Bull buying benefits from a targeted strategy and systematic approach.

It’s the time of year when red meat farmers start checking their mail for bull sale catalogues to support decision making for future production and performance.

The online world hasn’t escaped bull buying. Bull buying has gone digital, with most vendors also offering the bulls on an online platform. Getting along to a bull sale is always a good idea. The benefits are multiple - buying a bull sight unseen is risky. Buying a bull is decision that requires thought, interpretation and analysis. Not to mention the benefits of catch ups with long time mates, those you see once a year at the sale for a good chinwag, and of course the BBQ and refreshments.

I have been in the beef breeding game for a few years now with my own Angus and Shorthorn studs quietly ticking away in the background. One of the things I have learned is how to understand and interpret EBV’s, (Estimated Breeding Values). These EBV’s are a set of figures that accompany every stud registered cattle beast and are an estimate of the animal’s potential to reproduce, grow and perform in terms of carcass traits. At Beef + Lamb New Zealand, I watched farmers get a better understanding of EBV’s and how to use them within their own beef breeding system. In a world where efficient farming is being demanded to meet increasingly tighter regulations improving your genetics is one way to improve these efficiencies.

Every breed has its differences and buyers have a preference for a breed for a multitude of reasons. Those reasons are critical to your breeding choices; understanding what you want to achieve and factors that influence the outcome. Key questions to consider: What are the goals you have versus the goals of the breeder you are purchasing from? What is that breeder improving in their own herd - does that align with what you need?

I started my beef breeding with a mindset of meat quality over meat quantity. I select firstly on the EBV traits of IMF – Intra-Muscular Fat, followed by EMA – Eye Muscle Area, these are my key traits. Next, I look at rib and rump fats, followed by calving ease, birth weight, growth rates and mature cow weight. I flick through a bull sale catalogue looking at my key EBV’s and select bulls who have EBV’s above the breed average for those traits. I believe the way to improve my animals is to select those who have the potential to be better than average. Remember EBV’s are estimates, not actuals. Whilst they are calculated from raw data you still need to take them for what they are.

After selecting bulls on the highest EBV trait criteria, I physically review them in the paddock on structural soundness, temperament and just general presence - do I like the physical look of the bull? Most bull sales pre-score on structural soundness so generally they are good, however there may still be physical traits you don’t like, so it is important to physically cast your eye over a bull. If you get the chance, also look at the cows from the herd you are buying a bull from. The cows can give you an indication of the whole breeding programme and the maternal lines, those cows are the ones that helped produce the bulls you are looking at, it’s not all about the bull.

If you are thinking of changing breeds or you frequently use different breeds, comparing EBV’s can be a challenging process. They cannot be compared side by side. Each breed had a different start point when EBV’s records commenced. The best way to compare across breeds is to know what percentile the bull sits within its own breed - is it in the top 25% or the top 10%? You don’t find this information in a bull sale catalogue. Search online through the breed society. View within the EBV enquiries section using the bull’s unique name or number to dig a little deeper.

My focus on meat quality over quantity is paying off. Some meat companies are paying premiums for quality, it can come at a cost as quality takes time - you can’t cheat quality but it will be rewarding. Generally, you will sacrifice growth traits if you chase carcass traits and vice versa. Take the time to think about what you are wanting to achieve with your beef system. Keep it consistent as it will take a long time to see your changes realised. Ensure goals align with the breeder you are buying from. Have a limit on your budget and more than 1 or 2 bulls on your list in case you can’t get your first pick.

Bull buying is a process where is makes sense to look at a bull physically and also do your homework behind the scenes so you know what you are getting.

Written by Sarah O’Connell.