Breedplan data – an essential bull buying tool for Welsh suckler men

 

We asked a random selection of suckler men, at the spring bull sales at Welshpool, their main criteria when choosing Charolais as their herd’s terminal sire.

 

Size, scale and good conformation headed their list, and it was apparent that Breedplan data was now becoming an essential part of the selection process. During the last three years, HCC’s Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Project funding has helped to inform suckler producers about the benefits of using Estimated Breeding Values to identify bulls of superior genetic merit and also contribute towards their purchase.

 

Not only are they using the data to select bulls that will leave progeny with higher performance, but equally important, ones that area easy to calve. That means less labour and fewer days to target sale weight, or alternatively heavier weights achieved within the traditional sale period.

 

Whatever your system, introducing Breedplan data to your Charolais bull selection criteria takes the uncertainty out of choosing a new sire and provides real opportunity to improve your returns.

 

 

Lyn Douch, Carmarthen: 50 cows

“Size and scale, combined with good conformation – a bull must have a good back end. We’re also starting to use Breedplan data to back our judgement.”

 

 

Alun Davies, Carmarthen: 75 cows

“Size to deliver good store cattle that are in demand and quality muscle – he must be square all the way through. We’re also studying the Breedplan figures for ease of calving.”

 

 

Geoff and Martyn Williams, Llanidloes: 100 cows

“Feet and fertility, calving ease, length and general temperament. We’re also looking at the Breedplan figures, they’ve become essential to help pick a bull with good calving ease, and also for 400 day weight.”

 

 

Craig Davies, Rhayader: 80 cows

“A good back end, clean through the middle and good muscling combined with his Breedplan data to identify calving ease.”

 

 

Nicholas Bennett, Llanidloes: 100 cows

“Length and backend, and he must be fit but not over done. We’re also looking at his figures, in particular for calving ease.”

 

 

Arthur Evans, Denbeigh: 70 cows

 

“Firstly feet and legs, and then loin. He must also have growth because calf size sells for us, and finally he has to have good Breedplan data for ease of calving.”