REFERENCE SIRES
Thoughs about Calving Ease:
REFERENCE SIRES
Thoughs about Calving Ease:
Angus bulls have long been known for their paramount calving ease. If you are breeding heifers, Angus is the go-to breed of choice. But what about the so-called“ big” birth weight Angus bulls – where do they fit in? The vast majority of mature cows calve unassisted – it is rare for a mature cow to need assistance, except for abnormal deliveries( backwards, breech, twins, etc.). Data reported to the AAA shows that 99 % of Angus cows, second calf or beyond, calve unassisted and only 1 % need some type of assistance( abnormal deliveries excluded from this data). Back to the question at hand: where do the“ big” birth weight Angus bulls fit in? Example: If you have a bull with a Birth EPD of + 5, he would be 3.2 pounds heavier than the average( breed average BW EPD 1.8)( 5-1.8 = 3.2 pounds difference). However, his superior growth EPDs mean he will wean bigger calves and put way more money in your pocket than the average Angus bull!
The moral of the story: If you are breeding mature cows to an Angus bull, do not make birth weight be your focus.
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Snake River Valley Genetics Bull Sale