Agriculture and Natural Resources

FSA3075

Beef Sire Selection

Brett Barham Introduction bred to heifers and is limited labor
Associate Professor ­ available to assist with calving? If
Selecting a herd sire is one of the either is the case, calving ease is a
Animal Science
most important decisions a cow­calf priority. Are there plans to retain
producer makes. A herd bull contrib­ ownership of calves beyond the feedlot
utes half the genetic makeup of his and market them on a value­based
calves and plays an essential role in pricing grid? If so, attention needs to
herd genetic improvement. The herd focus on carcass traits in selecting
bull is the most important individual breeding animals.
in a breeding herd. A cow or heifer
typically produces one calf per year, Other factors that should be
while a mature herd bull may sire considered in bull selection include
25 or more calves per year. Thus, a structural soundness, conformation,
herd sire may contribute more to the libido, disposition, scrotal circumfer­
genetic makeup of the herd in one ence, sheath, frame size, muscling,
breeding season than a cow contrib­ breed and horn presence or absence.
utes in her lifetime. Selecting geneti­ Try to strike a balance among various
cally superior bulls is the quickest traits and avoid extremes. Base the
path to herd genetic improvement. type of bull selected on the purpose of
The value of a bull above slaughter the bull in the breeding herd. Will
value is his ability to sire live calves the bull be used as a terminal sire on
and transmit superior genetics to mature cows, will he be bred to
the herd. heifers or will he be used to sire
replacement heifers?

Selection Goals Selection Tools

Different cow­calf operations have
different goals and different resources. Expected Progeny Differences
Yet bull selection goals for any cow Expected progeny differences
herd should target an acceptable (EPDs) are a useful genetic selection
combination of traits that comple- tool for many of the traits described
ment the strengths and weaknesses below as well as many others not
of the cow herd and match markets. mentioned. Expected progeny differ­
When selecting a bull, consider the ences provide predictions of the
needs of the cow herd. Ask questions expected performance of the calves
that will help match a bull to the cow sired by a bull compared to the
Arkansas Is herd. Do weaning weights need to be
improved? If so, growth performance
expected performance of calves sired
by another bull. They are based on the
Our Campus is a priority in the selection process. performance records of an individual,
Does calf crop color uniformity need its relatives and its progeny. Many
improvement? If so, color pattern breed associations publish EPDs on
Visit our web site at: inheritance is an important considera­ individual animals in sire summaries
https://www.uaex.uada.edu tion in bull selection. Will the bull be and searchable internet databases.

University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating
Breed associations also publish tables that show sacrifices may be made when selecting for low birth
where individual animals rank within the breed for weights. Of course, there are bulls within every breed
specific traits, such as weaning weight or ribeye area. that have the genetic potential to transmit both high
growth and low birth weights to their calves. Other
Expected progeny differences can change over common performance tradeoffs include red meat
time as additional performance information is yield versus red meat quality, fertility/reproduction
collected. Expected progeny differences come with versus growth rate/lean yield and milk yield versus
accuracy values that give an indication of the relia­ cow maintenance requirement. A balanced approach
bility of the EPD. Accuracies range from 0 to 1, with to sire selection focusing on multiple economically
values closer to 1 signifying higher accuracies. As important traits can go a long way towards herd
more usable performance information becomes avail­ genetic improvement.
able for an animal, its relatives and progeny, the
more accurate or reliable its EPDs become. Thus, a Frame Size
young, unproven bull with no calves will have lower
accuracy EPDs than a proven sire with hundreds of Changing the frame size of the calf crop can be
calf records. Expected change tables are published by accomplished through sire selection and selective
breed associations as part of national cattle evalua­ culling of the cow herd. Inappropriate carcass size
tions to show how much variation can be expected for and weight ranked second among the “top 10 quality
EPDs at specific accuracy levels. challenges” identified in the 2000 National Beef
Quality Audit. Frame size describes the overall skele­
Expected progeny differences are the best tal size of cattle and is a useful tool for evaluating
predictors of the genetic performance of an individual the lean­to­fat ratio of an animal. It is an indication
animal, and they are available for a growing number of growth and is related to slaughter weights at
of economically relevant traits. Different breeds will which cattle should attain a given amount of fat
have EPDs available for different traits; however, thickness. Large frame steers (frame scores 7, 8 and
most breeds have basic EPDs, such as birth weight, 9) with the genetic potential to grade Choice are
weaning weight, yearling weight and milk. Expected expected to do so at 1,250 pounds or higher, while
progeny differences can be used to make herd genetic large frame heifers with the genetic potential to
improvement in both commercial and seedstock oper­ grade Choice are expected to do so at 1,150 pounds or
ations. Genetic improvement can mean increased better. Medium frame steers and heifers (frame
weaning weights and growth performance, enhanced scores 4, 5 and 6) with the genetic potential to grade
reproductive performance and better performance on Choice are expected to do so at 1,100 and 1,000
the rail – all of which can enhance the profitability pounds, respectively. Small frame steers and heifers
and viability of a cattle operation. (frame scores 1, 2 and 3) with the genetic potential to
grade Choice are expected to do so at less than 1,100
Selection Indices
and 1,000 pounds, respectively.
Selection indices are based on multiple traits
weighted for economic importance, heritability (the Frame scores are calculated using hip height
proportion of the differences among cattle that is measurements. Hip heights can be measured with a
transmitted to their offspring) and genetic associa­ hip height stick or pull­down tape measure and con­
tions among traits. In other words, a selection index verted to frame size scores by calf sex and age using
is a selection tool that integrates biology and economics. a frame score table. Although actual hip height may
A selection index may provide a balanced selection increase as an animal matures, most cattle maintain
approach when selecting for more than one trait the same frame score throughout their lives. This
at a time. allows one frame score to be used for an animal,
regardless of when that animal’s hip height is evalu­
ated. Larger­framed cattle require more forage and
Selection Criteria feed resources than smaller­framed cattle, so match­
Beef cattle selection should be based on many ing cattle size to production resources is important.
factors – growth and reproductive performance, fertil­ Culling extremes for frame size (large and small) can
ity, health, disposition, age, frame size, muscling, etc. also be useful in improving herd uniformity. Bull
Single­trait selection should be avoided when select­ frame size can be strategically matched to cow frame
ing a herd sire. Overemphasis on one or a few traits size to produce calves within a targeted frame size
may reduce performance for other traits. There are range. However, caution should be used when breed­
several genetic antagonisms that may result in ing a large frame bull to small frame cows or heifers
performance tradeoffs. For example, selection for due to the increased risk of calving difficulty. Some
high growth (high weaning and yearling weights) breed associations compute yearling height EPDs
may simultaneously increase birth weights and calv­ that can be used in predicting a sire’s ability to
ing difficulty. The reverse is also the case: growth transmit yearling height to his calves.
Muscling weaning and yearling weights are a fairly standard
component of national sire evaluations conducted for
Thickness or muscling is important in beef cattle specific breeds.
because muscle is what is sold in the retail meat
case. The degree of muscling impacts yield grades, Carcass Traits
average daily gains and dressing percentages.
Lightly muscled cattle are significantly discounted at Carcass traits are a key consideration in bull
sale time. Muscling can be improved through bull selection, particularly when cattle ownership is
selection. USDA feeder cattle thickness grades used retained and cattle are sold on value­based pricing
to classify muscling range from 1 to 4, with 1 being grids. Table 1 lists industry targets for beef carcasses
the heaviest degree of muscling. outlined during the strategy workshop of the 2000
National Beef Quality Audit. Carcass traits are
There are several good indicators of muscling in moderately to highly heritable, so genetic improve­
beef cattle (Figure 1). Muscling may be evaluated in ments can be made in a shorter period of time than
the quarter or round, stifle, gaskin, twist, shoulder, less heritable reproductive traits.
forearm and across and along the back. Do not just
look in one area to determine muscling. An animal Table 1. Industry Targets for Beef Carcasses
may be thick through the quarter but lack adequate
muscling in the forearm. The forearm is an excellent Carcass Trait Industry Target
place to look for muscling because there is usually Carcass weight 650 to 850 pounds
less fat cover in this area. Extremely muscled heifers
or cows may have fertility problems, so sire selection Quality grade Prime, Choice or Select
for muscling should be optimized instead of maxi­
Yield grade 1 to 3
mized. In addition, a coarse, bunchy­muscled bull
may sire similar calves causing trouble at calving.
Ultrasound carcass scanning technology allows
Quarter carcass information to be collected on live animals
Back Width of Top
(Round) instead of having to wait until cattle are harvested.
Yearling bulls out of potential herd sires may be
ultrasound carcass scanned for 12th to 13th rib fat
thickness, rump fat thickness, ribeye area and intra­
muscular fat percentage (marbling). Each of these
Shoulder
traits is significant in the determination of red
Gaskin meat yield and quality, and each is at least
Stifle Twist
Forearm moderately heritable.

Participants in the Arkansas Steer Feedout

Program receive carcass information on calves after
Figure 1. Indicators of Muscling in the Beef Animal completion of a finishing phase. This information can
be used to evaluate growth and carcass traits in the
herd and compare the carcass merit of calves out of
Growth Traits different herd sires. Expected progeny differences
are also available for many carcass traits, including
Growth traits include weaning and post­weaning hot carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, rib fat
(yearling) growth performance. Growth performance thickness and percent retail product.
information available on performance­tested bulls
may include average daily gain, weight per day of Calving Ease
age, adjusted weaning and yearling weights and
weight ratios within contemporary groups. A contem­ Calving ease is an important consideration in the
porary group is a group of cattle of the same sex and sire selection process, particularly when first­calf
age­managed under like conditions. An average heifers or small­framed cows are to be bred. Labor
weight ratio for a contemporary group is always availability may influence how a “calving ease” or
equal to 100. A calf with a weaning weight ratio of “heifer” bull is valued. Birth weight has often been
105 has a weaning weight that is 5 percent above the used as an indicator of calving ease, but there can be
average of the group. A weaning weight ratio of 90, a lot of variation in calving ease. Birth weight is just
on the other hand, indicates that the calf ’s weaning one of many factors that affects calving difficulty in
weight is 10 percent below the average of the con­ beef cattle. According to the Beef Improvement
temporary group. Expected progeny differences for Federation, other factors affecting calving ease
include age of dam, calf sex, pelvic area, gestation via bull selection. A few of the other EPDs available
length, cow size, shape of calf, breed of sire, breed for maternal traits include heifer pregnancy, gesta­
of dam, uterine environment, hormonal control, tion length and stayability. The availability of these
geographic region, season of year, environmental EPDs will vary by breed. Reproductive traits typi­
temperature, nutrition of dam, condition of dam, cally have a low heritability, so selection for improved
implants/feed additives, feeding time and exercise. reproductive performance may be slower than selec­
tion for more heritable traits, such as carcass traits.
Birth weight and several other factors are
components of calving ease EPDs. Selection based on Bull Fertility and Scrotal Circumference
both calving ease and birth weight EPDs is discour­ Fertility in bulls can be assessed with a breeding
aged since it may put too much selection emphasis soundness examination (BSE). A BSE is a practical
on birth weight. Emphasizing calving ease in selec­
method for identifying bulls with less than satisfac­
tion rather than birth weight may make it easier to
tory breeding potential. Bulls not passing a BSE
select for calving ease and growth performance at
need to be culled from the breeding herd to prevent
the same time. Birth weight will still be accounted
calf crop declines. A breeding soundness evaluation
for in calving ease EPDs.
consists of a physical examination, scrotal circumfer­
The two types of calving ease EPDs are calving ence measurement and semen evaluation and is
ease direct and calving ease maternal. Calving ease performed by a veterinarian. Ideally, a bull should
direct EPDs provide information about the expected have passed a BSE prior to purchase.
assistance required at birth for a sire’s calves and
predict the ease with which a bull’s calves will be A BSE should be performed annually on each
born to first­calf heifers. Calving ease direct indicates bull about 60 days prior to the start of the breeding
the percent more or less of calves sired by a particu­ season. This allows time to recheck or replace bulls
lar bull that are expected to require assistance at receiving suspect scores. Do not use a bull that fails
calving out of two­year­old heifers. For example, a a BSE. Because the breeding potential of a bull can
bull with a calving ease direct EPD of +10 percent change over time, BSEs should be conducted on a
compared with a bull within the same breed with a regular basis. Disease, injury and environmental
calving ease direct EPD of +2 percent is expected to conditions can affect proper function of the testes
sire on average 8 percent (10 – 2) more calves that can and impair reproductive performance. An annual
be born unassisted. Calving ease maternal or daugh­ BSE is essential, especially when only one bull for
ter’s calving ease EPDs, on the other hand, give an the entire operation, one bull per breeding herd or a
indication of the expected assistance required at calv­ high female­to­bull ratio is used.
ing for calves out of a sire’s two­year­old daughters. In
this case, the bull on which the EPD is evaluated Measurement of yearling scrotal circumference
would be the grandsire of the calf for which the nec­ provides an indication of a bull’s sperm­producing
essary assistance at birth is being predicted. Calving capacity. Scrotal circumference is also negatively
ease maternal is also referred to as daughter’s calv­ correlated with age at puberty of a bull’s daughters
ing ease or maternal calving ease and is the ease with and female sibs. In other words, the daughters of a
which a sire’s daughters calve as first­calf heifers. bull with larger scrotal circumference should reach
puberty at an earlier age than the daughters of a
Maternal Traits bull with smaller scrotal circumference. Scrotal
Milk production is an important maternal trait circumference is a particularly relevant selection
that directly affects calf weaning weights. Milk EPDs consideration when a bull is used to produce replace­
are expressed as pounds of calf weaned due to the ment heifers. Many breed associations publish EPDs
milk production of the dam, not as pounds of milk for scrotal circumference.
produced. Combined maternal (also referred to as
maternal milk and growth, maternal weaning weight Structural Soundness
or total maternal) EPDs reflect a combination of the Structural soundness is important in beef sire
milking ability of a bull’s daughters along with the selection to ensure that a herd sire is physically
growth potential of their calves. As milk production capable of effectively breeding herd females. A breed­
increases, the nutritional requirements of the dam ing bull will need sound feet, legs and eyes in order
increase. Milk production must fit the forage and to seek out and find females in heat and service
feed environment to ensure that nutrient require­ them. Structurally sound bulls will walk freely and
ments of lactating cattle are met and rebreeding is easily taking long strides and will display flex and
not hindered by inadequate nutrition. give in the joints. Thus, it is important to watch
Calving instincts and disposition are other traits cattle walk to observe possible defects that may
that are important in replacement female sires; impair ease of movement and cause undue stress on
however, it may be difficult to select for these traits bone joints. View cattle from as many angles as
possible when assessing conformation and structural A well­balanced bull is stylish, eye­catching and
soundness. It may be useful to get in the pen with attractive, which helps in capturing favorable interest
the cattle and move them around. from potential buyers. Balance implies correctness of
structure and a desirable blending and proportion of
The legs of a structurally correct bull should be
body parts. The neck should blend smoothly into the
placed squarely at the four corners of his body. Bones
shoulder, and a level topline should be exhibited.
should be straight and strong with the proper
Bunchy, coarse muscling should not be present. A
amount of “set” or angle to the shoulder, hock and
heavy­fronted, light­ended bull is “unbalanced.”
pasterns for ample cushioning. A steep shoulder (too
straight) is a good indicator of potential leg problems. Sheath
A bull that is buck­kneed in his front legs will have
excess stress on the shoulder. A bull that is calf­kneed Sheath character is an important trait to assess,
in his front legs will have excess stress on his knees. particularly in Brahman­influenced bulls. Extremely
An animal that is post­legged in its rear legs (not loose, pendulous sheaths may be more prone to injury
enough set to the hock) may become “stifled” and than tighter, less pendulous sheaths (Figure 2). Over­
have difficulty mounting herd females. This condi­ grown brush and spiny weeds are just some of the
tion is more serious than the sickle­hocked condition pasture hazards that may cause cuts or abrasions to
where there is too much set to the hind legs. Cattle a bull’s sheath and penis. Bulls are at greatest risk
may also be toed­out or cow­hocked, two additional for sheath and penis injuries during travel and
structural problems. A narrow stance in the rear legs mating. Sheath character is heritable, and many
may affect length of stride. Hip structure also affects tight­hided, Brahman­influenced animals are avail­
how easily and freely an animal moves. Cattle able with minimal sheath and dewlap as a result of
should be level from their hooks (hips) to their pins. genetic selection.
Too much slope from hooks to pins is undesirable.

Conformation
Conformation is not only important in the show
ring, but it also has implications for production and
marketing. Shortcomings in conformation can be
passed on from a bull to his calves. Severe conforma­ Tight Sheath Pendulous Sheath
tion problems need to be selected against to limit
conformation problems in future calf crops. Figure 2. Differences in Sheath Character
It is important to select bulls with adequate body
capacity or volume. Body capacity is assessed by Polled Versus Horned
looking for spring of rib, width of chest floor, length
of body and depth of body. Replacement females Horned calves are often discounted at sale time.
sired need ample body volume for carrying and deliv­ Horns can cause bruising and other injuries to both
ering a calf along with a large rumen for consuming cattle and cattle producers during handling. Horn­
large quantities of forage for calf and milk produc­ related injuries may occur during shipping as well as
tion. In addition, bulls with extremely small pelvic in the feedlot and are thus undesirable to cattle
areas can produce heifers with unacceptably small feeders. Too frequent and severe bruises ranked
birth canals. Sires with wide shoulders can also sire among the “top 10 quality challenges” for the United
similarly shaped calves that are more likely to States fed beef supply, according to the 2000 National
undergo a difficult birth. Beef Quality Audit. Dehorned or polled cattle also
move more easily through handling facilities and
Sex character is important in beef cattle as well. take up less bunk space in the feedlot. Horns can
A bull should look like a bull. Bulls should be mascu­
be removed from cattle through physical means
line, powerful in appearance, display a prominent
(dehorning) or through genetic selection (selection of
crest and appear heavier in muscle and bone than
homozygous polled breeding animals).
their female counterparts. Sex should be distinguish­
able when looking at the head of an animal, even in In British or Continental breeds of cattle,
a calf. homozygous polled (PP) bulls sire only polled calves
Some bulls have a predisposition to being wastier (Table 2). Homozygous means that the two alleles
than other cattle. Excessively fat bulls often lack (parts of the gene pair) are the same. Heterozygous,
libido. Bulls displaying large amounts of loose hide on the other hand, means that the two alleles in the
in the dewlap or brisket, excessive depth of flank and gene pair are not alike. Just because a bull is physi­
loose hide in the twist may be predisposed to being cally polled does not mean that it is homozygous
wasty. They may exhibit patchy, uneven finish. polled. Some polled bulls are heterozygous for the
horn gene (Pp) and can transmit the genetics for cattle often command market premiums. Certain
horn expression to their calves. It is useful to know if value­based marketing alliances, such as Certified
a polled bull is homozygous or heterozygous polled. Angus Beef, have coat color restrictions as well.
This information may be available in breed associa­
Understanding coat color inheritance can help in
tion records. Horned bulls are homozygous horned
designing breeding programs with specific goals for
(pp) and can only transmit the genetics for horn
coat color. The three basic coat colors in cattle are
expression to their calves. Using a horned bull will
black, red and white. Each animal possesses two
perpetuate horn expression in the herd.
genes for basic coat color, one passed down from the
The genetics of horn expression is more sire and one passed down from the dam. The gene for
complicated in cattle with Zebu ancestry, such as black is dominant over the gene for red, so cattle with
Brahman, Santa Gertrudis and Beefmaster. A second one gene for black and one gene for red are black. The
gene, the African horn gene, contributes to horn genes for black and white express no dominance over
expression in these breeds. A proven homozygous one another. Therefore, cattle with one gene for black
polled bull can produce some horned calves if he is and one gene for white are a black­roan color. The
bred to horned or polled cows that carry the African genes for red and white also express no dominance
horn gene. over one another, so cattle with one gene for red and
one gene for white are a red­roan color. The gene for
Scurs are incompletely developed horns that
are not attached to the skull. The gene for scurs is white is recessive. Cattle with two white genes are a
transmitted separately from the horn gene, so it has true white color. There are also genes that determine
no effect on the presence or absence of horns. Not whether or not the base color will be diluted. Black
all horned cattle carry the genetics for scur expres­ dilutes to gray, red dilutes to yellow and diluted
sion, and not all polled cattle lack the genetics for white remains white. The dilution gene is dominant
scur expression. to the non­dilution gene. Cattle with at least one
diluter gene will exhibit a diluted color, while cattle
Coat Color with two non­dilution genes will not have a diluted
color. Additional genes determine color patterns such
Feeder calf prices can be affected by coat color. as spotting, brindling and white face.
This is due to perceptions that coat color is an indica­
tion of performance potential or carcass merit. Breed
Despite market perceptions, cattle with the same
coat color may perform very differently post­weaning There is often a focus on the differences among
and on the rail. In fact, coat color alone is not neces­ cattle of different breeds. There are also dramatic
sarily even indicative of cattle breed. For example, differences among cattle within a breed for particular
several breeds contain black­coated cattle including traits. Within each breed, there are both superior and
Angus, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Maine­Anjou inferior cattle. This emphasizes the importance of
and Simmental. Coat color also affects perceptions of assessing each potential replacement on an individual
uniformity in beef cattle, and uniform groups of basis in addition to evaluating the use of a particular

Table 2. Inheritance of Polledness or Horns

Sire Dam Calves
Genotype Genotype Genotype Polled/Horned
Homozygous polled (PP) Homozygous polled (PP) 100% Homozygous polled (PP) Polled
Homozygous polled (PP) Heterozygous polled (Pp) 50% Homozygous polled (PP) Polled
50% Heterozygous polled (Pp) Polled
Homozygous polled (PP) Homozygous horned (pp) 100% Heterozygous polled (Pp) Polled
Heterozygous polled (Pp) Homozygous horned (pp) 50% Heterozygous polled (Pp) Polled
50% Homozygous horned (pp) Horned
Heterozygous polled (Pp) Heterozygous polled (Pp) 25% Homozygous polled (PP) Polled
50% Heterozygous polled (Pp) Polled
25% Homozygous horned (pp) Horned
Homozygous horned (pp) Homozygous horned (pp) 100% Homozygous horned (pp) Horned
breed in a breeding program. Careful consideration or not replacement heifers will be kept, market
should be taken in choosing both breeds and cattle targets, environmental conditions and forage and
within breeds. feed resources.
Visual estimates of breed composition may not
always be accurate, but perception of breed composi­ Summary
tion often affects sale price. No breed or breed combi­
How much information is needed in selecting a
nation is necessarily always best for all production
herd sire? The more information used in bull selec­
and marketing environments. A variety of breed
tion, the fewer surprises. It is important to use both
combinations can be appropriate. It is important to
performance information and visual appraisal in
be familiar with potential discounts for particular
choosing a breeding bull. Selecting solely on perfor­
breed combinations.
mance numbers may ignore structurally unsound or
An organized crossbreeding program can infertile bulls that will do little for calf crop percent­
capitalize on hybrid vigor while producing calves age and herd improvement. On the other hand,
with a desirable combination of characteristics from selection only based on visual appraisal may ignore
multiple breeds. Hybrid vigor or heterosis is the the genetic potential of a bull. Visual appraisal of
amount by which the average performance for a trait cattle complements the use of performance records
in crossbred calves exceeds the average performance for selecting/culling beef cattle. Information that may
of the two or more purebreds that were mated in be useful in selecting a beef bull includes expected
that particular cross. In addition, different breeds progeny differences, performance test information,
tend to excel for different traits. A well­designed pedigree information, recent breeding soundness
crossbreeding program can combine the performance evaluation results, herd health program history and
strengths among several breeds. Considerations for bull prices (Figure 3). For more information on beef
designing a crossbreeding program may include sire selection or related topics, contact your local
the current breed composition of the herd, whether county Extension office.

Figure 3. Bull Selection Decision Flow Chart

STEP 1 – Bull purpose

Is having a bull to freshen cows the only concern?

Yes No

Buy the cheapest bull available and wait 283 days. If the calf Purchase bulls from reputable breeders. Make sure that breeding
crop percentage is unsatisfactory, then sell the bull and repeat bulls have passed a recent breeding soundness evaluation, are
STEP 1. disease-free, are structurally sound (good feet, legs, eyes, testicles
and sheath) and have acceptable conformation. Consider using
virgin bulls for disease control. Inquire about customer service
programs, such as breeding guarantees and calf buy-back
programs. Go to STEP 2.

STEP 2 – Breeding group

Will the bull be bred to heifers?

Yes No

Select a “calving ease” or “heifer” bull. Calving ease EPDs Calving ease and birth weight should be considered, but
should be used, if available. Birth weight EPDs provide a moderately high birth weights can be tolerated on medium to
good indication of potential calving difficulty when calving ease large frame cows. Go to STEP 3.
EPDs are unavailable. Selection based on both calving ease
and birth weight EPDs may overemphasize birth weight in the
selection process. Note that growth may be sacrificed when
selecting for low birth weights. Go to STEP 3.
 STEP 3 – Replacement heifers
Will the bull be used to sire replacement heifers?

Yes No

Selection criteria should include sire scrotal circumference. Selection considerations for a terminal sire should include a
Yearling scrotal circumference is related to age of puberty in balance of acceptable or superior performance for multiple
a bull’s daughters. Larger scrotal circumference translates to economically relevant traits. Single trait selection should be
a bull’s daughters reaching puberty at an earlier age. Milk is avoided. Select bulls that complement the cow herd. Go to STEP 4.
another important consideration when heifers are kept as
replacements. Milk EPDs indicate calf weaning weight
performance due to milk production of the dam. Total
maternal EPDs, also referred to as milk and growth or
maternal weaning weight EPDs, predict the combined effect
of the dam’s milking ability and growth transmitted to the calf
on calf weaning weight. Milk can be overdone and should be
matched to forage and feed resources. Calving ease daughters
or calving ease maternal EPDs provide useful information
about calving ease transmitted to a bull’s daughters. Yearling
weight, height, fat thickness and other factors that may impact
reproduction should also be evaluated. Go to STEP 4.

STEP 4 – Calf marketing

How will calves be marketed?

At weaning After stocker phase Ownership retained

through feedlot

Selection considerations should include Selection considerations should include yearling Selection considerations should include
weaning weight, frame size, muscling and weight, frame size and muscling. Use EPDs carcass traits, frame size and muscling.
coat color. Calf uniformity (similar color, age, when available. If performance information is Live animal ultrasound scan information,
frame, muscling, condition) may bring premiums limited to weight ratios, then select a bull with a carcass EPDs and information from
when calves are sold in groups. Use EPDs yearling weight ratio above 100. An organized participating in the Arkansas Steer Feedout
when available. If performance information is crossbreeding program should target a breed Program can be useful in evaluating carcass
limited to weight ratios, then select a bull with composition that will produce a desirable traits. An organized crossbreeding program
a weaning weight ratio above 100. If no combination of characteristics from the should target a breed composition that will
performance information is available, then different breeds. produce a desirable combination of
proceed to another breeder. An organized characteristics from the different breeds.
crossbreeding program should target a breed Go to STEP 5.
composition that will produce a desirable
combination of characteristics from the
different breeds.

STEP 5 – Value-based marketing

What type of price grid will be targeted?

Lean carcass Carcass

yield quality

Rib eye area, fat thickness, carcass weight and percent retail Intramuscular fat (marbling) is an important consideration.
product are important considerations. Ultrasound carcass Ultrasound carcass scans on live animals, carcass information
scans on live animals, carcass information from the Arkansas from the Arkansas Steer Feedout Program and carcass EPDs
Steer Feedout Program and carcass EPDs are all valuable are all valuable selection tools.
selection tools.

References Machen, R. 1999. Commercial Bull NCBA. 2000. National Beef Quality
Selection Made EZ. Texas Agricul­ Audit. National Cattlemen’s Beef
Beef Improvement Federation. 2002. tural Extension Service. The Texas Association. Denver, Colorado.
Guidelines for Uniform Beef A&M University System. ASWeb­023.
Improvement Programs. 8th ed.
Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.

DR. BRETT BARHAM is associate professor ­ animal science, Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and
Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas Division of June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agriculture, Little Rock. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. The
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligi­
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