Dec. 28, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Kris Ringwall,
NDSU Extension Service livestock specialist/Dickinson Research Extension Center
director, at 701-483-2348,
ext. 103 or kris.ringwall@ndsu.edu
Full Article: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/beeftalk/.
BeefTalk: All I Want for Next Year Is 2 New Bulls
No
one denies the cost of keeping a bull, so why not make sure you are putting the
costs into good bulls and not marginal bulls?
The
biggest mistake purebred or commercial producers make when buying bulls is not
having the bull registrations transferred to their name. That is a serious
mistake.
It
goes without saying in the beef business, but what better feeling than bringing
home a couple of new bulls? All the effort in selecting new bulls comes to an
end when the bulls arrive in the yard.
However,
don’t stop there. Granted, they are the right bulls once purchased, no
questions asked. As a producer, you purchased the bull, as well as the data
that represents the bull.
In
simplest terms, you purchased the right to produce calves of a desired
genotype. The calves will be reflective of the genes that the bull has. His DNA
is those threads of life that ultimately make up who we are.
The
bull’s genes were measured and presented as data at the time of sale. By
utilizing that data, bulls may be sorted and selected with considerable
accuracy. However, the data does not stop with the purchase of the bull. Breed
associations constantly are updating their databases and fine-tuning the
expected progeny differences (EPDs) for all bulls.
As
your bull ages, his database is growing at breed headquarters. In time, a
producer can print the revised EPDs to better evaluate selection objectives and
progress by reviewing past and new bull purchases.
Recently,
as the animal breeding class finished at school, one of the students was
challenged to more thoroughly evaluate bull purchases. Unfortunately, previous
bull numbers had not been maintained, so the student did not feel it was
possible to go back in time. Fortunately, the family had transferred the
ownership of several previously purchased bulls.
The
student was encouraged to contact the breed association to help find the EPD
values on older bulls. Because the bulls had been transferred to a new owner,
the association was able to supply information on current and past bulls. Some
of the information went back three decades.
A
review of the historic and current data made for an excellent class project and
great take-home message. Yes, bulls have changed and the genetic trends are
very telling. Therefore, for the new year, evaluate
the old bulls and treat yourself to a new bull or two.
Each
year’s crop of calves brings with it a whole new set of bull prospects. The
thoughts of newness, such as new inspirations, desire and a general feeling of
letting go of the old and in with the new, are good.
Keep
the registration number, but why not let go of those old bulls to open doors to
new genetics?
Each
fall, the Dickinson Research Extension Center empties the bull pen of all those
bulls that got benched. This opens up some slots for new bulls. There always is
the option to carry an older bull for another year. However, breeding cows on
pasture is demanding, so the bull’s slight limp soon becomes a major fault in
next year’s breeding pastures and certainly increases the potential for new
injuries and some cows not getting bred.
Granted, the expectation of having the bull for three years or
longer is not out of line. However, some bulls just don’t make it for several
reasons, including structural difficulties or their attitude changes. They may
start viewing their owners as herd mates and can become dangerous.
A
producer should thoroughly evaluate structure, body condition and conduct and
do an early breeding soundness exam on all of the mature bulls. Minor problems
will become major problems once exposed to cycling cows.
Once
the bull pen has been evaluated, make sure the keepers get extra hay that will
put 150 to 300 pounds (1/2 to 1 pound of gain daily) on the bulls throughout
the nonbreeding season. This will allow the bulls to
meet their normal growth curve. This sometimes does create a challenge because
the bulls slowly become too heavy to be effective breeding bulls.
However,
healthy, active bulls are the desired bulls, not the thin, underfed bulls
waiting in line for survival rations. No one denies the cost of keeping a bull,
so why not make sure you are putting the costs into good bulls and not marginal
bulls?
What
store catalogs have a good section on bulls? Well, none of them, at least in
the world of urban shopping. However, bull catalogs
almost are mandatory reading for the average bull buyer, and it won’t be long
before there will be a bull sale every day of the week.
Look
for a couple of new bulls, but before you sell the old, make sure you get the
registration number transferred and tucked away for later data evaluations.
May
you find all your ear tags.
—
Provided by North Dakota State University Extension Service
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