Page 7 - MWC 8-20-20s

K-State Experts Lay Out The Midwest Cattleman · August 20, 2020 · P7

Criteria For Evaluating Bulls

By Bob Weaber, K-State Research and Extension
Summertime culling As an example, Larson said
decisions hinge on if Bull A sired 28 calves aver-
several factors aging 450 pounds at weaning,
As bulls come off the sum- and Bull B sired 12 calves av-
mer breeding pastures, pro- eraging 500 pounds at wean- Summer is a good time to evaluate bulls as they leave the breeding pastures.
ducers have several criteria to ing, some producers might put pounds of weaning weight by and those heifers are retained
consider when making culling a higher genetic value on Bull having more of his calves in in the herd, then a sire will be
decisions, according to experts B because his calves weighed the herd,” Larson said. more limited on the years of
at the Kansas State University more. Another consideration is service.
Beef Cattle Institute. “I say Bull A has more value the breeding rotation. Weaber “If producers retain too
“Fertility is the most import- because he sired more total said if bulls are used on heifers continued on page 25
ant because bulls need to be
able to breed lots of cows,” said
veterinarian Bob Larson.
But beef cattle extension
specialist Bob Weaber coun-
tered: “I would argue that
there is a genetic effect on the
bull’s libido and willingness to
settle cows.”
Larson advised producers
to conduct a sire test to know
which bulls fathered the most
calves. He credits fertility to
the bull who sired the greatest
number of calves.

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