Purchasing a herd bull can mean the difference between an improved genetic line and no calf crop at all.
Dr. Bob Judd, host of Texas Vet News on the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network, shares Dr. John Grimes of Ohio State Extensions seven areas to look at when purchasing a breeding bull.
First is to identify the goals for your beef herd and select a bull that will meet those needs.
“This should require some thought and research to make sure you get the right bull for your situation. You may want to discuss this with your local veterinarian or maybe an Extension beef cattle veterinarian in your area,” Dr. Judd said.
Also, use Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) to identify bulls with exceptional genetics compared to others in the breed.
“Also, use actual performance data available at most breed associations to identify outstanding bull prospects,” Dr. Judd said. “Probably the most important tip is to never buy a bull without a breeding soundness examination performed by your veterinarian.”
It gives you an idea of the fertility of the bull.
“You need to know this information before purchase and not after you’ve missed a calf crop,” Dr. Judd said.
Bull selection is also related to the number of cows you have.
“Dr. Grimes indicates a good rule of thumb is to place the same number of cows with a young bull as the age of the bull in months,” Dr. Judd said.
A bull should be looked at as an investment in your program.
“It’s not an area to try to save money,” Dr. Judd said. “A poor quality bull that only gets the cows bred but does not improve the genetics of your herd is generally not a good investment for your program.”
Dr. Judd’s full report can be heard here: http://bit.ly/1KFzNxF.