From Farm Talk Newspaper
news@joplinglobe.com
There’s not a beef producer in the country who hasn’t hoped on sale day that his calves top the market.
It takes a lot of pieces to complete the puzzle. Things such as good cows, good management, good grass and a good vaccination and weaning program.
There is one piece of the puzzle, however, that is absolutely essential — the right bull.
When it comes to bull power, Tom Troxel, University of Arkansas animal science professor, said producers need to look at a variety of questions.
“When it comes to sire selection we all have our own opinions,” he told producers at the recent Oklahoma State University Beef Cattle Conference held in Dewey, Okla.
The thing to remember, according to him, is that a cow impacts half the genetics of one calf per year.
“A bull on the other hand impacts half the genetics of 25 to 30 calves per year,” he explained. “Therefore, bull genetic management is 25 to 30 times more important than cow genetic management.”
So, how should a producer go about selecting the right bull?
“You can talk about a number of things when looking at the right breed of bull,” he said. “But, the time has come to look for the right type of bull, not the right breed of bull.”
As producers look at selecting bulls they can look at a number of considerations, including muscling, frame, milk, calving ease, etc.
“Instead of looking for certain qualities of a bull you need to look for balance,” Troxel explained. “Look at maternal traits plus growth traits. Never select a bull on one trait.”
For producers, there are a number of things to help them decide what type of bull to use.
“You can listen to your neighbor, look at magazine ads, visit the local sale barn and look at bulls and sire summaries,” he explained. But before doing that, Troxel told producers they needed to first look at themselves, their environment and their business.
After determining what type of bull would work best for the operation it is important to know how many bulls are needed.
According to Troxel, the number of bulls needed depends on things such as length of breeding season, age of the bull, size of the herd, size of the pasture and topography.
“Generally speaking, it takes one mature bull to every 25 to 30 cows,” he explained.
If using a young bull, Troxel told producers to breed him to the same amount of cows as his age is in months.
“If you are using an 18-month-old bull put him with 18 cows,” he said.
When purchasing new bulls Troxel offered the following tips:
* Buy from reputable breeders only
* Purchase virgin bulls
* Look at customer service
The last piece of bull selection advice Troxel offered was the importance of obtaining a breeding soundness evaluation.
“Twenty percent of the beef bulls evaluated for breeding soundness in the United States are either questionable or unsatisfactory potential breeders,” he explained.
Local News
Farm: Selecting bulls vital to cow herd success
- Local News
-
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
-
Jasper County 911 administrative lines down
Though all Jasper County emergency 911 telephone lines are functional, administrative and non-emergency lines for the county dispatching service have been down since Monday night.
-
Study suggests continued population drop in Kansas
A decades-long decline in population is likely to continue in Kansas, particularly in the west of the state, and four counties could have fewer than 1,000 residents by 2040, according to a study by Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research.
-
Tornado victim’s recovery ‘miraculous’
Carolyn Mckinlay did not know much about baseball, but she knew it was important to watch the sixth game of last year’s World Series. It was important because her future husband, Mark Lindquist, had a ticket to see his beloved Cardinals take on the Texas Rangers in the seventh game at St. Louis.
-
Family of service honored at Memorial Day ceremony
Lt. Col. Robert Brock returned to his hometown Monday and told an audience of about 500 residents and veterans gathered at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial that Memorial Day is a celebration of family — America’s family of service.
-
Master developer working on project possibilities
A Texas developer who Joplin officials intend to hire to help with the city’s post-tornado development says he has secured commitments for about $400 million in capital to fund about 20 possible projects.
-
Webb City High School honored in rankings of national magazine
Webb City High School is among 13 schools in Missouri to receive a silver medal designation among the best high schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
