Bulletin No 4187 - Choosing commercial beef bulls

Authors

David Barker, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Files

Publication Date

6-1990

Series Number

4187

Abstract

This bulletin provides a method of placing realistic differences in value on young bulls offered for sale.

The prices paid for young bulls are often based on superficial appearance alone, and this has important financial implications for the purchaser. Different characteristics have either large or small effects on the net value of progeny produced. They are dependent on such factors as: the variability of different characteristics in cattle; differences in reliability of the assessment; the extent to which the characteristic is passed on to the progeny; the effect of the characteristic on realized net value of the progeny; the effect on production costs; and the time elapsing before the differences in value of progeny are realized as income.

The prices paid for young bulls are often based on superficial appearance alone, and this has important financial implications for the purchaser. Different characteristics have either large or small effects on the net value of progeny produced. They are dependent on such factors as: the variability of different characteristics in cattle; differences in reliability of the assessment; the extent to which the characteristic is passed on to the progeny; the effect of the characteristic on realized net value of the progeny; the effect on production costs; and the time elapsing before the differences in value of progeny are realized as income.

Commercial producers can buy bulls of different breeds or crosses in order to quickly and confidently change heat tolerance, tick resistance, milking ability, maturity type and muscularity. However, growth rate and reproductive capacity cannot be influenced so reliably and can only be assessed by evaluation of individuals.

Number of Pages

14

ISSN

0729-0012

Publisher

Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

City

Perth

Keywords

Beef, Bulls, Commercial beef bulls, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agribusiness | Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Beef Science | Genetics | Physiology

Recommended Citation

Barker, D. (1990), Bulletin No 4187 - Choosing commercial beef bulls. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Perth. Bulletin 4187.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/316

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