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Bieber Red Angus Spring Catalog 2013
40
Preparation key for successful purchases
By Bob Weaber, Ph.D., Cow-calf Extension
Specialist, Kansas State University
As the winter and spring bull-buying season
approach, seedstock purchasers should do their
home work to help ensure the bull(s) they purchase
this year meet their needs. Preparedness is the key
to making an informed purchase. Before you crack
open the sale catalogs of seedstock suppliers, there
are few resources and skills you should possess.
First
, make sure you understand the use of
Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) and selec-
tion indexes. While EPDs are not the only selection
information you should consider, EPDs are the most
effective tools available to describe the genetic dif-
ferences between animals within and across herds.
EPDs are much more effective genetic predictors
than actual or adjusted performance records. If an
EPD is available for a trait it should be used instead
of an animal’s own performance record for that
trait. The EPD removes age and environmental
effects that can bias a decision based on actual or
adjusted performance records. Use Calving Ease
(CE or CED) EPD, rather than birth weight (BW)
EPD, if it’s available to select bulls that minimize
calving difficulty. CE EPD calculations include BW
data and other sources of information that affect
dystocia.
Not all EPDs are the same, so make sure you
know the appropriate information for the breed of
cattle you are purchasing. For a useful reference
on EPDs and other genetic topics see the Beef Sire
Selection Manual (
-
ers/sire.html) Obtain the breed average EPDs and
a percentile rank table available from the most
current genetic evaluation for the breed of
interest. Percentile rank tables can be found on
most breed association websites. These tools
will enable you to compare the relative genet-
ic merit of individual animals to other animals
in the breed.
Second
, make sure you know what traits
you would like to improve in your herd? What
breed(s) fit in your mating system? If you are
using a crossbreeding system make sure the
breed you selected fits your objectives. Other
factors to consider are: keeping replacement
heifers, endpoints for progeny marketing
(weaning, back-grounded or in the beef).
Assessment of these factors will help point
you to the best breed for your needs and the
combinations of maternal/growth/carcass traits that
best fit your operation and environment. Be sure to
apply selection to traits that have direct economic
importance in your production system.
Third
, set a realistic budget for bull purchases.
Like most things in life, price is driven by quality.
Evaluation of a seedstock supplier’s prior year sale
averages will give you an idea of what to expect in
terms of purchase costs. That said, prices over the
last 12 months indicate that seedstock purchases
are substantially more expensive, some as much as
$500 more, than in previous years. The increased
bull cost is largely driven by increased develop-
ment costs incurred by seedstock producers. The
added purchase cost makes it even more important
to make a well thought out decision.
Fourth
, get to know your seedstock supplier
and make sure he/she knows you and your opera-
tional goals. Seek out recommendations from your
supplier well in advance of the sale. Once you
receive the sale catalog make a short list of bulls
(6-12 head) that fit your specifications. Arrive at the
sale site early to inspect the bulls on your short list.
Shorten this list of candidates based on conforma-
tion and updated data to identify your purchase
candidates. Keep the sale order in mind. Stay
focused on the bulls you selected earlier. Sticking
to your plan will avoid impulse purchases. Re-
member: Failure to plan is planning to fail. Please
contact your extension livestock specialist or me if
you need help finding resources to aid in your sire
selection activities.
