I am really looking forward to seeing this bull at the Iowa beef Expo. I am not bull shopping right now, but I think this is the type of Shorthorn bull that we all need to be trying to produce in mass numbers if we are ever going to make major steps in market share.I have been looking for a red polled light birth weight bull that still offered some good performance along with soundness and eye appeal and I think I got one from another SP member Joe Bales in Tennessee. This bull is at Hawkeye Breeders now, so I hope some of you can stop in to see him.
I do not want to make light of this birth weight issue in the Shorthorn breed, but I do believe it has been blown out of proportion somewhat.In my herd,which I think is a typical herd in size, management and breeding, we only touch a very few calves at birth. Most of the ones I have to help are malpresentations and the occasional heifer who does not try hard enough or is just taking too long. In the past 8 years we have sold 154 bulls with over 95% of these going to commercial producers. Over half our bulls sell to repeat buyers and I have buyers who have purchased 14 bulls from us in the past decade. We have not had one complaint about calving issues since I started to band every bull calf with a BW over 110 lb. I make sure every potential customer has the data when they walk in the bull pen, and I make sure I tell them which bulls I think are safe for use on heifers. Yes, we do have to knock the top end of our birth weights off and be very vigilant about castrating big BW bulls. I think we need to be talking a little more about calving ease bulls rather than just low birth weight bulls. As I have mentioned on here before, we can certainly make these cattle lighter at birth if we select bulls that will sire calves that are 1-2 inches shorter in body length. I don't think that solves any calving issues or any issues in breed acceptance. People who say they can't find a low birth weight bull that offers calving ease along with some performance and style, simply are not looking hard enough. There aren't as many as there should be, but there certainly are some excellent ones out there. By your pictures, it appears you have a good one here, and I would suggest that every person who has whined about not being able to find a good Shorthorn bull that had a low birth weight, had better be in the seats at this sale, or on the phone, or on the internet and try to buy your bull. I sincerely hope aj and his partners are able to get this bull bought for $20003. If they do, I will be the first to applaud them and to congratulate them. I may even order some semen from him.... in fact I will be bold enough to tell aj right now that I would order 30 straws right now. There aj... I have supplied you with your first $1000 to get this bull bought.
I hear all the time especially from smaller breeders, that they can't afford to buy a good herd bull. I would suggest that when a bull like this appears, that they can't afford not to be trying to buy him. A bull like this could be partnered quite easily between two families. I have owned several bulls in partnerships and they have worked very well. Study your lessons here folks... it is time to put your money where your mouth is! Even though I have not seen this bull in person yet, I am certain I will not be disappointed when I do ! I want to congratulate you for producing a good bull like this. I wish you the best of luck in the sale, and I really hope you get the premium you deserve for such a premium product.