Ky hills
Well-known member
I've used quite a few CE bulls for years, and while I admit I do like not having to worry a whole about calving ( still have to keep a close watch and make sure all is well ).
I sold heifers in a bred heifer program that required those CE bulls and rather than try to run different bulls, I just crossed over those bulls with my cows as well. I retained some of the heifers along and can definitely say that we lost a lot of pounds considering where I was with registered Charolais 25-30 years ago.
My current calves are as much as 2-300 lbs lighter.
Our best weaning weights now are on par with the very bottom end of my calves back then.
I recently sold one of my bulls because of disposition and that the put out too small of calves and the first group weaned off real small.
I knew that it would be that way, and he fulfilled his role, but I can use another bull and have calving ease with a little more growth.
We are in the process of trying to up the growth some haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet,
One of the issues that I'm having and it shows in our herd is finding thick and masculine looking bulls, with enough frame.
I sold heifers in a bred heifer program that required those CE bulls and rather than try to run different bulls, I just crossed over those bulls with my cows as well. I retained some of the heifers along and can definitely say that we lost a lot of pounds considering where I was with registered Charolais 25-30 years ago.
My current calves are as much as 2-300 lbs lighter.
Our best weaning weights now are on par with the very bottom end of my calves back then.
I recently sold one of my bulls because of disposition and that the put out too small of calves and the first group weaned off real small.
I knew that it would be that way, and he fulfilled his role, but I can use another bull and have calving ease with a little more growth.
We are in the process of trying to up the growth some haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet,
One of the issues that I'm having and it shows in our herd is finding thick and masculine looking bulls, with enough frame.