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<blockquote data-quote="Jeanne - Simme Valley" data-source="post: 830850" data-attributes="member: 968"><p>Nothing is simple when it comes to cattle - or most anything.</p><p>I have a well balanced herd. Period. Some are 5 frame - some are 8 frame. Some are red - some are black. Do I care that they are different sizes & colors? Absolute NOT. Is my herd uniform? Absolute YES. Uniform in the traits that are important to my goals. Uniformly structurally correct. Uniformly big volume easy keepers. Uniformly fertile myrtles.</p><p>Are each and every cow perfect? Absolutely NOT. I breed EACH cow to a bull that I think will produce "the most perfect" calf I think I can get. Does that mean I get perfect calves? Absolutely NOT. </p><p>In my opinion, there is no such thing as a perfect animal. Hopefully, we all strive for that perfect animal, and that's what gives me a great herd of cows. I cull heavily on structure, reproduction (fertility), & temperament. I also cull on performance, but as far as priority, that is down on the list, although it, too, is extremely important. It's just rare that one of my heifers produces a dud.</p><p></p><p>So, what am I willing to sacrifice. I believe I answered that in my first comment. Carcass. I breed each & every cow for a heifer calf. I don't look at carcass EPD's with great interest. Do I want great carcass steers? Absolutely. But, when choosing a bull to match a cow, carcass info is at the bottom of the list. The phenotype that I like usually makes a great feedlot steer. Structurally correct, well muscled, easy fleshing. Marbling has never been a problem. If it becomes a problem, I may have to look at that a little closer when choosing bulls. But, as said, I have so many other things that are higher on the list of priorities to achieve that BALANCED offspring. Balanced in the traits that make me $$$$. Is anything more important?? So, again, I will say that you can achieve your goals if you stick to your breeding plan. But, again I will say that my cattle are not perfect - just as close to perfect as I am able to make each & every one of them to make me the most money. That is my goal.</p><p></p><p>BTW - (bragging!) we just had our NY Bull & Heifer sale - I had one animal in the sale - a yearling bull - he was 2nd high selling animal - sold for $3400 - High seller was a BC Lookout Angus bull for $3500. So, even tho I don't breed for bulls per se - I get good bulls that go out & work for their new owners. I have many repeat bull buyers. Contingent bidder has already contacted me to purchase a bull calf this fall.</p><p></p><p>Edit: I would like to add that just because you "pick" a bull that is your "perfect" choice for a specific cow - does not always turn out the way you planned. Not all bulls have the ability to pass on the phenotype & genotype CONSISTANTLY with each & every calf. So, we all get "surprises" along the way! But that's what makes "breeding" choices interesting - and CALVING SEASON.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jeanne - Simme Valley, post: 830850, member: 968"] Nothing is simple when it comes to cattle - or most anything. I have a well balanced herd. Period. Some are 5 frame - some are 8 frame. Some are red - some are black. Do I care that they are different sizes & colors? Absolute NOT. Is my herd uniform? Absolute YES. Uniform in the traits that are important to my goals. Uniformly structurally correct. Uniformly big volume easy keepers. Uniformly fertile myrtles. Are each and every cow perfect? Absolutely NOT. I breed EACH cow to a bull that I think will produce "the most perfect" calf I think I can get. Does that mean I get perfect calves? Absolutely NOT. In my opinion, there is no such thing as a perfect animal. Hopefully, we all strive for that perfect animal, and that's what gives me a great herd of cows. I cull heavily on structure, reproduction (fertility), & temperament. I also cull on performance, but as far as priority, that is down on the list, although it, too, is extremely important. It's just rare that one of my heifers produces a dud. So, what am I willing to sacrifice. I believe I answered that in my first comment. Carcass. I breed each & every cow for a heifer calf. I don't look at carcass EPD's with great interest. Do I want great carcass steers? Absolutely. But, when choosing a bull to match a cow, carcass info is at the bottom of the list. The phenotype that I like usually makes a great feedlot steer. Structurally correct, well muscled, easy fleshing. Marbling has never been a problem. If it becomes a problem, I may have to look at that a little closer when choosing bulls. But, as said, I have so many other things that are higher on the list of priorities to achieve that BALANCED offspring. Balanced in the traits that make me $$$$. Is anything more important?? So, again, I will say that you can achieve your goals if you stick to your breeding plan. But, again I will say that my cattle are not perfect - just as close to perfect as I am able to make each & every one of them to make me the most money. That is my goal. BTW - (bragging!) we just had our NY Bull & Heifer sale - I had one animal in the sale - a yearling bull - he was 2nd high selling animal - sold for $3400 - High seller was a BC Lookout Angus bull for $3500. So, even tho I don't breed for bulls per se - I get good bulls that go out & work for their new owners. I have many repeat bull buyers. Contingent bidder has already contacted me to purchase a bull calf this fall. Edit: I would like to add that just because you "pick" a bull that is your "perfect" choice for a specific cow - does not always turn out the way you planned. Not all bulls have the ability to pass on the phenotype & genotype CONSISTANTLY with each & every calf. So, we all get "surprises" along the way! But that's what makes "breeding" choices interesting - and CALVING SEASON. [/QUOTE]
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