Take the Bull by the Horns

Bull sale season will soon be in full swing, meaning now is the time to determine the bull selection criteria and budget for purchasing your next herd sires. Considering that a bull’s contribution to the genetic makeup of a beef herd in a single breeding season is more than a cow may contribute in her lifetime–a bull may sire 25 or more calves per year while the average cow produces fewer than 10 calves–selecting genetically superior bulls is the quickest way to improve herd genetics. But how do you determine which bull is right for your operation? Match Your Breeding Program to Your Operational Goals The first step in identifying which bull or bulls are right for your farm is to clearly establish both the long- and short-term goals of your operation. These goals, along with the management practices and infrastructure that fit those goals, will determine the breeding programs and genetics required to achieve them. There are a variety of breeding programs available, and effective si