Sire Selection

markers are all available to use for bull-buying decision . Consider this example of using EPDs to select two bulls :

These EPDs tell us that , when bred to an average group cows , Bull A will wean calves that are 20 pounds heavier than Bull B , and both will have the same average birth weight . If we use these bulls on an average of 40 cows over 4 years and wean 95 % of the calves , we will expect Bull A to wean 3040 more

pounds of calf . At $ 2.25 per pound , that is $ 6840 more value over the life of the bull . Considering the return on investment the $ 2000 bull actually costs $ 4800 more to own than the $ 4000 bull when you consider the value of the calves . Actually , consider bulls are only “ rented .” For the initial investment cost of $ 4000 for a bull that is later sold for $ 2500 when he is marketed after just 4 years of service , the cost to breed each cow in the herd for the 4 years just considering the purchase price is only $ 9.38 per cow .

While making the decision to buy a bull , set the goals for the herd , identify bulls with the genetic potential to reach those goals , disregard any bull without known genetic information , then select a bull based on the breed , phenotype , or other criteria you require . It will truly be the most important investment you make for the cow herd . I

BEUS DOUBLE DRIBBLE 104D SIRE : CONNEALY CONSENSUS 7229 • MGS : EXLR NEW GENERATION 071M CED 8 • BW 1.6 • WW 66 • YW 104 • MB 0.62 • $ MTI 72

BEUS DARK AGES 193D SIRE : KG SOLUTION 0018 • MGS : MAGS Y-AXIS CED 20 • BW -4.3 • WW 64 • YW 113 • MB 0.55 • $ MTI 70

sires rePresented : Cole arChiteCt , Cole Count doWn , mags anChor , mags Y-axis .

ContaCt us for more information and a sale Catalog . Brad Beus • PasCo , Wa • 509.727.2082 • BeusCattle @ gmail . Com

46 | FEBRUARY 2018