1. Identify herd goals – Herd goals serve as the foundation for sire selection and provide guidance as to traits with the most relevance. Defining the production and marketing system, along with management strategies and environment, are key factors that warrant consideration:

• Will the bull be used on heifers, mature cows, or both?
• Will replacement females be retained in the herd?
• How will the calf crop be marketed – at weaning, when backgrounded, for retained ownership or to sell females?
• What are the labor and management resources available?
• What are the feed resources and environmental conditions of the operation?

2. Assess herd strengths and weaknesses – Fundamental records are necessary to identify herd strengths and weaknesses. Basic performance parameters such as calving percentage, weaning percentage, weaning weights, sale weights, carcass merit, feed usage, etc. are necessary to serve as the basis for assessing areas of strength and those needing attention.

3. Establish selection priorities – Concentrate on those factors that stand to have the largest impact on profitability. Remember that income is derived from performance (sale weight, percent of calf crop weaned, carcass merit). Performance is a function of both genetics and environment/management. Superior genetics can be negated by poor management, which emphasizes the importance of separating the impact of management (nutrition, health program) from that of genetics when specific priorities for the herd are established. Considering both the genetic and management influences on various traits is important. Focus on the handful of priority traits rather than attempting to change many traits simultaneously. Establishing the few traits to focus on is the key factor.

4. Utilize selection tools – Once selection priorities have been established through close examination of herd goals and current status, a number of useful tools are at the disposal of beef producers to assist in making genetic improvement. Genetic differences across breeds have been well established, and utilization of different breeds in a complementary fashion through structured crossbreeding plans provides the opportunity for improvement in multiple traits. Most importantly, heterosis attained through crossbreeding has been shown to have significant favorable impacts on traits such as reproductive efficiency and cow longevity, which are critical for herd profitability. The limited ability to select for reproductive traits in the form of expected progeny differences (EPDs) further emphasizes the importance of capturing the value of heterosis. EPDs are available for many traits of economic importance. The introduction of economic indexes that combine several related traits and their economic values into one EPD are available to assist with simultaneous improvement in multiple traits, which impact areas such as carcass merit and post-weaning profit. Again, with the large number of EPD tools available, the critical step is to determine the EPDs that are most important and establish benchmarks relative to each.

5. Establish benchmarks – Several tools can be utilized to assist in the determination of EPD specifications. EPD values for current and past sires can be used as benchmarks. With these benchmarks, EPD specifications can be set to reflect the desired increase or moderation in performance for a particular trait. As an example, establishing a benchmark for milk EPD can be determined through the relationship between previous sires’ genetics for milk and the performance of his daughters in the herd.

6. Find source – With the above steps defined, we can now begin to look at individual bulls. There are many sources of bulls that warrant consideration – production sales, test stations, and private treaty sales. Of critical importance is that the bull be from a reputable source that will stand behind his or her product. It may be necessary to look at several sources in order to find the correct bull.

7. Do your homework – The first step to doing so is to evaluate the sale catalog, performance pedigree and data. By examination of the bull’s performance record, determine which bulls meet the EPD and other specifications that have been established (and likewise eliminate those that do not meet the specifications). Be prepared to make trade-offs, as the perfect record may not be attainable. Do not be surprised or alarmed when the bulls you have highlighted appear scattered throughout the sale order. Remember to stick to the selection criteria and qualifications/specifications that have been established. All this can and should be accomplished prior to departing for any sale.

8. Take a look – Once the list has been narrowed to only bulls that meet the criteria, these bulls can be further evaluated and selection refined. Having a list of suitable bulls prior to arrival at the auction or farm will not only save time, but also assist in making sure the right bull for the situation is purchased. Upon narrowing the potential candidates on paper, the bulls can be evaluated for suitability of phenotypic traits and the potential candidate list shortened even further. Not all relevant traits have EPDs (examples include disposition, foot soundness and fleshing ability), and therefore must be evaluated visually.

9. Make a sound investment – For many cow-calf producers, purchasing a new bull is a relatively infrequent occurrence. This emphasizes the importance of selecting the right bull, particularly in single-sire herds. The value of the right bull cannot be underestimated. Investments in good genetics will pay dividends both short and long-term through the influence the bull has on each calf crop as well as his daughters that are retained in the herd.

10. Manage the new bull properly – Of equal importance is the care and management of the newly acquired bull. Proper management and nutrition are essential for the bull to perform satisfactorily during the breeding season. With most new herd sires purchased as yearling bulls, management prior to, during, and after the first breeding season is particularly important. Plan ahead by acquiring a new yearling bull at least 60 to 90 days prior to the breeding season so that ample time is available to allow for adjustment to a new environment, commingling with other bulls and getting the bull in proper breeding body condition. 

This article originally appeared in the Virginia Tech Beef Extension and Education website.