yearling weight | Ag Proud

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?

Genetic improvement driven by distinct factors

Improving a cow herd’s genetics can happen from many different points of origin and emphasize even more tactics. Fortunately, a few factors top the list when looking for guidance on these important decisions.

December 14, 2023

Bruce Derksen

“Genetic improvement” is a term with far-reaching implications, uniquely and individually defined by those in the beef industry.

Consequences of overconditioning beef bulls

Feeding high-energy diets to young bulls right up to the point of breeding season can have a negative effect on breeding ability, semen quality and embryo development.

November 15, 2023

Pedro Fontes

Sire overconditioning is a prevalent issue in the beef industry. While “fat sells” when it comes to selling bulls, research has shown that excessive conditioning can negatively affect semen quality.

Crossbreeding: The beef industry’s most underutilized tool

Even with a proven track record of success, crossbreeding plans are not as readily implemented on U.S. ranches as you might think. Here’s a quick refresher on how and why it can improve your operation.

November 9, 2023

Troy Rowan

Crossbreeding isn’t a new technology. We’ve known about it and have been doing it for ages. Yet, crossbreeding remains a severely underutilized tool industrywide, with less than 50% of commercial operations using it meaningfully.