What CED for Heifer use?

[Hunter]

How low would you go on the CED number when using a certain Angus bull on heifers?

 

[Son of Butch]

Breed Average is 6 and a heifer certainly should be able to handle an average ce bull of the same breed.
Well grown heifers 4...But I usually end up going with a 9+ to be on the safe side.

 

[M.Magis]

Bull sale I went to last weekend classified guaranteed "heifer" bulls as having a CED of +8 or higher and BW of 1.6 or lower. I have no knowledge on the subject myself, just passing along the information.

 

[TCRanch]

Have them pelvic measured. If you already have the bull, cull the ones that don't make the cut. If you're buying a bull (or AI), make sure his calving ease will accommodate your heifers. Last bull we bought was +12 CED.

 

[Ky hills]

The guidelines for the bred heifer sales in this area, require a bull with a CED no less than 7. I personally like to have a little higher CED for a heifer bull. Last year my bulls, and the AI bulls ranged from 11-16. I have however used bulls with 7-8 for heifers with no problems.

 

[Hunter]

Thank you for the responses. I will be using a CED +9 but also thinking about AI as well.

 

[chicken farmer]

I would look at the accuracy. A bull with +8 CED and .90 accuracy would be a safer bet than +10 CED and a .3 accuracy. JMHO

 

[Son of Butch]

I would look at the accuracy. A bull with +8 CED and .90 accuracy would be a safer bet than +10 CED and a .3 accuracy. JMHO

+++1
Looking through old sire directories you can find plenty of young sires promoted as heifer bulls with low accuracy 10+
but when they reached .70 acc they were more like +6

 

[Oldtimer]

I would look at the accuracy. A bull with +8 CED and .90 accuracy would be a safer bet than +10 CED and a .3 accuracy. JMHO

+++1
Looking through old sire directories you can find plenty of young sires promoted as heifer bulls with low accuracy 10+
but when they reached .70 acc they were more like +6

Yep- I would go with an old bull with a lot of use and high accuracy on the EPD's... As an example of how EPD's can change with use I still remember when the bull Younkin Tribute 1722 #11794651 first hit the bull catalogs- the bull pimps promoted him as low birthweight and suitable for heifers... I almost bought one of his sons to use on heifers, but luckily didn't...
After a couple of years with trainwrecks on heifers that was changed.. Now today his CED is -20 and BW EPD is +4.2 with 95% accuracy on both..
Good bull with some good maternal breeding- but just not a heifer bull...

 

[Hunter]

For a young bull, could one look at the pedigree and get an idea of what the CED could be close to?

 

[Ky hills]

For a young bull, could one look at the pedigree and get an idea of what the CED could be close to?

Yes, when I am looking to buy a young bull, I pick them with a calving ease CED, and go by the pedigree on both sides as well.