Yep, that bull over there—now, he’s a good one! The question is, how do we really know until we have his daughters in production? Is he a shiny penny or will he prove himself worthy over the test of time? How can we leverage our investment to ensure improvements within our bull battery that will influence the viability of our cow herd? The underlying question is, “Will that ‘good bull’ improve our herd, both in the short run and also in the long run?”
I encourage you to identify the tools that will propel your program into the achievable future. The integrity and reputation of the program that stands behind the cattle is, without a doubt, of No. 1 importance. If you don’t already know them, be sure to get to know bull producers and their program. Does their program line up with the goals and demands of your program? Individual breeder’s websites can provide a wealth of knowledge. How about a phone call?
The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) is a very valuable resource when studying a bull—along with the data search tool in REDSPro. Be sure to also check out all the articles written by our staff with regards to understanding EPDs such as averages, accuracies, percentiles, possible change and trends which are available in the Red Angus Magazine archives at RedAngus.org. The more you understand, the better equipped you are to make sound decisions.
What about the bull’s structure, i.e. visual appraisal: feet, legs, shoulders, spine, head shape, rib capacity, length, muscling and tracking ability? Is he built to stand the test of time and provide an asset to your program? Is the bull’s history important? Is he the result of embryo transplant, was he a twin, did his mother calve unassisted, out of a first calf heifer or mature cow, was he creep fed, on irrigated grass, desert or mountain pasture, drought condition of the year, basic health, were his feet trimmed? How about mama? Udder structure, teat size, mothering ability, Most Probable Producing Ability, cow family longevity, mature size, fleshing ability, disposition, fertility, frame size, feet issues—these are all aspects to evaluate and consider.
Has the breeder gone the extra mile with genomic testing, parentage verification, ultrasound carcass testing, fertility testing, feed efficiency testing, etc.? Are they advancing the breed and providing the best product possible? Are they available to help you with marketing your resulting calves? Will they stand behind their product? Again, how important is the integrity and relationship you have with the bull producer?
Now let’s consider extremes. How much of a good thing is too much? Does excessive calving ease result in lighter calves at weaning or decreased pelvic size of your females? Is excessive growth tied to birthweight causing dystocia’s and, ultimately, issues with breed back of the dams? Do excessive growth traits create a maintenance energy issue? Does excessive carcass quality inhibit maternal/fertility traits?
Is excessive milk causing udders to break down early and/or cause breed back issues? Is excessive gain causing foot issues? Is excessive hair an issue with heat tolerance? Where is the “sweet” spot within your herd and your environment for these traits? How do you target to optimize your program toward perfecting the future viability of your herd?
The bottom line: in order to achieve a successful bull purchase that propels you into the next generation with a sustainable cow herd, you need more information than a pretty picture and the data printed in the catalog. Otherwise, you will likely end up with nothing more than a shiny penny. Use all the tools in your toolbox, and remember, EPDs are just one of your tools. — Kay Klompien, RAAA board member
