How Do You Select a Bull?

[Welvaren]

Choosing the right bull is one of the most critical decisions in a cattle operation. A poor cow purchase might lead to a single subpar calf each season, but a poor bull can result in 25-35 subpar calves—impacting an entire year's worth of production.

So, what criteria should guide a bull purchase?

In South Africa, it's rare to find bulls under two years old at production sales, with many being three-year-olds. In the U.S., however, yearling bulls are more commonly sold. Do you find that yearlings have enough developed muscling to be accurately judged for phenotype? Or do you rely more on Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and trust you're making the right choice?

Then, there's the question of phenotype. I prefer cattle that are both profitable and aesthetically appealing. However, it's often the case that the most profitable animals aren't always the prettiest! So what's your approach? Do you aim for an ideal look and then work on the figures, or do you focus on solid numbers first and refine the appearance later?

I'm keen to hear everyone's opinions on what makes for a good bull selection!

 

[SBMF 2015]

It's kind of a balancing act. And depends on what the goal is for the bulls offspring.

If he's going to be a female maker I want a bull with some stretch. Good muscle, sound legs and feet, BIG scrotal, and some length to his head and neck. On paper he needs good growth, material, and docility numbers.

If it's a terminal sire I want him big. Heavy muscle, deep body, some length, square headed, short neck, wide shoulders and top. On paper I want high growth, low calving ease (CED) high birth (BW), and high carcass numbers.

 

[Ebenezer]

#1 - By his dam.

 

[TCRanch]

I call my breeder, tell him I want either a heifer bull or terminal bull, and he delivers. But he knows my herd, my goals, and the lineage of all my previous bulls. I have yet to be disappointed.

 

[simme]

Sadly, a few bull buyers put price as a top priority. They probably have low expectations and will probably meet that goal.

Otherwise, depends on the goal. Just looking for pounds of calf to sell? Looking to grow a herd of good cows? Those two goals tend to put priority on different traits. Want both - then select for both and be willing to compromise some on the extremes.

Buyers tend to focus quickly on the biggest (maybe fattest) bull in the group. Bull test "winners" attract buyers. Neither is a good selection criteria to build a cow herd.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Sadly, a few bull buyers put price as a top priority. They probably have low expectations and will probably meet that goal.

Unfortunately the same thing could be said about big names. I've seen bulls that people get stupid excited about because they have SAV, GAR, POSS, etc in front of their name. When in reality those bulls should have been steers.

 

[Nesikep]

First I pick a herd that's managed like mine, similar feed, etc
Then I take a look at the EPD's, throw out a few I don't like
Then I look at them in person, and throw out a few more.

The bull that comes home with me is the bull that likes me in the end, I don't need to be looking over my shoulder at all times.



Yeah, he's pretty relaxed https://photos.app.goo.gl/UR75tijAfA3gSMhb7

 

[Brute 23]

I start with the breeder and how they operate. After that I'm looking with my eyes and referencing epds to find a balance.

 

[GoWyo]

I A.I. breed about 75% of the herd each year. All A.I. sires are selected for strong maternal, decent weaning weights, moderate milk (mid 20s in Angus) and average mature height and weight, with selection toward lower mature height and higher mature weight. PAP EPD needs to be in the top 15% of the breed and there needs to be actual data to support the PAP EPD at least back to the parent side. This leaves only a few A.I. sires to even look at. Clean up bulls are whatever hasn't sold when we get down to what we need for bull power, and they are often good bulls that I think buyers overlooked. When we select bull calves to develop, they become steers if I wouldn't use them myself. Almost all the calves from clean up bulls get weaned and sold and selected A.I. sired calves go on as replacement heifers and bulls.

Current sires we use are S Right Time 7861, Sitz Resilient, S Wrangler, S Architect, S Armstrong (light use on Architect and Armstrong until they have more PAP data).

Bull calves were sent to the University of Wyoming High Altitude Bull Test last week (7200 feet elevation). They will be screened for PAP in mid-December and probably 30-40% will fall out of the program. The really high PAP bulls will be culled and pounded out. The ones with PAP over 50 mmHg at 7200' that can handle 5000' elevation will come home and be for sale private treaty with full disclosure why they aren't still on test.

Over time we should be able to find the cows that have calves that don't PAP very well and cull them to keep improving this aspect of the herd. It's a long process.

We have raised some bulls that would have made real good herd sires to cut back on A.I., but when they sell for good money it is hard to hold them back, so will continue with A.I. for now.

As far as EPD profiles, S Right Time 7861 is about as complete on paper for the traits we are after. Some of his calves are not going to be show cattle, but they make a functional base to tinker with as we go.

 

[ClinchValley86]

First I pick a herd that's managed like mine, similar feed, etc
Then I take a look at the EPD's, throw out a few I don't like
Then I look at them in person, and throw out a few more.

The bull that comes home with me is the bull that likes me in the end, I don't need to be looking over my shoulder at all times.
View attachment 51392
View attachment 51393

Yeah, he's pretty relaxed https://photos.app.goo.gl/UR75tijAfA3gSMhb7

Them dudes got the look don't they!!!

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I strictly breed for PB breeding stock.
I never look at paperwork on an AI bull until he passes the visual look. Then I start calling around looking for info on structure/feet.
When appraising a live bull, start at the ground and work up.

 

[TCRanch]

Unfortunately the same thing could be said about big names. I've seen bulls that people get stupid excited about because they have SAV, GAR, POSS, etc in front of their name. When in reality those bulls should have been steers.

This!

 

[redcowsrule33]

When we select bull calves to develop, they become steers if I wouldn't use them myself

We follow the same rule. I wish more breeders did the same.

 

[Travlr]

Choosing the right bull is one of the most critical decisions in a cattle operation. A poor cow purchase might lead to a single subpar calf each season, but a poor bull can result in 25-35 subpar calves—impacting an entire year's worth of production.

So, what criteria should guide a bull purchase?

In South Africa, it's rare to find bulls under two years old at production sales, with many being three-year-olds. In the U.S., however, yearling bulls are more commonly sold. Do you find that yearlings have enough developed muscling to be accurately judged for phenotype? Or do you rely more on Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and trust you're making the right choice?

Then, there's the question of phenotype. I prefer cattle that are both profitable and aesthetically appealing. However, it's often the case that the most profitable animals aren't always the prettiest! So what's your approach? Do you aim for an ideal look and then work on the figures, or do you focus on solid numbers first and refine the appearance later?

I'm keen to hear everyone's opinions on what makes for a good bull selection!

The end game is selling meat... so I look for bulls that will either produce heifers that will raise the best possible calves, or a bull that will put the best calves in a feedlot. I can do that with a lot of different breeds.

To produce heifers I look a lot more at EPDs. I like bulls that came out of cows with age on them because they have had to be fertile and productive for a lifetime to still be producing. I also look for birthweights between 70 and 90 pounds, great docility ratings, and high maternal traits. But these are all criteria after I sort bulls by how they look. Strong topline, length, body capacity, and muscle in the back end. Good feet and I like to see how they move.

Pretty much the same thing for producing steers except the EPDs are more weighted toward weaning weights and phenotype toward heavy muscling.

 

[gcreekrch]

I choose bulls that will improve our cow herd. The steers seem to be good enough to top sales and have buyers fighting over them. They are all terminal in the end. British bred cattle serve us better than continentals do.

 

[gman4691]

Fortunately, the folks from whom I buy bulls live about 2 miles away. Bought one almost 2 years ago and have been pleased so far. Sold the first group of calves from him this year - excellent calves. A number of my cows are a bit on the taller side so when I went to look, I looked for one that was a bit taller with a good stout frame. Spent $1000 more than I planned but got an excellent bull and he has not been a disappointment. I just looked them over and picked the one that looked like the best fit for our cows and displayed characteristics I would want in calves going to the sale barn. This year's calves were sent to sale barn around 7 - 8 months old (maybe a couple closer to 9)…all but one or two were between 650 and 775 lbs. with the oldest being 810 lbs. Great looking crop of calves that brought very good prices. This bull is very "enthusiastic"…a real Romeo.

 

[StrojanHerefords]

At this point I generally bring in new genetics in either through semen or buying bred cows and calving them out. Our conditions in California are different enough that not everything works for us. The one thing that has really helped us is using sons out of our best cows.

 

[Nesikep]

Them dudes got the look don't they!!!

Yup, I bought a heifer from them too, she was pretty good, her son (sired by the bull pictured before) is my bull now. He didn't have much to do this year, he's still looking a bit like a teenager, but I don't grain them or push for growth..
I buy from that fellow because he likes his docile cattle and has the same kind of grass, etc.. What works well for him will work well for me

 

[Nesikep]

At this point I generally bring in new genetics in either through semen or buying bred cows and calving them out. Our conditions in California are different enough that not everything works for us. The one thing that has really helped us is using sons out of our best cows.

I don't regret using my own bulls either... No one else's cows are going to be much more suited to your place than your best cows are, especially if you're a few decades into it

 

[Warren Allison]

Fortunately, the folks from whom I buy bulls live about 2 miles away. Bought one almost 2 years ago and have been pleased so far. Sold the first group of calves from him this year - excellent calves. A number of my cows are a bit on the taller side so when I went to look, I looked for one that was a bit taller with a good stout frame. Spent $1000 more than I planned but got an excellent bull and he has not been a disappointment. I just looked them over and picked the one that looked like the best fit for our cows and displayed characteristics I would want in calves going to the sale barn. This year's calves were sent to sale barn around 7 - 8 months old (maybe a couple closer to 9)…all but one or two were between 650 and 775 lbs. with the oldest being 810 lbs. Great looking crop of calves that brought very good prices. This bull is very "enthusiastic"…a real Romeo.

What breed is your bull, @gman4691 ?