If you must you a bull versus AI, use the same selection criteria you would for AI. Calving ease is kind of breed dependent, what is calving ease for lets say Charolais is not calving ease for a Hereford. That said, use a bull with reliable data acquired from a reliable source. Pound bulls at the sale barn are rarely a good choice unless all you want to do is sell bred cows, once. An inferior bull will hurt your credability and reputation in a heart beat and take years to repair. Sermon is over. If they are well grown out heifers the choice is much less critical, smaller heifers require more care in calving ease/BW selection. Also, be aware that if they are predominantly a specific breed, if you use a breed other then that predominant breed you will have larger calves at birth then if you used the predominant breed bull. Contrary to popular believe I don;t really think you can starve a small calf out of a mating that will produce a large calf. Restricting the nutrition the month or two before calving may slightly affect the calves BW but only because it will be less healthy, it can also hurt the cows ability to produce colostorum and milk. Also make her harder to breed back. My views on the subject. But I would go with an Angus, either RED or the odd colored black ones.
dunmovin farms
> Hi, looking for advice on what
> breed to service 1 st calf
> heifers.. Lots say use an Angus
> Bull,because of a smaller head
> diameter,at birth, others say that
> breeds such as Beefmaster are
> better because they don't ride the
> cow so hard, I'm going to buy a
> bull soon and need some sound
> advice! Thanks, P.C.
