Sorry guys (and gals). I don’t think I appreciated the quality of the PB breeders on this board. I’m totally impressed. It goes a long way to answering my question on who we trust to look after our future genetics. I think some of my fear comes from hanging around the heavy horse barn. Taller is always better, and the big dollar buyers fly in.
The take home message seems to be look at the cows and don’t be distracted by “fed on” performance. One old boy told me that three times thru with bulls from one supplier and both herds are genetically the same.
I totally agree, as buyers we love that performance. It’s like the Holy Grail to some. They never stop looking. They think they have found it in one breed, and three years later a whole new set of bulls shows up. I guess we want the biggest calves at the market as a result of one bull purchase.
I buy pretty much as willow creek describes above. I just try to make sure they come from the top part of the index. I trust the breeder to select for udders, temperament, etc.
But back to my original question. Aren’t most hobby breeders also chasing that same “Holy Grail”? Fat sells.
The take home message seems to be look at the cows and don’t be distracted by “fed on” performance. One old boy told me that three times thru with bulls from one supplier and both herds are genetically the same.
I totally agree, as buyers we love that performance. It’s like the Holy Grail to some. They never stop looking. They think they have found it in one breed, and three years later a whole new set of bulls shows up. I guess we want the biggest calves at the market as a result of one bull purchase.
I buy pretty much as willow creek describes above. I just try to make sure they come from the top part of the index. I trust the breeder to select for udders, temperament, etc.
But back to my original question. Aren’t most hobby breeders also chasing that same “Holy Grail”? Fat sells.
Comment