what does a good cow or bull look like?

[jvicars]

I often see posts to eval a person bull or hiefer. I am a newbie with approx 30 head. i still really dont get what the fine points are in a good bull or hiefer. can someone post some compare and contrast pics. i know real bad but in between avg and excellent i have a hard time telling. I really would appreciate some more education. this board has help a lot.

 

[novatech]

Take a look at some of the past critiques on pics posted on these boards. OK Jeanne and Jeanne - Simme Valley
Both have some pics of their cattle and are as good as you can hope to get. Look through cattle magazines specific to your breed. Knersie has some more specific he has given on past posts. You may also want to pick up some semen cataloges and look at the bulls.
You may want to look at this site
http://www.bovineengineering.com/linera_male.html
http://www.bovineengineering.com/linear_female.html
http://www.bovineengineering.com/NL_fertile_bull.html

Just found this in my favorites
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publica ... MP-398.pdf

 

[Hippie Rancher]

the way to really judge what they look like is the kind of calves they raise and the financials on gettin 'em there.

 

[backhoeboogie]

the way to really judge what they look like is the kind of calves they raise and the financials on gettin 'em there.

Nice summary. Good lookin bulls don't necessarily have good market calves. We all have different climate conditions, soils, grasses, and market condtions.

 

[msscamp]

the way to really judge what they look like is the kind of calves they raise and the financials on gettin 'em there.

It would be great if it worked this way, but the truth of the matter is that GIGO tends to prevail. If your heifers/cows are not up to snuff, it will show in your calves.

 

[Hippie Rancher]

msscamp - not sure what GIGO means but the OP asked about bulls and heifers. My answer applies to both as well. :tiphat:

 

[msscamp]

I often see posts to eval a person bull or hiefer. I am a newbie with approx 30 head. i still really dont get what the fine points are in a good bull or hiefer. can someone post some compare and contrast pics. i know real bad but in between avg and excellent i have a hard time telling. I really would appreciate some more education. this board has help a lot.

You might want to google "judging cattle", without the quote marks. You might also want to think about talking with your local county extention office - since they are usually the source of 4-H functions, they oftentimes have pictures of ideal/good/poor conformation in cattle. Another option would be to get with a trusted friend in your area who raises cattle, he/she should be able to give you a course in what you want to look for/avoid.

 

[3waycross]

msscamp - not sure what GIGO means but the OP asked about bulls and heifers. My answer applies to both as well. :tiphat:

Garbage In Garbage Out GIGO

 

[jvicars]

4h hiefers and steers just seem like reality since they are feed a lot of grain. my are grass feed. i cannot imagine having to feed grain like a 4h cow.

 

[Hippie Rancher]

msscamp - not sure what GIGO means but the OP asked about bulls and heifers. My answer applies to both as well. :tiphat:

Garbage In Garbage Out GIGO

D'OH! sometimes hard to integrate computers and livestock in my brain! thanks

 

[msscamp]

4h hiefers and steers just seem like reality since they are feed a lot of grain. my are grass feed. i cannot imagine having to feed grain like a 4h cow.

Whatever you think!