Bull Management

Preparedness is the key to making an informed purchase when procuring a bull. And testing, planning and management are the keys to garnering the most productive value from that herd sire. From selecting the right genetics by utilizing modern tools, to ensuring the full expression of those genetics, there are a multitude of factors to consider in attaining the profit and production goals for a beef cattle herd.

Recent Items for Bull Management

Mar. 25, 2013

Article

Research Finds No Bull Fertility Difference With Pyrethroid Use

University of Illinois research found no differences in sperm motility, morphology or testosterone levels, between a control group of bulls and three groups of bulls treated with pyrethroids....More
Mar. 14, 2013

Article

Which Bull Will Make You More Money? 2

Some bulls excel in siring calves that perform in the feedyard and on the rail, and some bulls sire calves that perform on the scales. Knowing which is which can help you sort your calf crop and optimize revenue....More
Mar. 7, 2013

Article

The Measure Of A Bull’s Worth – Part One 1

Not all bulls get the job done during breeding season. With DNA technology and a lot of number crunching, research in California found some answers to help ranchers sort the workers from the welfare recipients in their bull battery....More
Feb. 20, 2013

Article

Most Valuable Bull Produces The Most Calves

A three-year study on three northern California ranches says a bull that breeds a lot of cows and sires a lot of calves will produce more value than a bull that doesn't ... period. This is regardless of genetics for carcass merit, weaning weight or method of marketing....More
Feb. 7, 2013

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$10,000 For A Commercial Bull? 5

One thing that is for certain is that producers understand the value differences that are associated with superior genetics. Thus, they’re looking to position their operation for what promises to be a very lucrative time for the industry, and they are investing heavily in securing that future....More
Jan. 17, 2013

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Some Thoughts From The National Western 7

You can still find wild extremes if you look, but the industry is focusing in and making dramatic progress on selecting for the economically relevant traits of beef production for the most part. In fact, seedstock producers are even surprised by the amount of progress. The high-selling bulls of five years ago would now be in the bottom 20% of most of this year’s sale offerings....More
Jan. 17, 2013

Article

Cut Through The Clutter When Analyzing EPDs

Open up just about any bull sale catalog and you’ll be hit with an avalanche of information. While it may seem that you need an informational sluice box to sift out the nuggets you’re looking for, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Focus on the traits that are economically relevant to you and remember that you can’t change everything at once....More
Jan. 2, 2013

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Tips For Selecting Bulls, Culling Cows 1

If you raise your own replacements, the bulls you select become the future of your herd. Meanwhile, judicious cow culling can clean up your herd and make it more manageable and marketable....More
Dec. 20, 2012

Article

USDA Issues Final Rule for Animal Disease Traceability 1

Under the final rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved interstate would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates....More
Nov. 9, 2012

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The Argument Over Straight-Breeding 21

Traditional crossbreeding programs, while theoretically sound, have proven problematic when implemented in real-world situations. There are several good reasons why straight breeding has been increasing, despite the advice of land-grant universities and their economic and animal breeding departments....More