|
|
Post by ebook on Sept 27, 2007 21:14:16 GMT -5
I guess I'll try to get the ball rolling over here. I'm in the process of looking for a herd sire for our small group of cows that will be ready to breed next summer or so. I was wondering what some of the qualities you look for in a bull whether it is a calf or an older bull. What sort of confirmation do you look for? Do you look for certain characteristics? Certain bloodlines? I guess any information that you think would be helpful would be great. If you would like to get really detailed maybe pictures of good attributes could show up  Ethan Book |
|
|
|
Post by Olga on Sept 27, 2007 23:03:02 GMT -5
When I got into Dexters, my bull selection was totally up to the breeder that I bought from - he insisted on selling me a breeding pair. I had a pool of yearling bulls and heifers to choose from, but it was the breeders comments that decided "which". Speaking from only 4 years experience, this is what I would do if I were looking for a new herd bull: - I wouldn't buy a young calf; a sexually mature (around 12 month old) Dexter has more to judge him by.
- I would find a bull from a breeder:
- with a large number of animals
- whose animals exhibit consistency
- whose animals have the characteristics I'm looking for
I haven't classified my animals, and in general there aren't that many Dexters that have a classification score. But generally, you look for a herd sire that's going to "fix" the faults of your cows in his offspring. I don't know of anybody who has perfect cows, but we should all strive for a perfect bull. That way the offspring is always an improvement. Now what is a perfect bull? That each of us will have to figure out for himself. But generally, a herd bull should be structurally correct (equals longevity) with very good fertility and good temperament. |
|
|
|
Post by ebook on Sept 28, 2007 11:24:31 GMT -5
Olga, thanks for the tips and information. I checked out your bull on your website. Are you pleased with his overall look and the calves that he throws?
|
|
|
|
Post by Olga on Sept 28, 2007 12:30:39 GMT -5
My bull has some faults, like the toe-out on the front, and a bit of high tail set, and he is lacking muscle in the rear-end, and too much loose skin in the brisket. Some would also call it a fault that he is a carrier of chondro. I don't. His plus is the overall look. When you see him in the field - he looks impressive. All male. With a good sized breeding hump, that developed early on. With what our vet told us "the largest set of testicles he's ever seen". Now, that's not a scientific measurement, and the vet probably just didn't expect to see such impressive size on a short little bull, but it's a good indication that he has very good fertility. Since I'm into the "dairy" aspect, I look at the suspension of the scrotum - and it's nice and tight, rather simmetrical. The penis is well attached as well, and I haven't seen ambillical hernias in the calves. His muscling is sufficient overall. And so far he's thrown some pretty heiffer calves. He was also bred to a couple of Jerseys and a Salers/Angus cross cow, and the resulting offspring looks great. The Dexter-beef cross is very-well muscled but petite, the Jersey/Dexter crosses are beefier and stout. Sam's temperament is very good and it shows in his offspring. I don't think I'll be looking for another bull until this one looses fertility. Seasoned breeders, would you please help us out here with Sam's critique? I'm sure I've missed something.  Sam started to turn toward the lady behind him while I took this picture. He does have a toe-out, but his front leg position in this case is due to movement. |
|
|
|
Post by ebook on Oct 3, 2007 18:29:55 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by fuzzy on Oct 5, 2007 10:51:37 GMT -5
when looking for a herd bull you must evaluate you cow the see where they are lacking. You then try to get a bull which will correct the cows faults. You need a bull which is sound with a long deeep wide body which will put thoes traits into his calves. You want a heave musceling in the rear leg and across the loin area. One of the biggest problems with Dexter bulls there are many out there which lack the musceling in the real leg. Besides being wide in the muscle of the lege it should carry down toward the first joint of the leg. A good way to learn about judging and what to look for in good breeding stock go to your local fair or to the state fair. All cattle are jusged the same so that if you see an Angus being jusdged a Dexter will be judged the same way.
|
|
|
|
Post by gladhour on Oct 8, 2007 11:47:04 GMT -5
Hi, Olga. I had been wanting to be in touch with you! And also to ask you if you could come to the seminar at my place tomorrow. I could find you a tent to sleep in if you wanted to stay overnight, etc. As to the thread, I really want to recommend that you readers come up to the seminar (bull sale in morning) tomorrow in north Missouri. At the bull sale, you will probably see more Dexter bulls in one place "in their working clothes" and fed on grass so that you can transfer their look to your own pasture circumstance than anywhere else for many years to come. There are nearly 20 bulls for sale and several additional ones, so you can feast your eyes (I have ages from a few months to 10 years). More importantly, the afternoon seminar conductors are analysts who look at bovines especially FOR the matching that is meant to make better offspring and counteract faults. They are not classifiers but analysts. aAa seems to be most popular in dairy (probably because AI is so commonly used, so getting a matching bull is easier), and in Europe as well as here. The three analysts coming tomorrow are driving from Madison, WI, and it is a REAL opportunity to hear them work as they do not commonly have more than one on a farm visit at a time. PLEASE COME! Call me for directions (leave your number as this takes msgs) at 660-247-1211. To read more about aAa, go to www.aAa123456.com and see if you think it is a helpful program. I do, and am even more excited about having THREE analysts to "bat back and forth" on aspects that might be fine distinctions. (I rarely read boards, but when I saw this on ADCA site, I made a quick visit. Please consider coming to the seminar--it's only $12 per person and I feel sure that you will find it very informative. And I certainly think this has the capability of being of service to our breed for more members to become acquainted with this and be able train their eyes thru the lenses of the analysts.) ....... Edit in 2015: Well, the seminar happened all those years ago, and it was two analysts instead of three, but was a very worthwhile and interesting experience. aAa has a new website now--www.aaaweeks.com . On it are more resources than before, including a video by an analyst in the southern hemisphere. The video is an excellent help, I think. Hope you, Olga, are doing well. Missed you at the AGM. |
|
|
|
Post by GrandmasDexters on Oct 8, 2007 18:48:39 GMT -5
Hi Gladhour,
I also posted it here and about everywhere, I hope you have tons and tons of guests!
Thanks
Dan
|
|
|
|
Post by Olga on Oct 10, 2007 12:25:15 GMT -5
Sorry i didn't make it. I finally started subbing - at the school here in Dover. I was at work all day Tuesday, half day today. Gotta make chili for 30 - for the weekly dinner at church, so it's a blessing I have time.
|
|
|
|
Post by copperhead on Mar 10, 2008 15:09:16 GMT -5
While I was looking for my bull I found out that it helps to see pictures of the sire and dam, look up pedigrees, and talk to other people on this board. Everyone I talked to really helped me deceide on what bull. I know that I wanted different from what I have, whick is milk type, horned and dun, so I found a really beefy,polled and black to put with them. I do look for a good straight back, well proportioned head to body, a good squared up rear end,and really good feet. Now, I just have to wait till next spring and them I can tell you if I made a good choice.
P.J.
|
|
|
|
Post by gardalmun on Jun 20, 2008 9:00:58 GMT -5
Not really sure what you can say too that.  Gary |
|
|
|
Post by gene on Jun 20, 2008 15:30:07 GMT -5
you should be careful. talking like that can get you banned from this site.
really, i would have never said that to anyone!!!!
gene
|
|
|
|
Post by liz on Jul 1, 2008 19:23:57 GMT -5
Me neither! But back to the thread! If you have the chance to see daughters, take a look and as 'fuzzy' said look at your cow and evaluate what she needs to improve and see if it has been done in the daughters. If you are buying an unproven bull, evaluating the dam will help, but it still won't guarantee what he will throw..... it will give an idea though. L
|
|
|
|
Post by gardalmun on Jul 2, 2008 23:00:33 GMT -5
Me neither. Some one posts a comment about getting that guy to stop posting gibberish and I'm going to get banned from the site for my comment.
I would have never said that to anyone.
No need to ban me from the site. Thanks
But back to the thread.
|
|
