redrobin
VG89
Registered: 04-2008
Posts: 143
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Your own bull
Just wondering what policy people use regarding their own stock bull (either homebred or purchased ) do you tend just to use him on lower end cows, or problem breeders or maybe to run with a bunch of heifers, or to put it another way would you be confident to put him on some of your very best cows even for a first service, interested to hear your thoughts and experiences as i have reared my own bull this year, first time for probably ten or more years.
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29/7/2008, 20:39
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shadyoak
GP81
Registered: 01-2006
Posts: 19
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Re: Your own bull
i have kept three bulls this so far this and it is the first time (apart from et) that i have looked at my cows and realised that they might be good enough to keep from. I think i will mainly use them on the heifers and problem breeders.
for interest they are -
Fortune x VG88 Donor x VG88 Shotime
Alladin x GP82 Titanic x VG89 Outside
Bolton x VG85 Sam x VG 86 Zircon(Celsius son)
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30/7/2008, 13:44
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Campbeltowncowboy
EX91
Registered: 03-2007
Posts: 238
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Re: Your own bull
I have noticed over the last couple of years that at sales under HUK rules that bull mothers cell counts are not included in sale catalogues,should HUK not be asking for this information to be printed?
I know there are breeders selling bulls who's Dams cell counts would horrify buyers.
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24/12/2011, 21:53
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DMinish
VG88
Registered: 11-2010
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 113
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Re: Your own bull
we nearly always have a young bull here on the farm. Almost always one of our own. He gets used to sweep up the lower end of the heifers and hard breeding cows. In the summer he lives out with the in calf heifers just in case one slips a calf or something daft like that. Last year it was beneficial he caught two heifers that would have remained barren until late on in their suspected pregnancies.
--- If it goes right its line-breeding, If it goes wrong its in-breeding.
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26/12/2011, 11:33
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Stormview
VG88
Registered: 11-2006
Posts: 113
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Re: Your own bull
We've started keeping bulls from our own cows to use at the end of AB for tailing the herd. In addition, we will be sending 2 for collection next month, and using them during AB time. the oldest is 3 now, so his first daughters are now getting pregnant, and he has a second crop on the ground, his transmitting pattern is very consistant regardless of the cows he has covered, and this is why we are collecting him and are prepared to use him with confidence.
Personally I believe most farmers have cows that are bull-dam material, they may not be the cows AI studs want with the high indexes and fancy sire stacks, but their sons will pass on traits which will ultimately progress the herd forward. It comes down to having faith in your own product, if you have a cow you believe in, why not keep a son from her and use him?
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30/12/2011, 22:38
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JonnykelsoII
EX95
Registered: 11-2006
Posts: 623
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Re: Your own bull
We ai everything from end of november toprobs may or june but prob 3bulls are kept for 3batches of heifers at grass and 2older bulls for 2batches of milk cows..then theyr sold on or kept for the following year. This years are..
Leif x vfarao x dynasty x tugolo x old penny cow thats still here
leif x jocko besne sweet
jeeves x jocko x goodluck x balertwine
legend x shotle x vfarao penny mentioned above.
Try to pick a bull that should be good all round even if no extremes. Have to be good fat n protein..good scc...regular breeders and good sound type.
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2/1/2012, 21:22
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Island Holsteins
EX92
Registered: 03-2011
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Re: Your own bull
I`ve always liked the idea of having a cleanup bull. The thing thats always stopped me is not having the proper facilities to house him, and the dangerous aspect of having one on the farm
It should be very interesting when farmers are able to genomically test the own bulls in 2013. I know a couple guys in my area will definitely be sending samples the first day they can send it.
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3/1/2012, 4:35
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foxleigh
Ex97 True blue dinky-di maverick
Registered: 06-2003
Location: southern,oz
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Re: Your own bull
we always have at least one bull on the go for the "hard" breeders and quite often they are also collected for friends.
currently here
SEnior herd sire red triple threat x 5 gen ex inspiration has daus on 2nd calf.NFS
his 2yo red lucke advantage nephew x VG 85 TT x 5 gen ex inspiration.(also the yearling full bro also red)who has calves on the ground now.
yearling damion x VG86 2nd calf emphasis x 9 gen EX being used now
yearling damion x VG88 jetmaster x VG 87 encore x 9 gen.ex countryman
yearling leader trent x currently GP82 heifer score avonlea raider jetmaster x vg 85 skagvale count x 5 gen ex used lightly now
The above 5 are actually sold to the neighbour .... he just hasnt picked them up yet!
calf pen
Damion x ex 92 starbuck x ex95 durham x lana rae - next herd sire not for sale!
linjet x vb88 durham x vg87 sir christopher x 9 gen ex starbuck - for the neighbour next year.
due next month triple threats x gloryland leasha rae - any bulls will be reared for own use.
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3/1/2012, 22:12
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smous
Cowtalk Staff
Registered: 11-2003
Location: South Africa
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Re: Your own bull
In addition to flogging semen I raise and sell clean up bulls, 99% are from calving ease pedigrees, I have a bunch of Planets and Omans at the moment, but I did keep a Shottle out of my best Ito daughter. He is now big enough to be sold but though still young is a nasty brute, he is the first Holstein I have had like this, (every other Jersey bull is starting to get bolshy when they leave)
I was checking their water a few days ago and he roared up to the aging fence, and much to my relief stopped at it. The bloke who wants him, is quite happy, says he will hopefully deter any prospective cattle thieves.
--- WWS-SA
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6/1/2012, 7:31
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alan a
Ex97 Addict!
Registered: 06-2003
Location: Fermanagh
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Re: Your own bull
I have heard of this with Shottle bulls in our area. One guy raised three and couldn't get them sold, except for beef due to their temperament.
Having said that, we have had a few through the AI centre and they haven't been a problem at all.
I agree about Jersey bulls, they are nasty brutes.
--- Alan Armstrong
Western Farm Enterprises
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6/1/2012, 9:57
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