DOC HARRIS
Well-known member
cmf1":2wymijry said:Thanks for replying W.T.
This is where I'm depending on others Knowledge and experience.
My bull is not by any means overly masculine. But he expresses solid masculinity in his bull calves.
My bull is not overly feminine (in my mind) but expresses great femininity in his heifers.
At this point in my progression I would prefer more heifers and want them to be properly feminine with functional structure and longevity.
I know the cow is part of the mix, but I often wonder about the physiology of high masculine bulls creating quality feminine heifers versus a touch of feminine quality (or a little less masculinity) from the bull.
I Know for pounds which way I would go.
For useful heifers I'm just considering possibilities.
cmf1-
I am gratified by your statement that you are depending on others knowledge and experience! That is a giant step in any learning process. Most of us on this Forum are interested in helping dedicated producers to be the best that they can be. Knowledge and experience will lead the way in one becoming successful in any business!
My Opinion: You did "...miss something..." if you think that the white bull is post-legged. There is a fine line between being "acceptable", or optimal, and "unacceptable", or worthless as a seedstock candidate. The ability to differentiate betweeen the two extremes is an Art and a Science, and is capable of being learned by those who are truly interested in learning and thinking with an open mind, and willing to refuse to be "barn blind!" to the inadequacies of their own livestock. You appear to me to be eager to improve your business status!
The ability of an animal (male or female) to express traits and characteristics which will enhance their value through their progeny is determined by their Phenotype (their 'looks'), their Genotype (how they pass those traits on to their offspring by the combination of Dominate or recessive Genes,) and the accumulation of functional characteristics which affect the animal's function and longevity in the herd. An optimal BALANCE of those desirable features is what will determine whether a Beef Cattle operation is successfully profitable - or not.
The extensive investigative and explorative work which has been accomplished by Universiies and Agricultural Foundations has proven to be valid and convincing over time, ...IF... honesty and integrity are part of the formula! The primary objection that most disclaimers of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) being used for seedstock analysis have is that people are cheaters and dishonest, and will report inaccurate facts when giving information concerning their cattle and accompanying genetics. People being what they are, since Adam, I cannot deny the possibilty of those occurrences. All the more reason that a diligent cattle producer must consider every known factor possible in his selection protocols for future seedstock.
My point here, cmf1, is you seem to be on the right track in your thinking, but I think that you are splitting the hair too finely regarding Masculinity and Femininity (and other traits which are concommitant with those traits, such as low BW, Milk and increased calving difficulty due to reduced pelvic area) by disregarding some obvious Phenotype characteristics in your present bull, in spite of how he seems to reproduce those desirable traits.
It is important to consider the Murray Grey breed characteristic Standards in your evaluation of your bull.
BALANCE here is the key to ultimate success! I hope that I haven't confused you, as I seem to have done to some of the members of this forum recently.
DOC HARRIS