Sire Selection

markers are all available to use for bull-buying decision. Consider this example of using EPDs to select two bulls:

These EPDs tell us that, when bred to an average group cows, Bull A will wean calves that are 20 pounds heavier than Bull B, and both will have the same average birth weight. If we use these bulls on an average of 40 cows over 4 years and wean 95 % of the calves, we will expect Bull A to wean 3040 more

pounds of calf. At $ 2.25 per pound, that is $ 6840 more value over the life of the bull. Considering the return on investment the $ 2000 bull actually costs $ 4800 more to own than the $ 4000 bull when you consider the value of the calves. Actually, consider bulls are only“ rented.” For the initial investment cost of $ 4000 for a bull that is later sold for $ 2500 when he is marketed after just 4 years of service, the cost to breed each cow in the herd for the 4 years just considering the purchase price is only $ 9.38 per cow.

While making the decision to buy a bull, set the goals for the herd, identify bulls with the genetic potential to reach those goals, disregard any bull without known genetic information, then select a bull based on the breed, phenotype, or other criteria you require. It will truly be the most important investment you make for the cow herd. I

BEUS DOUBLE DRIBBLE 104D SIRE: CONNEALY CONSENSUS 7229 • MGS: EXLR NEW GENERATION 071M CED 8 • BW 1.6 • WW 66 • YW 104 • MB 0.62 • $ MTI 72

BEUS DARK AGES 193D SIRE: KG SOLUTION 0018 • MGS: MAGS Y-AXIS CED 20 • BW-4.3 • WW 64 • YW 113 • MB 0.55 • $ MTI 70

sires rePresented: Cole arChiteCt, Cole Count doWn, mags anChor, mags Y-axis.

ContaCt us for more information and a sale Catalog. Brad Beus • PasCo, Wa • 509.727.2082 • BeusCattle @ gmail. Com

46 | FEBRUARY 2018