be date on his progeny. Te absolute minimum that should be required is the bull’s actual birth weight, adjusted weaning weight (adjusted to 205 days), and adjusted yearling weight (adjusted to 365 days). Other measurements which are rapid- ly gaining popularity and acceptance within the commercial sector are scrotal circumference, libido testing pelvic mea- surements (on both bulls and heifers), hip height, ultrasound readings, calving ease scores (primarily on a bull’s progeny out of first calf heifers, this would not be a great concern for Longhorn breeders, but may be for the synthetics), and of course Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs), at least not in this area. Tere is also a strong push within breeds with EPDs to collect more carcass data, so as to develop carcass EPDs. If thinking of marketing bulls now or in the future, one
of forage. With many breeds, the Missouri Frame Score, and show ring wins by bulls with extreme frame (a lot of daylight under them) has led to post-legged and straight shouldered bulls. Tese are terrible flaws as the bull will not travel well, will have trouble mounting cows, and will break down at an early age. In the Longhorn breed, post-leggedness does not seem to be a problem, however, a lack of frame is. Hip height is a good measure of frame. Skeletal size is a highly heritable trait (0.6), so can be worked on with great success. Certainly do not go aſter the extreme 7+ Chianina looking frame, but 4+ to mid-6 frame types are attainable and should be sought aſter. Small frames produce light weights. Muscling or ad- equate amount thereof, is another important quality in a breeding bull. Muscling is a trait that should be improved in the Longhorn breed. Animal breeding specialists will agree this is a trait that can most easily be improved through sire selection. Femininity comes from the female; masculinity (muscle) comes from the male. As with frame scores, the ex- treme double muscled Piedmontese looking cattle must be avoided. Te breed does, none-the-less have some very nice- ly muscled bulls presently available for A.I. service. Tere are only a few herd sires, and very few cleanup bulls of adequate frame and muscle content. Body capacity falls somewhat in with frame and struc-
ture, but does not actually deserve its own category. Once again, avoid the extremes of pot-bellied, flat-ribbed bulls on the low end to tight wound, shallow ribbed, wasp gutted cattle on the other end. Te bull must have adequate body capacity, spring of rib, and substantial bone. His daughters should have long feminine necks, narrow dainty heads, good spring of rib, an abundance of capacity in the flank area, and long udder attachment. All of the above: fertility, libido, structural correctness,
frame, muscling, and body capacity take for granted the bull has the most important characteristic of them all…PER- FORMANCE DATA!! Performance data is an absolute must when considering a breeding bull, the best of which would
68 | TEXAS LONGHORN JOURNAL | HERD SIRE EDITION
must consider recording all of a good portion of the perfor- mance characteristics mentioned here. Remember, a seed- stock producer is raising a value added product, the only thing that makes the product more valuable than a commer- cial animal is recorded predictability. Just as pedigrees are re- corded, so should performance be recorded, as it guarantees the customer a truly value added product. It gives a breeder a concrete means by which to select and cull animals. Look at it simplistically; if buying a new truck and there were two choices that were the same year, make, and model; one was a “plain Jane,” and the other had “all of the bells and whistles.” Which would provide more bang for the $$$? Remember, in bull selection owner properties, present
cow herd, the long-term goals, and completion time table for the ranch, are the selection parameters. Do not go out in search of the “perfect bull.” He does not exist. Go aſter the bull or bulls who most closely fulfill the herd’s needs with- in personal budget constraints. Also $1,000 worth of semen from a proven performer is a much wiser investment than $1,000 worth of unproven bull on the hoof. Although an A.I. program takes some sound planning, and dedication, with today’s technology it is not out of reach of anyone, or any ranch. Bull selection involves not only a tremendous invest- ment, but also has a tremendous impact on the future of a herd. Do some planning prior to the selection, and do not buy on pedigree alone. Be practical, be particular, and follow your plan.
Bear Davidson photo
David Mills photo
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