Page 14 - MWC 2-3-2022s

BUYING BULLS mature cow size if daughters The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P14

continued from page 7 were being retained. That may dexes and performance traits view and adjust rankings ac-
whether heifers out of the not be optimal. Instead, look- that fit your operation. This cordingly and determine po-
potential sire will be kept as ing for a more moderate level is easily accomplished for AI tential purchase order well in
replacements, as well as how in several traits might yield sires, and many of the major advance of the sale-day whirl-
and when terminal progeny more optimum results. bull studs offer comparison wind. In a perfect world, hope-
will be marketed. If produc- Sale books and AI directo- tools on their websites. fully some of the numbers will
ers are retaining ownership ries will also have additional If you’re planning to attend match up and you’ll go home
of their cattle and marketing information, such as actual a bull sale, make sure to re- continued on page 15
them on the grid, this helps birth weight, wean-
simplify finding the genetics ing weight, etc. Be
and EPDs that align with that cautious when se-
end point. lecting sires based
mea-
these
on
Elimination surements. They
Once all the questions on are influenced by
the flow chart have been an- production envi-
swered, we can sort through ronment and man-
sale books or AI directories agement practices
and decide which bulls possess such as creep feed-
the traits that are desired/ac- ing, age of dam and
ceptable and will help meet grazing practices.
targeted breeding objectives While actual an-
and progress the cow herd. imal performance
Often, it is easier to begin is a useful tool for
with elimination rather than comparing closely
selection. Take a red marking related sires raised
pen and eliminate any bulls in similar condi-
that do not meet the criteria tions (i.e., half sib-
you have established, have lings in the same
specific lines in their pedigree sale book), EPD
you’d like to avoid, or poor values are the
structural integrity that will most accurate de-
inhibit their ability to effec- piction of the sire’s
tively cover cows. Regardless genetic potential
of whether a bull is used by and his calves’ per-
AI or natural service, it is crit- formance.
ical he and his offspring can New DNA tech-
remain functional and sound nology has great-
in the environment in which ly increased the
they will be asked to perform. accuracy of EPDs

Selection in young bulls
Now that we have narrowed and provides even
the playing field, reverse the more insight into
process and begin evaluating their genetic po-
those bulls that have accept- tential before they
able ratings in desired traits. have opportunity
Take a new marker and high- to sire their own
light bulls that have EPDs progeny. These ge-
and economic indexes that nomic-enhanced
separate them from the rest of EPDs provide pro-
the field. If pictures and vid- ducers with EPD
eos of the bulls are available, values at accura-
examine them closely. Com- cies equivalent to
pare them side by side for any an animal that has
bulls being considered to en- sired 10-36 calves,
sure that both genetic poten- depending on the
tial and phenotype meet your trait.
criteria. Will the bull comple- Ranking
ment the phenotype of the fe- Now that you’ve
males he will be used on? eliminated some
Single-trait selection is not bulls and studied
recommended. Maximizing the others more
a single trait is not always closely, it’s time to
ideal. For example, repeated- rank them in order
ly selecting bulls with high of purchasing pri-
preweaning growth (WW) ority. Start with
and milk EPDs would raise bulls that best pos-
calf weaning weights, but it sess the most ac-
would also increase energy ceptable EPDs, in-
requirements, feed costs and