Maternal or terminal – matching selection criteria with purpose
Not all bulls are designed to make cows and not all bulls are designed to make high gaining , high grading feeder cattle – this is a fact that often gets overlooked when buying bulls . Some suggest a bull can offer the best of both worlds , but it simply isn ’ t true . There are far too many genetic antagonisms between maternal and terminal traits . Before purchasing your next bull , determine the primary purpose of your bull and then select a bull that has the necessary traits to meet your needs .
If producing replacement females is the primary goal , prioritize your selection criteria according to the following :
• Fertility – Fertility is the most economically important trait in cow / calf production , so make sure to find an early-maturing bull with adequate scrotal circumference that has easily passed a breeding soundness exam .
• Calving Ease ( Maternal and Direct ) – Calving ease indexes are important because of the direct link to fertility . These indices account for birth weight , cow size , age and body condition , making them more robust and useful than actual birth weight or birth weight Expected Progeny Difference ( EPD ).
• Longevity / Structural Soundness – Longevity is a difficult trait to measure , so select bulls out of older cows with complete production records to make sure they are structurally sound .
• Feed Efficiency – Feed costs account for 70 % of the total cost of production . Using Residual Feed Intake ( RFI ) and not Feed : Gain ratio as selection for Feed : Gain will result in increased mature size and feed requirements of the cow herd .
• Frame Size – Frame size is an indicator of mature weight and feed requirements . Cattle that are too small lose both gain and production efficiency , while cattle that are too large have increased maintenance requirements .
• Carcass Traits ( Ribeye Area and Marbling ) – Carcass traits impact yield and quality and should be considered in maternal bulls . Select bulls with acceptable carcass value but don ’ t overemphasize carcass traits or you will select terminal bulls .
• Milk and Weaning Weight – Milk and Weaning Weight EPDs fall to the bottom of the list because they are cost-increasing traits rather than cost-reducing traits . Although most producers sell calves at weaning and these traits impact sale weight , increased production is associated with a cost increase , so there is an optimum level of milk and weaning weight .
When purchasing a bull to produce feeder cattle only and no replacement females , prioritize your selection criteria according to the following :
• Gain / Feed Efficiency – First and foremost , terminal bulls should add growth and gain efficiency to the calf crop .
• Carcass Traits – Terminal bulls should increase yield , and at the very least , maintain carcass quality .
• Calving Ease / Fertility – Open cows and dead calves don ’ t make
It is important to find a bull that fits your needs and purpose . any money , but a heifer bull is not necessary for mature cows .
• Weaning and Yearling Weight – Based upon available marketing options , utilize weaning or yearling weight data to improve / optimize sale weights .
Remember , bull selection is one of the most important decisions you will make as a beef producer , so do your homework and find a bull that not only fits your needs but also fits the purpose – maternal or terminal .
By Kevin Shaffer , WVU Extension Specialist – Livestock
West Virginia heirloom beans
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If you have an heirloom variety in your region that you would like evaluated , please contact WVU Extension Commercial Horticulture Specialist Lewis Jett ( Lewis . Jett @ mail . wvu . edu ; 304-293-2634 ).
By Lewis Jett , WVU Extension Specialist – Commercial Horticulture
Insert provided by WVU Extension Service and Davis College of Ag ., Natural Resources , and Design Winter 2016
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 17