gizmom said:
Branded
I highly recommend visiting studs and operations. I don't like to use a bull unless I have seen progeny or the bull himself. I will also go on record as saying I have seen bulls at AI studs that I would have culled for disposition or feet, but that is just one old ladies opinion, I am sure they are making a bunch of money on the bull, and could give a rats butt what I think. It is our responsibility as breeders to do our own homework.
gizmom
Not all the bulls I have seen at collection facilities look that great!
I have been to a couple of facilities where bulls are collected. As Gizmom mentioned, it is not unusual to see a bull with bad feet or other discrepancies. I think it was Ironhide I saw in Missouri that had an inguinal rupture.
These bulls are often maintained for years in a 10 by 20 pen. They are over fed and do not get exercise.
Stick a 25 year old Male human in a 10 by 10 studio apartment, not let him out for exercise and over feed him and watch what happens.
I was told by a Genex Rep that they are moving toward changing the protocols for housing these bulls. Not just to make them look better but to improve semen production.
You have to take the lifestyle of a bull into consideration when assessing phenotype.