Well, now that I have your attention, I just want some help picking out bulls.
Sorry, I seem to just gravitate back to asking questions! Well, most of you read that I am breeding to Shorthorn, Hereford, and Angus bulls for the most part. However, on of the "Continental" cattle breeds that seems to look good is the Gelvieh. Now, I know there's more variations in breeds than between them. So I want some ideas on bulls that meet my criteria:
EFFICIENCY!!! Always very important, particularly in our perpetual drought that seems to be going on. Or, $EN in the Angus breed. For example, a bull like OCC Legend 616L looks like a good choice because he has a +31 $EN, and he produces some awesome all around calves. A $EN of 10 or above is excellent, though.
Calving Ease: I want easy calving bulls. PROVEN easy calvers. Weight isn't so much as important and wether or not the calf comes easy.
Volume/Thickness: I absolutely need a bull that throws LOTS of volume. I need some guts and thickness in my calves.
Soundness: Pretty important, but mainly, I don't want a cripple. I can deal with some minor structural imperfections as long as it doesn't affect overall soundness.
Growth: Last, and also least. I am breeding maternal cattle, but some growth potential would be handy to have for steer calves.
OK, I know you all are about wore out of these questions, but any Shorthorn bulls, Herefords, or Gelbvieh would be great. Angus I have quite a bit more experience with, so that's not as important as these other breeds I am new to. Herf bulls could be either horned or polled.
Really do 'preciate you folks takin' time to read and share your knowledge.
EFFICIENCY!!! Always very important, particularly in our perpetual drought that seems to be going on. Or, $EN in the Angus breed. For example, a bull like OCC Legend 616L looks like a good choice because he has a +31 $EN, and he produces some awesome all around calves. A $EN of 10 or above is excellent, though.
Calving Ease: I want easy calving bulls. PROVEN easy calvers. Weight isn't so much as important and wether or not the calf comes easy.
Volume/Thickness: I absolutely need a bull that throws LOTS of volume. I need some guts and thickness in my calves.
Soundness: Pretty important, but mainly, I don't want a cripple. I can deal with some minor structural imperfections as long as it doesn't affect overall soundness.
Growth: Last, and also least. I am breeding maternal cattle, but some growth potential would be handy to have for steer calves.
OK, I know you all are about wore out of these questions, but any Shorthorn bulls, Herefords, or Gelbvieh would be great. Angus I have quite a bit more experience with, so that's not as important as these other breeds I am new to. Herf bulls could be either horned or polled.
Really do 'preciate you folks takin' time to read and share your knowledge.