selecting bulls and replacement females
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powerpoint presentation by Cheryl Fairbairn. Looking at the grass based systemTRANSCRIPT
SELECTING BREEDING BULLS AND FEMALES FOR A GRASS BASED SYSTEM
Cheryl A. Fairbairn, PSU Animal Science Educator
PurchasingBulls
BreedAgeNumber of cows to serviceUltimate goal for offspring
ReplacementsTerminal
Purchasing• Females– Breed– Age• Weaned heifer calves• Yearling heifer calves• Bred heifers• Two year olds• Mature Cows
Past herd history• Where did they originate?– Environment plays an important part– Are they able to efficiently convert grass?– Are the acclimated to your environment?– What area of the country are they coming from?– How were they handled?
Genetic Information• Use of EPDs on specific breeds.• In bulls look for sires that will provide growth• To be profitable cattle must grow quickly on
grass so optimal growth is a must!• Cows should be adequate in milk but not
excessive• High milk cows will wean off big calves but
sometimes will not rebreed.
Genetic• When grass gets short there is not enough
energy provided to allow them to milk and rebreed
• They get thin and then you have an open cow.• So moderate milk selection is better• Birth Weight EPD on bulls and females is
essential too!
Genetics• Are you always around?• Are you away during the day?• Is there help readily available to pull a calf?• Lower BW EPD’s are the best for many part-
time producers or for those who may work away from the farm.
• It all starts with a live calf!
Phenotype• Structural soundness is the key to longevity in
the herd.• Feet and legs are so important to any
operation because they must be able to get around and forage.
• Unsound cattle will spend their day laying down rather than foraging.
• Unsound cattle are often less fertile
Phenotype• Udders must be sound on females– Small teats so baby calves can access them easily– Tight udders are healthy udders• If they have no suspension they are susceptible to
disease and are not easy for calves to access.• If teats are large like coke bottles calves cannot get
started on their own and will die if not tended to.• Do you have time to milk out a cow every time she
calves?
Records• Are their any records on the cattle you are
purchasing?• Mature cows– Calving interval– Average weaning weight– Dystocia problems– Mothering ability– Attitude
Records• Heifers– Weaning weights– Yearling weights– Individual Birth Weight
Records• Bulls– Birth Weight– Weaning Weight– Yearling Weight– Attitude– Breeding Soundness Exam
Health • Vaccination and worming schedule• History of where they have been and where
did they come from• Breeding Soundness Exams• Any injuries• Health papers? Within state and from out of
state makes a difference!
Replacements from your own herd• Much easier to understand but still not a sure
thing• Really don’t know until she gets into
production• Even the best numbers can fail miserably• Better bet though because you know the
history and they are acclimated to your environment!
Summary• Don’t just purchase because cattle look the
part• Be able to evaluate soundness • Understand records• Understand EPD’s for that breed• If possible look at cows with calves on them • The cow and calf will tell you a lot!!!
Questions