Chuck Grove
Association Perspective
Tips for how to buy the "best" bull.
The most expensive genetic improvement tool for almost every commercial operation is the herd sire. Unfortunately, price is not necessarily indicative of quality or an indicator of the "best" bull for your operation. The best bull in a sale is not the same individual for every farm or ranch.
To purchase the right bull for your operation, consider making a job description that lists all the requirements and specs the bull must meet. Age, pedigree, expected progeny difference (EPD) parameters, phenotype, whether daughters will be retained, and how progeny will be marketed are all examples of points to consider prior to buying.
Important job factors to consider include:
1. Calving ease direct (CED) or birth weight (BW) EPD. Obviously, if breeding heifers is the primary job, those numbers are critical. However, if servicing mature cows is the bull's only responsibility, don't be afraid to use higher-birth-weight-EPD bulls. In many instances, they are considerably less expensive and the odds of dystocia among mature cows is extremely low.
2. Milk EPD. If the bull is being used terminally (all calves sold), milk is totally insignificant. Don't pay for a high milk number that will never be used.
3. Carcass values. Carcass numbers are vitally important if you retain ownership, but they return no direct value to the producer who sells all calves at weaning unless the producer is marketing the calves in a manner that will earn dollars due to carcass potential. $W should be a major decision tool if you sell your calves at weaning.
4. One-bull operation. If only one bull is used, then moderation in EPD values is probably the most practical approach. Balancing all traits vs. selecting extreme values in particular traits should be the most effective for you.
In short, list all the criteria that are vital for your new employee (bull) to be successful at his job. By doing this, you should not only buy the right bull, but the best bull for your program.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Chuck Grove covers Region 5, including the states of Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
Comment on this article.
[Click here to go to the top of the page.]