finding a bull
Some farmers in S. Appalachia sent us this question:
We are now in the process of looking for a bull to keep on the farmstead. After lots of discussion we decided that it would be best for our farm to keep our own bull rather than doing AI or renting a bull. Now,our two cows are Jersey-Dexter crosses and will be 3 years old in May. I also plan on breeding several heifer calves, now 9 months old, that I intend to sell (since I am sure we do not have enough forage for 5 bovines).
So my questions are what age bull would you recommend? What age is a bull ready to breed? Should I look for a "proven" bull? I am also using the points from your field guide to help me. I know you do AI but any knowledge you have on bulls would be awesome!
As always thank you so much for all your do! We truly appreciate your mentorship and friendship! If you ever need anything from us from here in East Tennessee do not ever hesitate to ask! -- N.R.
Hi!
We'll be looking for a bull in the spring, too. Our old bull, Charles, is going in the freezer this afternoon. We'll be looking for a young animal, 2-3 years, preferably; we'd like him to be proven, so three years is more likely, but if all we can find is a good two-year-old from good stock, so be it. We'll look for a Dex or a Jersey/Dex cross. Some characteristics we'll hope for: homozygous polled, A2A2, good dairy genes (this is probably hopeless), no chondroplastic gene. Most of the other stuff either I don't know what it means, or I don't care. Matters more that he be all grass, rotationally grazed, and very gentle. I'd like him to be young (so he'll adjust well to changing farms), or so gentle I'm not too worried about it.
Stay in touch! the Doughertys