Post by spiritedrose on Jul 13, 2008 11:36:05 GMT -5
I think most, if not all of us here are more concerned with having a nice, sweet animal that gives us just enough milk without overwhelming us with quantity. Good quality is still important. Therefore, I decided to write a little bit about AI bull selection, since many of the people on here seem to use that method.
When using an AI bull, all these people go "Ooh, Sunset Canyon Maximus" is a big bull that has expensive semen, lets use him! Well, I don't really know what they're thinking when they buy him, but regardless, it seems like every random AI person out there tries to use a bull like that.
If people really wanted good quality animals, they should use bulls that are bred for conformation, not milk! What do people give up in order to have great conformation? MILK! My husband and his sons are really into showing (Robert posted about the cow Circus, for example) so they have to have cows with great frames and great udders, but in the show ring, you don't show based on just milk production. On the other side of the spectrum, there are numerous dairies, say for example, Mainstream Jerseys, which have the highest producing Jersey cow at 40,000+ lb. of milk in a lactation, over 100lb a day average. Obviously, anyone breeding for a family cow would want to stay away from those genetics!
It's okay to want to always improve your stock. AKC says to only breed if your goal is to improve both the dogs through their offspring. Cows can be the same.
Here are a few type bulls if you happen to be looking to breed Jersey but don't want 7-10 gallons a day (probably not listed on brochures, but AI guys can definitely get them):
Comerica
Breakaway (out of the great Duncan Belle!!)
Deluxe (tall, though)
Jade (dark brown/black)
Simba's Pride (if you want LOTS of cleft)
Duaiseoir, Jude, Renaissance (look for sons)
Minister (very popular young sire)
Giller (less butterfat, possibly, but beautiful udders)
Counciller (great frame, only use on good-crease uddered cows)
Excitation (out of a cow giving 6% butterfat!)
And any from our farm won't be too milky: Family Hill prefix such as Ringmaster, Coalition or Signature. Rapid Bay is a Canadian farm with similar bulls. Pretty much avoid any farm prefix that has a lot of bulls, they're in it for $ and milk.
Sorry, I can't help with any other breeds, but be sure to look at information on TYPE for top bulls and for production, avoid top bulls.
Hope this is helpful to some of you.
When using an AI bull, all these people go "Ooh, Sunset Canyon Maximus" is a big bull that has expensive semen, lets use him! Well, I don't really know what they're thinking when they buy him, but regardless, it seems like every random AI person out there tries to use a bull like that.
If people really wanted good quality animals, they should use bulls that are bred for conformation, not milk! What do people give up in order to have great conformation? MILK! My husband and his sons are really into showing (Robert posted about the cow Circus, for example) so they have to have cows with great frames and great udders, but in the show ring, you don't show based on just milk production. On the other side of the spectrum, there are numerous dairies, say for example, Mainstream Jerseys, which have the highest producing Jersey cow at 40,000+ lb. of milk in a lactation, over 100lb a day average. Obviously, anyone breeding for a family cow would want to stay away from those genetics!
It's okay to want to always improve your stock. AKC says to only breed if your goal is to improve both the dogs through their offspring. Cows can be the same.
Here are a few type bulls if you happen to be looking to breed Jersey but don't want 7-10 gallons a day (probably not listed on brochures, but AI guys can definitely get them):
Comerica
Breakaway (out of the great Duncan Belle!!)
Deluxe (tall, though)
Jade (dark brown/black)
Simba's Pride (if you want LOTS of cleft)
Duaiseoir, Jude, Renaissance (look for sons)
Minister (very popular young sire)
Giller (less butterfat, possibly, but beautiful udders)
Counciller (great frame, only use on good-crease uddered cows)
Excitation (out of a cow giving 6% butterfat!)
And any from our farm won't be too milky: Family Hill prefix such as Ringmaster, Coalition or Signature. Rapid Bay is a Canadian farm with similar bulls. Pretty much avoid any farm prefix that has a lot of bulls, they're in it for $ and milk.
Sorry, I can't help with any other breeds, but be sure to look at information on TYPE for top bulls and for production, avoid top bulls.
Hope this is helpful to some of you.