Okotoks said:
trevorgreycattleco said:
Im curious what the text book says that they teach one in college? What is the preferred type. I like the bull calf and I know I like mr reeds cattle. Im just curious as to what is deemed "proper"? shep and shorthorn, this is a question for all you livestock judging folks I guess. Pop quiz if you will.
It should be a question for judges but the irony is that in almost every species there are judges that really can't apply what they see in the ring to what works in the pasture. I'd rather get advise on this from JIT, R.N Reed, aandt etc. In showing types and fads tend to trend, remember the 80' s when fins were put on the tail head to emphasize height and to give the appearance of a high tail head.
I would agree with this... to expand on what we're 'taught'.
you should be able to make a string straight like from the top of the poll, all the way to the tailhead, it should have some 'swoop' to it, like a jumprope, but not as much as many showy type animals exhibit.
Personally, the pic of the red bull, from RN reed... is pretty danged close to my ideal... I see nothing wrong with that, even if in a showring.
justintime said:
sheps & shorthorns said:
justintime said:
Chandler said:
coyote said:
Muridale Briggs 25W was one of the bulls we used on our heifers last year. 38Y is one of his calves out of a Buster 2nd 76P daughter, he had a 80lbs BW.
Nice calf! I have a JSF Jazz Star 73U bull calf with a similar tail set. I personally prefer it to be more level. My question is, is there a general consensus as far as a 'correct' tail set as far as functionality or is it purely an aesthetical preference?
Personally, I don't think this tail set is anything to worry about. I am suspecting that part of what this picture is showing is just how he was standing when the picture was taken. Personally, I would far rather see a tail set like this, than a tail head that is set down low almost between the pin bones. I think a bull with this kind of tail setting will sire daughters with good slope to their pelvic region which will lead to cows that calve with problems on a consistent basis.
so would you prefer cranking calves out of cows with a super high tailset- which is a result of being to narrow through the pins-- or one with a sloppy ass- and incorrect pelvic slope? Does it matter, you're still pulling their calves.
IMO, the bull in question here of coyote's does not have a high tail head. When it comes to having calving problems, I would far rather have a female with a tail head like this bull rather than a tail head that is crammed down with little space between her tailhead and her pin bones. You also need to have the pins lower than the hook bones, similar to what most earred cattle have if you want to have true calving ease. If people keep selectin for these females with the wrong shape to their rumps and tail heads, we will still be discussing calving problems 2 decades from now, and we will be trying to find bulls that produce 45 lb calves. Calving ease is as much about proper shape of the female and in particular, her reproductive tract, as it is birth weight of the calf ( within reason of course). I am not saying that a real high tail head is right either. Every trait needs to be considered in optimum amounts and not extremes.
wouldn't you add shape of calf, head, bone, etc... to the list as being just as important as pelvic.?
