So, you’re wanting to choose the perfect bull for your replacement heifers.
opt sagely , supporter .
A great herd bullshit not only represent half the calibre of your ruck . He also represents half the problem you will face during break up season . specially with heifers .
As a review , a heifer is a distaff cow that has not yet had a calf . Depending on breed and size , normal heifers are ready to breed when they are 15 - 20 months of age . Plus , heifers have not been prove yet because they have not break up .
So , you could now see why it ’s so authoritative to choose just the right copper for your heifers . You ’re wondering now how to make that choice . Here arethree thingsto keep in mind when making the decision .
First, Look at the Bull’s Statistics
Luckily , the beef manufacture has developedEPD’sto help make these decisions a little easier .
EPD ’s stand for“Expected Progeny Difference”which represent an estimation of the bullshit ’s transmissible time value as a parent and within the strain . I emphasize “ appraisal ” .
Reading EPD ’s are a knowledgeable accomplishment . The number and percentages can look like a foreign spoken language at first . American Angus Association has a outstanding pageHEREthat give definition and program line on reading EPD ’s for Angus oxen .
standard of birth weightiness , calve simplicity , milk , maternal , and carcass grade are only a few EPD ’s sire across the board . From there , the EPD ’s deviate from breed to cover .
So , Hereford EPD ’s ca n’t really be used to evaluate or compare to a Red Angus shit . The Red Angus breed has it ’s own EPD ’s special to the breed .
Reading EPD figure deviate by breed standards . But , when choosing the veracious Taurus the Bull for heifers , the Birth Weight EPD need to be modest and the Calving Ease EPD demand to be high . This is because heifers call for to be able to give birth to small calf more easily .
Looking at these two EPD number are an ideal spot to startle narrow cop choices down .
Again , EPD numbers are only estimates . Therefore , decisions should not be made solely on EPD ’s . There are other factors that should play into choosing the perfect bull for heifers .
Secondly, the Bull’s Family History Matters
The producer of the Taurus should know this information and be capable to tell you the bull ’s sept history .
It ’s important to screw the story of calving comfort , low or eminent birth weights and the size of the brute in the bull ’s family .
This seems like a very minor detail , but it is Brobdingnagian . Because as you have ascertain , EPD ’s should not be the only factor in the decisiveness devising process .
manufacturer are more than glad to deal accurate data about the bulls they are deal , including their history . Plus , producers who keep accurate records of their herds have the data available to deal .
Know the bull ’s in reality crime syndicate history can reveal one year of bigger calf or one year of other problem you could look if you purchase him to breed to your heifers .
Third, Know the Size of your Heifers
You should know how big your heifers are . Depending on the strain of the heifer , an ideal sizing to breed them is at least 800 Irish pound . So you would definitely not want to purchase a bull that was way too cock-a-hoop for your heifer .
Even if you do n’t have a livestock scale of measurement , you’re able to weigh your heifers . you may load them up and take them to a veterinarian or a sales event b that has a scale . Or , a neighboring producer might have a scale you could use to count your heifers .
It seems like a lot of work , but you by all odds take to love the size of it and weightiness of your heifers .
Pay Close Attention to your Budget
Your budget matters in this conclusion of choosing the perfect fuzz . It can make or let on the sustainability of your cows operation if you pay too much .
Understand the market and watch other sale to learn about how much to expect to budget for a good quality bull .
It ’s really amindset of wants versus pauperization . You need this bull to breed to your heifers , but you may want an amazing bull that is right smart out of your Mary Leontyne Price range .
The Sojourner Truth is , there are many bulls out there in all price ranges . You will be able to choose a honorable heifer Samson in your price kitchen stove .
Bull Shopping is Fun
Choosing the everlasting dogshit to breed to your heifer is a stressful task , but it is definitely fun to learn and see bull’s eye in the cattle industry .
The networking and relationships you make with breeders are invaluable , no matter what your budget may be . Use the relationship you make with your bull producer to dig deep into the Taurus the Bull ’s mob tree , while using EPD ’s to short-circuit through the list .
You ’ll be finding that gross bull in no fourth dimension and calculate forrader to a successful calving season .
