Australian Cattle for International Conditions
Bull recommendations
We are thinking about trying to import semen from Australia back to the UK and are looking for advice on a bull. Possibly from 2 different bulls to try to bring our cows together in type?
We are looking for a bull which will put muscle (more backend) on to our cows and high(ish) growth rates. Must be structurally sound and have good feet. Also we don't want to lose the length of our current females. Our females are a bit of a mix - some are beefier, some are on the sleek / leaner side and which milk particularly well.
Our best success so far has been with a homegrown bull, a son of Keighlians Wensleydale. On that basis we are fairly confident that our feminine cows can keep their positives using a heavierweight bull.
We have dun and pale Murray Greys so colour isn't really an issue - although it seems the UK often prefer the paler.
Thanks.
We are looking for a bull which will put muscle (more backend) on to our cows and high(ish) growth rates. Must be structurally sound and have good feet. Also we don't want to lose the length of our current females. Our females are a bit of a mix - some are beefier, some are on the sleek / leaner side and which milk particularly well.
Our best success so far has been with a homegrown bull, a son of Keighlians Wensleydale. On that basis we are fairly confident that our feminine cows can keep their positives using a heavierweight bull.
We have dun and pale Murray Greys so colour isn't really an issue - although it seems the UK often prefer the paler.
Thanks.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kate James on -
Hi Terry,
The bull that had the greatest impact on our herd was Lindsay Starbright s117. He was so consistent in putting an appealing buttshape and overall muscling that we are now using 2 of his sons to continue this focus. The commercial buyers love these bulls because they can see shape and muscle seams and yet we are also keeping females that are well structured and breeding on in the herd. We intend collecting Wallawong Quarterback for export orders early next year so please get in touch if this is of interest. See his performance EBVs and photo.
Based on your descriptions I'm sure he can add some excellent traits you are seeking
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Permalink Reply by Rosemary Kent on -
Hi Terry
It's great you are looking to import semen into the UK, I'm secretary for the UK society, we are always pleased to have new bulls to increase our bloodlines, please do get in touch I will send you our yearbook, we are getting a cluster of breeders in the north, would be good to put them in touch with you.
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by kay lord on -
Hi Terry,
Difficult to give you a great reply without knowing what your production objectives are. so I will give you some ideas from our herd experience. We are a 200 cow commercial herd on the Central Tablelands in NSW where winters are cold. We aim to turn off our stock at around 12 mths weighing 350-400kgs lwght. We are looking for fast growing, early maturing cattle with excellent carcase quality, finished on grass, as that is where the premium price is. Our agent calls them "little plums".
Our observation is that the large framed bulls do not meet these objectives as the progeny does not finish in this time frame and the heifers tend to be leaner than desired.
We concentrate on cows with medium frames and the ability to maintain a fat score around 3. Then we look for medium bulls with extra good carcase and fast growth. Ideally a bull will maintain a good shape right through his growth, no rangy teenage look.
There is now some interesting research here to show that leaner cows are less fertile especially when nutrition is lower. That has been the advice we have received from the old hands. Contact robert.herd@industry.nsw.gov.au. Important for us as we get around 98% conception rates and don't want to jeopardise this.
A final thought, we find the older MG genetics from before the romance with "big frames" are a good source and we look for a repeat of one of the good prepotent sires on each side of the pedigree if possible.
Regards, Kay Lord.
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