How Do You Select a Bull?

[Welvaren]

Thank you all for your responses! It's always interesting to see how different ranchers choose bulls based on various priorities. I don't believe there's a right or wrong approach, as long as you're thoughtful about the process—and aren't breeding with a bull that should've been a steer! (haha)

Personally, I consider myself more of a heifer breeder than a steer breeder, as I'm still increasing my cow numbers. My selection is driven by what the heifer calves will look like and how they'll perform. I aim for a medium-framed cow that is fertile, has good milk production, can cover long distances, raises a healthy calf, and has a temperament that makes handling manageable. Calving ease and strong maternal instincts are essential too; on my operation, a cow will loose sight of her calf at short distance so she must want to look and find it.

When assessing a bull, I look for one raised by an older cow with an intercalving interval as close to or better than 365 days. He should have been around the 50% mark for cow-calf weight ratio at birth. I also consider certain "fancy points," like a short sheath, a broad head, a well-sloped rump, and other small traits that enhance my herd.

Ultimately, we all have different goals, but we still expect our bull breeders to uphold integrity and sell animals that are truly above average.

 

[StrojanHerefords]

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

The problem is that by using your own bulls EPDs don't work.

 

[wbvs58]

The problem is that by using your own bulls EPDs don't work.

Maybe so but they get replaced by knowledge of how the bull was born, how he grew, the full history of the cow family that you can be confident in.

Ken

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

The problem is that by using your own bulls EPDs don't work.

If the bull fits your needs and grows a nice marketable calf then who cares about EPD's?

Lots of market toppings steers get sold everyday by some rancher that hardly knows what an EPD is...

 

[Silver]

The problem is that by using your own bulls EPDs don't work.

What's an EPD?

 

[StrojanHerefords]

The problem comes when it comes time to market seedstock. Not having performance data is puts you at a massive disadvantage when it comes time to sell bulls. In talking to prospective bull buyers, they no longer talk about how well cattle perform but rather their numbers. I don't have been told that over the past 20 or so years the EPD's have risen but the weaning weights have stayed the same.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I just bought 2 bulls in the last 3 weeks and have no idea anything about their EPD's.

I bought them based on their looks/features/performance and from their parents looks/features/performance for lack of a better term.

I could care less what some numbers on a paper theoretically could mean if the moon and stars align for things to go right.

 

[gman4691]

What breed is your bull, @gman4691 ?

Brangus…about 3 years old…somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700-1800 lbs…best estimate

 

[gman4691]

What breed is your bull, @gman4691 ?

He's a big pretty boy an is "enthusiastic". I think he bred our cows, our neighbor's cows, and would have bred those across highway if he could have gotten to them. I think he tried to breed the wife's cats…and one them is a boy…lol. The calves I just sold were the first crop from him.

 

[Warren Allison]

He's a big pretty boy an is "enthusiastic". I think he bred our cows, our neighbor's cows, and would have bred those across highway if he could have gotten to them. I think he tried to breed the wife's cats…and one them is a boy…lol. The calves I just sold were the first crop from him.

You need to buy him some more girlfriends!

 

[Travlr]

The problem comes when it comes time to market seedstock. Not having performance data is puts you at a massive disadvantage when it comes time to sell bulls. In talking to prospective bull buyers, they no longer talk about how well cattle perform but rather their numbers. I don't have been told that over the past 20 or so years the EPD's have risen but the weaning weights have stayed the same.

I'm not much for EPDs either. I used them to choose bulls for inseminating my replacement heifers before I sold them... mainly to impress my clients. But for my own uses I choose bulls by eye. And that's how the commercial buyers are buying for the feedlot.

 

[kenny thomas]

The last 2 years i have chosen my bulls by messaging Simme. He understands what i like and knows EPD's better than i do. He sends me pictures and tells me when to come get them.

 

[Nesikep]

What's an EPD?

Estimated, Probable Data?

 

[SBMF 2015]

The problem is that by using your own bulls EPDs don't work.

The problem with EPDs is that the some of the big players in the seedstock business are blatantly skewing the numbers. People know it and not doing anything about it.
But it ruins the breed averages for the rest of us.

 

[kenny thomas]

The problem with EPDs is that the some of the big players in the seedstock business are blatantly skewing the numbers. People know it and not doing anything about it.
But it ruins the breed averages for the rest of us.

Does taking blood to get the EPD's do away with this human factor?

 

[SBMF 2015]

Does taking blood to get the EPD's do away with this human factor?

maybe part of it. But it doesn't help when they "accidentally " step on the scale while taking weaning weights.

 

[Louthelivestockguy]

Estimated, Probable Data?

No it's Expected Progeny Differences!
It's a way of saying how much difference from the control animal within that breed.
Control meaning the average for the breed. If it's WW (weaning weight) is 35,
That means this animal will likely add 35 more pounds above the average for that breed at weaning time!

 

[Louthelivestockguy]

No it's Expected Progeny Differences!
It's a way of saying how much difference from the control animal within that breed.
Control meaning the average for the breed. If it's WW (weaning weight) is 35,
That means this animal will likely add 35 more pounds above the average for that breed at weaning time!

I sell feeder calves at the stockyards.
Birthing ease is my top priority.
WW and $Beef are second priorities for me.
Carcass values a close third.
I have found that DOC in a bull will travel to his offspring so that's likely my third priority too!

 

[Louthelivestockguy]

I sell feeder calves at the stockyards.
Birthing ease is my top priority.
WW and $Beef are second priorities for me.
Carcass values a close third.
I have found that DOC in a bull will travel to his offspring so that's likely my third priority too!

Even though I'm a commercial guy, using EPD's for bulk purchasing has helped me tremendously. My calves get higher dollars at Bluegrass stockyards because they have that look. Not everyone one, but most. Good bulls make good calves if your cows are decent and somewhat uniform in frame!

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Good bulls make good calves if your cows are decent and somewhat uniform in frame!

Correct but not every "good bull" has good EPD's or heck really EPD's at all.

And not every bull with "good EPD's" is a "good bull".

I've seen plenty of fancy high dollar high EPD bulls that I wouldn't let breed the neighbors cows.

Too many people get hung up on those numbers and think that they make a superior animal. They are just numbers on a piece of paper...