Should you use a proven Sire or a New, young bull?

It takes several years for a bull to demonstrate how he will develop and mature.  It’s even longer to see whether they can pass desirable traits to the next generation.  To be a “proven” Sire, a bull should have produced one or two calf crops that demonstrate his ability to sire quality traits.  Even then, it might take a few years to adequately evaluate his offspring.

By the time all of that takes place, a bull could be “old news”, and your program might not be on the cutting edge of the Longhorn industry.  Still, using a proven Sire gives assurance that your herd will move forward with great genetics that result in the kind of cattle you want in your pasture.

OR…

You could choose a yet unproven bull.  The obvious disadvantage is that you have no real idea if he will produce the kind of calves you hope and dream for.  The advantage is that you could find yourself with “added value” cattle if you have chosen the next great herd sire.  You could be on the cutting edge of the industry by being one of the first to offer breeding stock from the newest and best genetics.  It is risky, but could pay off big.

It is a decision that keeps Longhorn junkies up at night.

 You can study pedigrees until you are blue in the face.  You can improve your herd, slow and steady or try to jump ahead with something new and  untested.  At the end of the day, your decision should be based on building the kind of herd that makes you happy.

If you like your cattle, chances are that someone else will too.

***Gordon Howie is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media***

“It’s not about right or left, it’s about Right or Wrong.”

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