Patrick Wall

Choosing the best bull for your operation and environment

Genetic improvement looks different on different operations, and the surest way to achieve it is to develop a breeding plan and understand your environment before choosing a bull.

February 21, 2024

Patrick Wall and Randie Culbertson

When selecting a bull, you want a bull who will add value to your operation, but the bull and his progeny must also be able to survive and thrive in the environment within your fences. So how do you choose the right bull?

What are indexes, and when should you use them?

When selecting breeding stock, producers often ignore information such as $ Index value simply because they don’t understand the data. When used in concert with EPDs, these indexes can help determine different animals’ true reproductive value.

February 7, 2023

Patrick Wall and Randie Culbertson

In bull selection, indexes and EPDs are often used as an either/or type of question: “Do I use indexes when I select bulls, or do I stick with EPDs because our operation focuses on _____?” Without a doubt, the answer is always: “Use both.”

Calving book columns that have real value

January 24, 2019

Patrick Wall

Our natural tendency when filling columns in a calving book is to start with the calf. Like kids in school, their performance is a direct reflection of their parents.

Patrick Wall

ARTICLES

Choosing the best bull for your operation and environment

What are indexes, and when should you use them?

Calving book columns that have real value

West: The value of records

South Central: Heifer development from weaning to breeding

Southeast: BCS – one of the best tools you have

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