New herd sire

Are people now breeding for a high tailhead? I've seen it on a lot of recent bulls. I've heard it is associated with infertility due to females with vaginal infections.

Other than that I like the bull.
 
Are people now breeding for a high tailhead? I've seen it on a lot of recent bulls. I've heard it is associated with infertility due to females with vaginal infections.

Other than that I like the bull.
I don't care for it either, it seems to be the trend in show cattle. I've heard the same thing regarding fertility, also can be an indication of being too flat form hooks to pins, which leads to dystocia, potentially. The other side of the argument is it goes hand in hand with more hind quarter muscling. So like most things it probably depends on your end goal.

I like the bull though.
 
I don't care for it either, it seems to be the trend in show cattle. I've heard the same thing regarding fertility, also can be an indication of being too flat form hooks to pins, which leads to dystocia, potentially. The other side of the argument is it goes hand in hand with more hind quarter muscling. So like most things it probably depends on your end goal.

I like the bull though.

Hind quarter muscling??? I'm old enough to have seen a lot of great bulls with hind quarters but they had a flat tail head. Yeah, other than the tailhead he's nice. Better than a lot. But I'd never we using him for replacement females if he throws that tailhead to them.
 
Tell us more about the bull. If I had to guess he looks like a Thedford or Man in Black son.
 
I know most of you are much better judges of cattle than me but some of you have got a bit of guts forming such a definitive opinion of a poorly posed bull.. Even saying you like the bull in spite of the tail head I don't know how you do it. I appreciate @elkwc showing us his new bull and look forward to a good set of photos or a video down the track.
 
I know most of you are much better judges of cattle than me but some of you have got a bit of guts forming such a definitive opinion of a poorly posed bull.. Even saying you like the bull in spite of the tail head I don't know how you do it. I appreciate @elkwc showing us his new bull and look forward to a good set of photos or a video down the track.

LOL... if a bull gets any kind of compliment he must be decent. A high tailhead is like about the most minor fault. The ones I'd worry over are the ones no one says anything about... If they are so bad that they can't be critiqued they have got to be pretty awful.

But hey, bring on the better pictures. Who knows what we can find then...
 
I don't care for it either, it seems to be the trend in show cattle. I've heard the same thing regarding fertility, also can be an indication of being too flat form hooks to pins, which leads to dystocia, potentially. The other side of the argument is it goes hand in hand with more hind quarter muscling. So like most things it probably depends on your end goal.

I like the bull though.
A high tailhead isn't my preference. His tailhead doesn't go straight up. If I would trim the hair on top of his tailhead it would look better. I researched the cows back to grand dams in his pedigree. All are solid. I have had some experience with you tailheads. Have talked to vets. Have never seen the fertility issue some mention. We consistently have weaned a 95% calf crop or higher and no preg check. So don't feel fertility is an issue for us. Sold 18 head of 18-21 year old cows about 7 years ago. All had a calf every year and some had what many consider a high tailhead. Had my hands on this bull tonight. He is thick. As one good cattleman said he is a meat wagon. His tailhead is higher than I prefer but after doing research have no concern retaining daughters sired by him. I wouldn't have bought him if I had. I understand there are some that wouldn't but very likely I wouldn't keep daughters out of some of their herd bulls. We each base our decisions based on our experience and those who we trust. I feel he will move our herd forward. If the concerns I have his railhead isn't one of them.
 
I know most of you are much better judges of cattle than me but some of you have got a bit of guts forming such a definitive opinion of a poorly posed bull.. Even saying you like the bull in spite of the tail head I don't know how you do it. I appreciate @elkwc showing us his new bull and look forward to a good set of photos or a video down the track.

We had a major wild fire last week. We are busy from sunup to sundown feeding cattle and hauling hay. The pictures were snapped quickly after he was unloaded. Doubt if there will be anymore pictures or videos. We will be busy feeding until it rains and still have to rebuild some fence. So more important things than taking pictures.
 
Hind quarter muscling??? I'm old enough to have seen a lot of great bulls with hind quarters but they had a flat tail head. Yeah, other than the tailhead he's nice. Better than a lot. But I'd never we using him for replacement females if he throws that tailhead to them.
I think I stated that poorly. The high tailhead and swooping topline popular in the showring gives the appearance that the hip is set back further and looks bigger. Meaning from a side profile the hip appears to be well behind the tailhead. I doubt if it makes any real difference in muscling.
 
Elkwc,
I really like the bull, I like the fact you bought it from someone that still ultrasounds bulls. Alot of breeders have gone to DNA only, and the only way the DNA keeps getting better is people that weigh and scan and input those phenotypic traits to help "correct" the DNA markers.

I take alot of pictures so I will try and word this correctly. In the picture the back leg foot is turned out a bit. It is probably just a one off stance and not how he moves..

I think the bull is well built and well cared for. I would love to know what the EPDs say about him..

Care to share his EPDs?
 
IMG_3068.jpegIMG_3069.jpegHere is my new herd sire!
Bought this bred heifer in October
She comes from great pedigree.
Calf's dad is out of Gar Ashland and Connealy black granite.
Heifer is Basin payweight and plattemere weigh up.
Calf weighed 65 pounds. Hopefully he grows well?!

I paid more for her than my bull from 8 years ago.!. Lots of variables before it pays off.
 
Elkwc,
I really like the bull, I like the fact you bought it from someone that still ultrasounds bulls. Alot of breeders have gone to DNA only, and the only way the DNA keeps getting better is people that weigh and scan and input those phenotypic traits to help "correct" the DNA markers.

I take alot of pictures so I will try and word this correctly. In the picture the back leg foot is turned out a bit. It is probably just a one off stance and not how he moves..

I think the bull is well built and well cared for. I would love to know what the EPDs say about him..

Care to share his EPDs?
Thanks for the reply. I'm not a picture taker and don't have the desire or time to study on how to take proper pictures. I analyze my cattle by visual . And if I can't see one in person I ask someone Who I trust to analyze him. He has good feet and legs. He isn't perfect and I didn't expect him to be. I'm not an EPD guy on a yearling bull. Glanced at his and know there were no red flags. He has good actual weights and measurements. He wasn't creep fed. Like most yearlings pushed more than I like. Talked to the breeder and had a person I trust analyze him.
Like I stated in another post we had a major fire and very busy. We have around 150 head not counting calves to take care of everyday. If I see his EPD's I will snap a shot. But will likely be a few days. We are trying to get some ready to sell. Thanks again for the reply.
 
Elkwc,
I really like the bull, I like the fact you bought it from someone that still ultrasounds bulls. Alot of breeders have gone to DNA only, and the only way the DNA keeps getting better is people that weigh and scan and input those phenotypic traits to help "correct" the DNA markers.

I take alot of pictures so I will try and word this correctly. In the picture the back leg foot is turned out a bit. It is probably just a one off stance and not how he moves..

I think the bull is well built and well cared for. I would love to know what the EPDs say about him..

Care to share his EPDs?
Sent you a pm
 
Just my opinion, but I really like that bull. I believe you will be happy with him
Thanks for the reply. Will likely be the last picture I post on this forum. Seems some feel the need to criticize every animal posted instead of looking at what works for others. They make statements based on hearsay and not experience or facts. I will join several of my friends who no longer post pictures on this forum. Again thanks for your response.
 
Thanks for the reply. Will likely be the last picture I post on this forum. Seems some feel the need to criticize every animal posted instead of looking at what works for others. They make statements based on hearsay and not experience or facts. I will join several of my friends who no longer post pictures on this forum. Again thanks for your response.
If you look at it with the negatives you'll always get negatives, I guess. I don't think there was anyone that said anything about the bull that in the end didn't say he was a good one and they liked him. So if you can't see the positives then I guess you missed them. Maybe you should reread again from that perspective. Sorry if I insulted you on your very nice bull because he has a high tailhead... which has been brought up and has been a topic of discussion on other threads. If you ever post anything with really bad problems I'll try to remember that you are sensitive and don't want me to say anything.
 

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