RobertMac
Well-known member
#1- disposition...Life is too short to own bad dispositioned cattle. One in four steaks is tough...the major cause of tough meat is stress. Stress from sickness and stress at slaughter...disposition contributes greatly to both. Do the industry and our product a favor and quit keeping bad dispositioned cattle!
#2-scrotum...The testicles are part of the endocrine system(which controls all the animals functions). A less than perfect scrotum would indicate a less than perfect endocrine system which is faulty genetics which means less than optimal functionability and performance.
#3-structure...feet, legs, frame...if the bull isn't built correctly, he won't last and is an indicator of flawed genetics.
Then I look for masculinity and athletesism...head level or lower than the backbone; course to curly hair on the forehead; well developed crest on a short, extremely thick neck; masculine, well muscled shoulders with matching loin and rump(over fat bulls are smooth and lack visible muscle movement). These are indicators that the testicles are producing testosterone...indicating properly functioning endocrine system. A young bull is an athlete and should move like one...as he walks, the rear foot should step in the track of the front...too far either way indicates structural flaws.
I select bulls to produce good cows...I want a 3 to less than 5 frame bull that will be close to a ton mature weight. That means he will be thick, deep bodied, and well muscled. I want the volume passed on to his heifers which will make them easy fleshing(which is also helped because you selected for endocrine system). Cost of maintaining the cow will be a major factor in profitability as we have to deal with more FTAs.
Selecting terminal sires can be a little more relaxed...just slaughter all the heifers and cut all the bull calves.
#2-scrotum...The testicles are part of the endocrine system(which controls all the animals functions). A less than perfect scrotum would indicate a less than perfect endocrine system which is faulty genetics which means less than optimal functionability and performance.
#3-structure...feet, legs, frame...if the bull isn't built correctly, he won't last and is an indicator of flawed genetics.
Then I look for masculinity and athletesism...head level or lower than the backbone; course to curly hair on the forehead; well developed crest on a short, extremely thick neck; masculine, well muscled shoulders with matching loin and rump(over fat bulls are smooth and lack visible muscle movement). These are indicators that the testicles are producing testosterone...indicating properly functioning endocrine system. A young bull is an athlete and should move like one...as he walks, the rear foot should step in the track of the front...too far either way indicates structural flaws.
I select bulls to produce good cows...I want a 3 to less than 5 frame bull that will be close to a ton mature weight. That means he will be thick, deep bodied, and well muscled. I want the volume passed on to his heifers which will make them easy fleshing(which is also helped because you selected for endocrine system). Cost of maintaining the cow will be a major factor in profitability as we have to deal with more FTAs.
Selecting terminal sires can be a little more relaxed...just slaughter all the heifers and cut all the bull calves.