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Stacking low birth weight genetics
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<blockquote data-quote="Ebenezer" data-source="post: 1545285" data-attributes="member: 24565"><p>When we go back several decades prior to CED being around, the BWs meant more and got more discussion. Actual BW is not a thing that is going to get a scientific guy excited if you have EPDs for BW. Long story short, "back when" a BW EPD of 3 was getting high for heifers regardless of other data. Now the CED as positives and a knowledge of actual BW might get you into a closer fit but I'd have to know for sure that a 3+ BW EPD bull had calves born looking like a snake before I bred a heifer. This general type bull would not be compromised on height nor selected to be built like a rhino. He will be quite adequate on muscling and quite balanced in weight to height. +2 would be high enough to gamble on for me with heifers and with a +CED.</p><p></p><p>BR can poo poo this non-scientific thought, too, but the BW in the maternal grand dam has a lot to do with the issue on a heifer's or cow's birth weights regardless what she is bred to. A high BW back in the MGD is going to create an issue - opinion.</p><p></p><p>A great bull with a BW EPD of over 3 is going to set some calves up to not be "heifer bulls" as you know. But I think that you will be more pleased with the average type and performance. Buyers just need to understand that you have not stacked high BWs or selected a sire that is unbalanced. Folks seem scared of bulls bred for cows anymore but they like the calves. Go figure. But I have come to wonder about the comparative value of EPDs as some, like MM, have raced into the 30's or higher and folks, I assume, are still mainly forage based. But I think that you are hitting the nail on the head with length of gestation being a compounded problem in CED.</p><p></p><p>Side note if you believe in the voodoo of Bonsma applications: if a bull sires calves in your environment and the bull calves are smaller than the heifer calves that is an indication that the sire is not a good fit for your environment. BR can poo poo again and is welcomed to do so. Just a thought as I shake my rattle and dance around the fire. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ebenezer, post: 1545285, member: 24565"] When we go back several decades prior to CED being around, the BWs meant more and got more discussion. Actual BW is not a thing that is going to get a scientific guy excited if you have EPDs for BW. Long story short, "back when" a BW EPD of 3 was getting high for heifers regardless of other data. Now the CED as positives and a knowledge of actual BW might get you into a closer fit but I'd have to know for sure that a 3+ BW EPD bull had calves born looking like a snake before I bred a heifer. This general type bull would not be compromised on height nor selected to be built like a rhino. He will be quite adequate on muscling and quite balanced in weight to height. +2 would be high enough to gamble on for me with heifers and with a +CED. BR can poo poo this non-scientific thought, too, but the BW in the maternal grand dam has a lot to do with the issue on a heifer's or cow's birth weights regardless what she is bred to. A high BW back in the MGD is going to create an issue - opinion. A great bull with a BW EPD of over 3 is going to set some calves up to not be "heifer bulls" as you know. But I think that you will be more pleased with the average type and performance. Buyers just need to understand that you have not stacked high BWs or selected a sire that is unbalanced. Folks seem scared of bulls bred for cows anymore but they like the calves. Go figure. But I have come to wonder about the comparative value of EPDs as some, like MM, have raced into the 30's or higher and folks, I assume, are still mainly forage based. But I think that you are hitting the nail on the head with length of gestation being a compounded problem in CED. Side note if you believe in the voodoo of Bonsma applications: if a bull sires calves in your environment and the bull calves are smaller than the heifer calves that is an indication that the sire is not a good fit for your environment. BR can poo poo again and is welcomed to do so. Just a thought as I shake my rattle and dance around the fire. :) [/QUOTE]
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