Hot Stove Time of the Year.
The NWSS is coming to a close. It's getting close to calving season. All the 2016 Sire Directories are out! It's that time of year to begin choosing our A.I. bulls for this upcoming breeding season.
Every year I choose one proven, easy calving bull to "put across" all my yearling heifers. My heifers are predominantly Angus, Angus/Simm X, Angus/Maine X, and Angus/Simm/Maine Cross. I have tried many types and breeds over my 35 years of breeding A.I. For many years now I "normally" use Angus bulls.
Discussion Topic:
In your opinion, and using your personal experiences on breeding and calving heifers...
Who are the best proven calving ease bulls to use on yearling heifers selecting the traits below.
1) Calving ease
2) Replacement females that are good uddered and will milk
3) Structurally sound
4) Long or moderate spined
5) Deep or moderate ribbed and bellied
6) Have some performance or grow
7) Phenotypically pleasing to the eye (somewhat showy, i.e. not heavy fronted)
I realize that this is quite a list and that no bull or cow is perfect. However, some bulls will bring certain traits to the table while others might bring a larger assortments of traits.
I shall start the discussion with a bull that I have used with success and quite like.
SAV Bismark. He brings together most of the traits that I have listed above.
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