choose a bull . I have 3 option
Considering that geneticaly all 3 young bulls are similar, you can advise me based on the phenotip.

Thanck you!

1. Bruno
http://bovinedecarne.sunphoto.ro/59_Bru ... BJEIEIFMIG
Click on arrow then

2. Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7xNu1gPyH8




3. Benjamin
http://bovinedecarne.sunphoto.ro/63_Benjamin
Click on arrow then


All 3 have the same father:Laurel (France).
http://bovinedecarne.sunphoto.ro/63_Ben ... ZAXMVPKEEN


The bulls have the same age. On the pictures/film they are between 14-17 months of age.

Cosmin

 

[I luv herfrds]

Ok you asked and here is my pick and why.
Benjamin.
He is longer then the other 2 and has a flatter topline.

 

[NoCO]

I also think Benjamin is the best bull. He is powerful in regards to muscling and is phenotypically more attractive.

 

[TREY-L]

I also like Benjamin the best, seems to have good capacity, muscling, and a tighter sheath.

 

[KNERSIE]

Benjamin is the best by a long shot, pity there isn'ta video of him walking.

Bruno is sickle hocked, in three of the pics he stands with his feet camped under him, that is enough evidence.

Bill walks with a very short uncomfortable gait, he has a break in the topline just behind the shoulders and is open shouldered, I foresee calving problems using him. He hasn't quite got the length or muscle of the others, but is deeper than the others.

Laurel is set up nicely in this photo, but I can see where Bruno get his sickle hocks from, although Laurel's is very slightly. What bothers me the most is the three bulls are three completely different types, doesn't say alot about Laurel's prepotency or the herd they came from.

 

[Popa Cosmin]

Thank you. I d'ont know why but I like more Bruno. Ishall keep 2 bulls.

 

[alacattleman]

take benjaman, then change his name too bruno......it suits him better

 

[grannysoo]

take benjaman, then change his name too bruno......it suits him better

Agreed.

 

[KMacGinley]

#3 hands down. The other two have major structural issues. And I agree with Knersie that I would hate to calve cows bred to #2.

 

[redcowsrule33]

The Benjamin bull without question. Bruno would look better with a different set of legs under him.

 

[CPL]

benny

 

[Angus Cowman]

Benjamin

 

[IluvABbeef]

Benny the Benjamin for sure...

 

[SF]

It is not possible to make a good recommendation based on photographs alone. None of these bulls (based on the pics) appear to be calving ease bulls. What are the EPD's?
Don't make a bull purchasing decision based on reply's from this board or any other. If you do not feel you are qualified, and you don't have a friend in the business that you trust, then talk to the person you bought your cows from.

Things to consider when purchasing a bull:
1. Your cow herd demonstrates where you are genetically, your bull represents where you are going.
2. For small breeders with less than 30 head of cows, your bull is half your herd.
3. Utilize all available technology and tools to make your decision. Genestar testing, EPD's, visual observation, etc....
4. More money does not make a bull better, but a good bull is not usually going to be cheap.
5. Know your goals, what are you trying to accomplish. Seedstock producer, commerical herd, show stock, etc....
6. Buy the best bull you can afford.

This is not an all inclusive list and there are certainly other things you should consider. Good luck with your search for a bull.

 

[Popa Cosmin]

It is not possible to make a good recommendation based on photographs alone. None of these bulls (based on the pics) appear to be calving ease bulls. What are the EPD's?
...............

This is not an all inclusive list and there are certainly other things you should consider. Good luck with your search for a bull.

T

he bulls are from my farm. So they don't cost anything.
They are all sons of Laurel
http://www.genesdiffusion.com/Bovin/Cha ... 7195122401

I'm not familiar with US' EPD indexes. I work with French system.
I have good theoretical knowledge but not practice. So I wanted to hear some opinions based on bulls' appearance, (phenotype).
I'm almost sure that I should have no calving problems based on genetic references of bulls. They are also the best of 2006 crop.
I should use also IA but I'd like to have clean up bull.

Bruno again , 2 years old
http://bovinedecarne.sunphoto.ro/59_Bru ... ZGUENSUVRZ
http://bovinedecarne.sunphoto.ro/59_Bru ... QWSYGDIPEN