Sire Selection
and higher weaning weights which
was further facilitated by the advent
of EPDs. We did get higher weaning
weights because we could always
find a bull with a little more growth.
We were making terminal mating’s.
The problem was that we weren’t
doing terminal marketing. We were
keeping those heifer calves as
replacement heifers. So, cow size
and milk production kept increasing.
And stocking rate was decreasing
or purchased feed was increasing. buy replacement cows, make terminal
mating’s and sell all of the calves.
I see no problem with ranchers deciding
to use only terminal mating’s if they sell
all of their calves—steers and heifers. In
fact, I think many producers would be
well advised to do exactly that. It is easy
to find good bulls for terminal mating’s.
Current EPDs lend themselves well to
selection for growth and carcass traits. I
know a good number of breeders who The cows are just cows—nothing
special. But the calves have a great
potential for growth and carcass
performance. They are nicely
profitable. What if the cows were
something special—coming from
well-developed maternal herds?
Now, where are the bulls for the
maternal breeders who are making their
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