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