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What do ya think of this bull? Any opinions welcome.

I certainly understand that. One reason I sort of appreciate him being a little smother up front is because that could help his calving ease.
 
He is one I will watch. I know & respect Grant Ritchie. Rambur Char is one of the premier Charolais Machines in the nation. This guy may not be as short as pictures show. I like the picture well enough I would like to see him & his get.
 
Shortgrass said:
He is one I will watch. I know & respect Grant Ritchie. Rambur Char is one of the premier Charolais Machines in the nation. This guy may not be as short as pictures show. I like the picture well enough I would like to see him & his get.
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I agree with you on his conformation Shortgrass. I think that he is a real meat machine and is so thick that he looks short-coupled.
I have heard of that type of Charolais refered to as 'white angus'. :D :P
 
I was never too successful at judging women after they were clipped and fitted so I'm not about to try it on a bull. Show us a picture after breeding 40 or so cows and doing some walking.
 
Thanks all. I may just try getting a calf or two out of this boy and you all can be pleased or displeased at my expense or pleasure.
 
mytfarms said:
Thanks all. I may just try getting a calf or two out of this boy and you all can be pleased or displeased at my expense or pleasure.
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I'll bet you'll be pleased, and that is who matters. He'll calve easy enough, and you'll have something there when its done. I'ld like to see the calf in person.
 
Shortgrass said:
mytfarms said:
Thanks all. I may just try getting a calf or two out of this boy and you all can be pleased or displeased at my expense or pleasure.
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I'll bet you'll be pleased, and that is who matters. He'll calve easy enough, and you'll have something there when its done. I'ld like to see the calf in person.
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Well, you're lucky Shortgrass! I'll call you between March and May of 2010 to have a look at one or two of them calves.
 
I'm with Shortgrass and Northern...I want to see him after he's been working and rather see him...picture don't seem to do justice. How old is he in the pic. I don't think he is too short coupled...like his rump, hooks to pin length, smooth top line. I would like a more masculine front end. I like to see muscles ripple when walking, not fat jiggle...1350 YW says over fed to me. Just my opinion...but then, what do I know...I'm with Boogie...I like some ear! :wink:
 
I think just a little over a year, so he probly is in his best condition. Yep, I figured grain fed the second I saw him, but I just wanna give 'em a try. Plus, I've got those rugged, easy fleshing Pharo genetics to fall back on. :D
 
I used Charolais bulls on BWF and Angus cows for quite a few years, with good results. The 92 pound birthweight wouldn't worry me a bit for using him on a cow that had already had four calves. Many of the bulls I used to buy had birthweights of 100 to 110 pounds, but they were not bred to any cows that hadn't already had three calves. There were hardly any calving problems, and these were usually a mis-presentation of some kind. The larger birthweight usually translates into a bigger weaning weight, so there are more pounds to sell. Our Charolais-cross calves were always considered a terminal cross and no heifers were kept for replacements.

The bull looks good and square to me. He is definitely in his going-to-town duds, but he looks like the type that would maintain his condition while out working. Ritchey's are nice folks and they have good cattle. Some of the bulls I used about fifteen years ago were purchased from them, and the bulls turned out well. The main reason I quit using Charolais as an outcross, was because it limits the heifers available to pick from for replacements. Now we just use straight Angus bulls on mostly straight Angus cows.
 
Thanks, Soapweed. We actually know Craig and Kate Ritchey and their family. I think I've got two girls to use him on next year.
 
mytfarms said:
I certainly understand Chars being criticized for giving up calving ease.
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I don't. I understood it back in the '70's, but not now.

I've heard a lot of people talk about having calving problems with Char bulls, but when I've questioned them, they don't really have any personal experience with modern Charolais.

In fact, when you get to questioning those people closely, most of them will admit that they're just repeating hearsay - OLD hearsay. I've used Char bulls to clean up heifers and never pulled a calf.

As for the bull in the pic, no offense, but he looks kinda like a sissy. But I don't guess it really matters - as long as you're gonna AI him, he doesn't have to like girls. :lol:

I'll take a good Charolais bull in his working clothes any time:

B9.jpg
 
My few cents worth: I like a bull to look like a bull, not a club calf. I'd make him more masculine.

-He's definitely a meat machine, which is great.

-I like them in their working clothes also, but I'm sure his calves from your cows will do just fine being raised in your environment.

All you can do is give it a try.
 
Well, I like 'em in their workin' clothes too, but in this case, I need a little "showier" bull. The 4-H program out here makes the stuff with hair and muscle worth more than what I can get for calves that are good stock for making it on their own. We've had good luck with breeding to Char bulls and they make decent keepers. Tough decision.
 
mytfarms said:
Well, I like 'em in their workin' clothes too, but in this case, I need a little "showier" bull. The 4-H program out here makes the stuff with hair and muscle worth more than what I can get for calves that are good stock for making it on their own. We've had good luck with breeding to Char bulls and they make decent keepers. Tough decision.
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All I say is pick a direction for your program and stick to it Pharo bred cows is one way and charlaios is another.I think I would pick something inbetween and stay the course.If your looking at retaining heifers for in herd use an even consistent group is what your after same as selling feeder calves they need to be consistant no matter the breed or color.I know nothing about 4-H calves but here you could'nt sell one no interest = no market.Genex has a Charlaios bull LT Bluegrass now thats a bull.
 
I have used Char bulls on 1st calf heifers for several years. No more problems than I would expect with other breeds. Less in fact for me, because I use him on Char heifers. If I were breeding any number of heifers from other breeds, I would stay within the breed to avoid heterosis factors. On a first calf heifer, predictability is the name of the game. Pick an easy calver within the breed. I have used Char bulls on BWF heifers, and not had problems, but not large numbers of them. For calving ease, a bull that is almost cow headed will get a second glance from me. Variety is what makes the world go round. Two old cowmen were talking, and the first one said "If everyone had the same opinion, everyone would want to marry my wife." The second one dissagreed say that no one would want to marry her!
 

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