Plan to AI heifer, any experience with I-80, Breathe Easy or OCC Homer?

[Sambosu]

I have an I Am Legend show heifer that my son shows.  In an effort to prevent the heifer from possibly being injured by a bull, I plan to AI her instead of letting her out with one of our bulls.  My goal is to just have a healthy calf on the ground next fall and a healthy cow able to be bred back a few months later.  I talked to Trausch Farms and they recommended Breathe Easy (TH and PH free).  Lautner Farms recommended I-80 (TH and PH free).  SEK Genetics recommended a bull that is pureblood Angus, OCC Homer (has a -3.7 BW).  If you have used any of these bulls, please let me know if you have had any problems with the/these bulls due to high birthweight or no issues.  Any information on these bulls would be greatly appreciated.

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[CAB]

Here's how I would place them from best CE bull to hardest of the 3: OCC Homer, Breath Easy, & then I-80. JMO. I have been told that the Breath Easy cattle look like they'll go on to make cows. Hearsay only.

 

[ZNT]

Here's how I would place them from best CE bull to hardest of the 3: OCC Homer, Breath Easy, & then I-80. JMO. I have been told that the Breath Easy cattle look like they'll go on to make cows. Hearsay only.

Here is a yearling Breathe Easy out of a Triple X first calf heifer that we have for sale.  The heifer was born unassisted, and has been great since the day I saw her.  I am pretty sure she had a birthweight in the low 60's.  We bred her last week to GVC Hawkeye.  Picture was taken in October when she was 13 months old.  He has been hairing up well since then, and has been cycling great.

 

[Sambosu]

ZNT, thanks for the picture.  CAB thanks for your comments.  Going into this, I-80 was the one I thought was the most risky but it was not based on really any facts.  I also thought OCC Homer would be the least risky but that was just based off of the bull being a pureblood Angus and the -3.7 BW.  Did not have any opinion or feel for Breathe Easy.

 

[Gargan]

I agree with CAB. With her being out of a hw son, I would def go with occ homer. Best of luck to ya.

 

[Mainevent]

I wouldn't use I-80 on a heifer personally, I know there are people that do with great success. But I had a older cow bred to him, she ended up having a 100 pound bull. Not saying it's the bulls fault because I know that the cow has larger calves every year. But just knowing that kind of weary for heifers.

 

[sizzler14]

With her being out of I AM LEgend, there is a good chance that A) she has a chance of throwing a big calf B) She might be tight in her structure. Here is a bull that is just starting to hit the market and from the looks of him and how he is bred,( I know this is a huge statement), but I think he could be the next Northern Improvement on clubby females. P,S I DONT OWN NOR HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BULL. But it does take a lot to get me excited about an angus bull and I love this bull.
http://www.cattlevisions.com/Angus/bigsofty.php

 

[sizzler14]

here is another pic and site for him.
http://www.williemorriscattle.com/sires.html#SOFTY

 

[ROMAX]

I personally would go with the angus deal,based on the fact that your heifer is a crossed up clubby deal,the purebred angus will be more consistant in the birth weight for her, and less likely for a train wreck to occur.jmho.

 

[Gargan]

here is another pic and site for him.
http://www.williemorriscattle.com/sires.html#SOFTY

he is pretty cool looking! thx for sharing

 

[hntwhitetail]

Homer

 

[Sambosu]

Big Softy does look like a bull with a bright future ahead of him.

 

[jbzdad]

Lots of experience with Homer... his will be shaped right to deliver and not large... he is the gold standard for that... but not much chance of a show heifer or steer outa that deal... if you are serious about your goals ... live calf and heifer... go that way

 

[jbzdad]

forgot to say... homer calves are vigorous ... they will be getting up and looking to nurse

 

[rkmn]

Homer.

 

[ploughshare]

My goal is to just have a healthy calf on the ground next fall and a healthy cow able to be bred back a few months later. 

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If that is the case than a Jersey or Long Horn should fit the bill.  Otherwise, I would choose an  Angus bull.  Homer is pretty much guaranteed to throw a small calf, but there are better calving ease Angus bulls.  Since you can AI  yourself I would recommend Barstow Cash, Dameron First Impression (Denver Champ) or Lutton's full brother EXAR Tryon.  All of these bulls have CED and BW epds and actual birth weights that are heifer acceptable for even Angus heifers, however, they are not as proven as Homer.  Great decision to go with a calving ease bull the first time around.  Your heifer has enough to learn without the complications of dystocia.