keep or sell bull?

[newcattleman]

My uncle came over Sunday and said my bull looked pretty small for 2 yrs old. The bull is probably 12-1300lbs. and hasn't had anything but hay all winter. My first calves from him will be coming in a week or two so I haven't seen any of his calves yet except for 1 of my moms cows that he bred the day he jumped the gate. That calf was born in mid Oct. and about 250-300 lbs. I have not had fall calves so I don't know if this is a normal size, but seems small to me. The calf and cows only got hay all winter.

I am wondering if I should sell the bull or keep him and see how the calves end up. If I wait to see how the calves grow he will end up breeding the cows again. The bull breed is angus. His commercial mom was AI'd to Impression.

This is the first time I've had a bull and done any breeding. I bought the bull from my uncle for 1000 so it is not a total loss (with prices now) if I have to sell him. The cows are all commercial cows. Most are char. or angus crosses. Thanks for any advice.

 

[branguscowgirl]

Can you post a picture of him?

 

[newcattleman]

I will try to get one and figure out how to post it.

 

[newcattleman]

http://ranchers.net/photopost/data/500/ ... 192829.jpg

 

[branguscowgirl]

Nope, didn't work.
You have to put it in a photo bucket account. Then copy and paste. I am not good at explaining it. Can someone please step up and tell Newcattlman how it's done?

 

[oscar p]

What will it cost you to replace him? :idea: I'd want to see the calves before I made a up my mind. But, that's just me.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

How did your moms cow do with the calf before this one?

 

[newcattleman]

I think I got it now.
moms cow came from my uncle as well. she had her first calf the previous year andt he had to pull it so he was getting rid of her. the calf turned out and grew well but he didnt want to chance it so he sold her for 600. This time she calved just fine.

 

[3waycross]

You can do better. He could use some groceries but you could do better. FWIW this winter is when he needed some extra groceries. The coming two winter is hard on bulls. Have you had a breeding soundness exam done on him?

 

[newcattleman]

I have started giving him some grain. I have not had any tests done but all the cow got bred just fine.
I think the first cow will be calving tonight.

 

[3waycross]

I have started giving him some grain. I have not had any tests done but all the cow got bred just fine.
I think the first cow will be calving tonight.

Not having a BSE done EVERY YEAR is one hellova crapshoot. I guarantee you that he could easily come up shooting blanks tomorrow. You need to have him tested NOW. If you wait until turn out and he comes up negative you will be scrambling for a bull. If you don't then you can just wonder for the next year until you see feet sticking out of the first cow next spring.

 

[Limomike]

Funny your uncle sold him to you then comes over and criticizes him about being too small. Guess he is just being honest with you. From what I see, he is light in the azz, big headed, short body, and I think you could do alot better.

 

[TN Cattle Man]

Newcattleman... You can get some great advise on this board as well as some good ole honest criticism! It will be up to you as to what you do with it. That said, me personally would consider that bull as "Poor" and he would not be right for what I consider as a sound breeding bull. As 3way said... "You could do better".

I agree with the others in thinking that he could sure benefit from some groceries but I am also curious about your health plan. Do you vaccinate and worm regularly? Do they have access to minerals and/or supplements? It takes quite a bit of effort to keep these animals in top notch condition, especially through a winter as brutal as this one has been. To me, it just looks like he may need something a little more then just feed.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do!!

 

[highgrit]

Why have a BSE done every year? On a big operation or one where you don't see the cows very often I can see having a BSE done. Keeping record's of what is going on with your herd is the number 1 thing that needs doing. A cow will tell you whether the bull passed his BSE in 20-25 days.

 

[thommoos]

Aside from being skinny, as in needs soem extra feed, i noticed his hind quarters are lacking, depth looks fine. I would get him on some Bull feed for about 30 days to see if he will start to fill out.

 

[3waycross]

Why have a BSE done every year? On a big operation or one where you don't see the cows very often I can see having a BSE done. Keeping record's of what is going on with your herd is the number 1 thing that needs doing. A cow will tell you whether the bull passed his BSE in 20-25 days.

and they will al tell you in about 45 days. by then where are you in your breeding season..Highgrit I have a lot of respect for you but on this you are wrong.

 

[strihafarms]

I my mind the most important question is, can you afford to replace him with something "better". I agree he could use some extra groceries but that age is tough on all bulls. If you can afford to do so I personally would try to trade up. But on the other hand, some of the nicest calves I have seen have come from some of the ugliest bulls. Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[highgrit]

3Waycross, your right if you do things by the book. How did the old timers do it? I know my uncle always carried a pen a notepad while checking the cows. And he always said write it down boy or you won't remember. And I should add, if you keep the bulls with the cows year round do you get a BSE done monthly? With a breeding season I would have a BSE done before the bulls went in with the cows. That is good cheap insurance.

 

[Aaron]

3Waycross, your right if you do things by the book. How did the old timers do it? I know my uncle always carried a pen a notepad while checking the cows. And he always said write it down boy or you won't remember. And I should add, if you keep the bulls with the cows year round do you get a BSE done monthly? With a breeding season I would have a BSE done before the bulls went in with the cows. That is good cheap insurance.

Pretty much all the guys that let the bulls run year round don't do BSE's or preg-checks at any time. They only ship the opens after they have gone a fair time, say a couple years, without a calf.

With the cost of raising cattle, these types are getting fewer and fewer every day.

 

[newcattleman]

I wish I could see how the calves grow before I had to breed again. I know I could but that would be to long to go without any calves.
My first calf came about 3 this morning. Of course, it had to have it in a slushy mudpit so it had to be carried out of it. that is kind of scary with the cow two feet behind you.
That gives until July (when I put the bull back in) to see how the calf (and others) is growing.

Does anyone recommend a good feed mix for the bull? I have 2/3 cracked corn and 1/3 gluten pellets mixnow, along with a trace mineral block and hay.

Thanks for the advise, I appreciate it.