Doc,
Re:
Any suggestions on how to find out more about cows and selecting cows? Do I just identify the Dams of the better Bulls and look for their daughters? LOL, I guess what I'm looking for is a listing for prospective "herdDams".
As I said before ("and/or the product they want to produce.") that all depends on what product you are trying to produce.
Example: If you are trying to produce breeding stock to sell, the answer is yes.
If your intent is to produce calves to be sold at weaning the answer is no. It all depends on what your goal is.
To put it another way:
At what time (point) will your cattle enter the supply chain of the beef industry?
Example: Weaning, 800 to 900 lbs, feed lot finished, hanging graded carcass or I don't care.
What market are you targeting? (What quality of beef do you want your cattle to grade out at?)
Example: Poor (hamburger) fair (commercial) good (choice or better) excellent (prime) or I don't care.
Those are the most important questions you must answer before you even select a breed, much less individual animals within that breed.
Once you have selected a breed that is capable (and proven) of producing the product you want to produce you then select individual animals from within that breed.
Now here is the best and easiest way to buy heifers and bulls and put the odds in your favor without having to know a great deal about cattle selection.
(Where do I send the bill for this little trade secret?)
Hello, buy from a register breeder!
But don't buy his to be or registered stock; buy his culls at weaning time after looking at the momma and daddy.
Some of my best cows and bulls were bought that way and at sale barn prices as of the week of purchase with no commissions paid.
SL