coyote
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2007
- Messages
- 499
The bulls head I think is very important when selecting a herd bull. I sure have noticed there are a lot of ugly bull heads around. I know it is tough to get all the boxes ticked when selecting a bull. I have heard that some cattleman only look at the head of a bull when selecting their next herdsire. I don't how they make out with their bulls but it is a good story.
I copied this from the NSW Government web page on Bull soundness - structural
The Head
The head should show reasonable length and width yet not be too large in proportion to the body. A head that is too big could potentially increase calving problems.
The eyes
Some breeds are very susceptible to eye cancer. Eye cancer is a serious condition leading to wastage in cattle and possible condemnation of the carcase. Susceptibility to it is a heritable trait, and while several factors contribute to its onset, exposure of the eye to sunlight plays a major part.
The eyes should be well set into the head to reduce this exposure. There should be a strong forehead over the eye, providing protection from sunlight (hooding). Eyes that bulge out from the head should be avoided. Pigment around the eye will also assist in reducing eyelid cancer in the white-faced breeds.
The muzzle
The muzzle should be wide for efficient grazing. The teeth on the lower jaw should meet squarely with the upper pad. Bulls with overshot jaws (lower jaw protruding) and undershot jaws may have difficulty grazing on pasture, especially when conditions get tough.
I copied this from the NSW Government web page on Bull soundness - structural
The Head
The head should show reasonable length and width yet not be too large in proportion to the body. A head that is too big could potentially increase calving problems.
The eyes
Some breeds are very susceptible to eye cancer. Eye cancer is a serious condition leading to wastage in cattle and possible condemnation of the carcase. Susceptibility to it is a heritable trait, and while several factors contribute to its onset, exposure of the eye to sunlight plays a major part.
The eyes should be well set into the head to reduce this exposure. There should be a strong forehead over the eye, providing protection from sunlight (hooding). Eyes that bulge out from the head should be avoided. Pigment around the eye will also assist in reducing eyelid cancer in the white-faced breeds.
The muzzle
The muzzle should be wide for efficient grazing. The teeth on the lower jaw should meet squarely with the upper pad. Bulls with overshot jaws (lower jaw protruding) and undershot jaws may have difficulty grazing on pasture, especially when conditions get tough.