Factors important for bull purchasing decisions and management in extensive rangeland production systems of New Mexico: a producer survey

There were 463,000 head of beef cows in New Mexico as of January 1, 2021 (NASS, 2020), down roughly 4% from 2020 (NASS, 2019). Frequent drought often results in herd reduction and loss of valuable genetic progress. Bull selection is critical due to their influence on herd development. A survey was conducted to identify traits important to bull selection in New Mexico. Surveys were collected digitally (n = 83) and via the mail (n = 74). Responses were largely by cow/calf producers averaging 57 ± 1 years old with 24 ± 1 years' experience. Survey respondents represented 4,384,296 acres of private owned, private leased, and leased public rangeland and irrigated pasture meadow in New Mexico and surrounding states. Average cow/calf operation size was 294 ± 39 head and average bull herd size was 21 ± 3 head. Average price paid for a bull in the past 2 years was $3,981 ± 213. Physical characteristics, individual bull performance information, and genetic information are all important traits to New Mexico bull buyers; however, most producers (56%) indicated that structural soundness was the most important factor influencing their selection decisions. Amongst expected progeny differences (EPDs), New Mexico producers consider the calving ease direct (CED) and birth weight (BW) EPDS to be most important (40% and 35%, respectively). Producers also indicated that multitrait selection indexes used by the American Angus Association were important to their selection decisions, with the beef value ($B) and weaned calf value ($W) indexes being cited most often (35% and 31%, respectively). Elements important to bull purchase include the bull's sale preview (87%), body condition score (86%), feed efficiency/average daily gain information (85%), and actual scrotal circumference (82%). Following purchase of a new bull, most (60%) keep the bull separate from the cow herd until the following breeding season, while the remaining 40% of producers turn newly purchased bulls out within 30 days of purchase. Sixty eight percent of producers evaluate semen quality annually or prior to the start of the breeding season. Interestingly, 39% of producers indicated they used reproductive technologies like artificial insemination and synchronization of estrus while most (80%) test for trichomoniasis. The primary factor influencing culling decisions is age, followed by soundness and fertility.

Bull selection and management in extensive rangeland production systems of California: a producer survey

California's approximately 660,000 head of beef cattle are highly dependent on range bulls used to produce offspring that can perform across the state's diverse ecological regions. Bulls need to be functional on rugged coastal landscapes, rolling foothills, deserts, and in high-elevation terrain. Few data exist that indicate factors related to selection, maintenance, and longevity of bulls used in rangeland landscapes. Objectives herein, were to assess factors influencing bull purchasing, management, and culling decisions of California beef producers. Surveys were mailed to the California Cattlemen's Association membership (N = 1,410) with ~ 16% response rate (N = 227). Mean age and years of bull selection experience of respondents was 61 ± 1 yr and 27 ± 1 yr, respectively. Respondents managed cattle on a total of 694,949 hectare of owned, private leased, and leased public rangelands in California and surrounding states. Cow-calf herd size was 333 ± 92 head and bull battery averaged 18 ± 2 head with average bull longevity of 5 ± 1.3 yr. The average price paid for bulls in the last 2 yr was $5007 ± 163.33, while the highest price paid in the last 5 yr was $7291 ± 335.40. Survey responses were used to define current factors driving management after purchase and for subsequent breeding seasons. After bull purchase, 48% of producers turned bulls out directly with females, while 52% held bulls until the following breeding season. Additionally, most producers (70%) did not manage bulls to reduce condition after purchase. Semen quality analysis, a major component of a breeding soundness exam, was evaluated annually by 45% of respondents, while 20% of respondents never evaluated semen quality. Respondents indicated bull age (35%) and structural soundness (29%) as the most common factors for culling bulls. This research shows that despite the variability in operation demographics, there were similarities in beef bull selection and management across the state. Additionally, these data suggest the need for additional research focused on bull selection and management to maximize producer investment in reproduction.

PSI-38 Relationship between body condition score, claw set, and foot angle in Angus and Red Angus beef cows grazing native annual-grass rangeland in northern California

Evaluating the structure of beef cows, especially when replacement females are being selected, has great emphasis on production goals, particularly longevity of the female. Two structure traits that are important when evaluating beef cattle are claw set and foot angle, yet the relationship between body condition scores (BCS), claw set, foot angle and year of age has not been extensively investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between BCS, claw set and foot angle in Angus (n = 40) and Red Angus (n = 19) beef cows grazing irrigated pasture and annual-grass rangeland in northern California. Traits were collected 44 d post-weaning and included BCS, claw set, and foot angle. Claw set and foot angle were collected using the scale of the American Angus Association (e.g., scale = 1–9). Spring-calving beef cows were under similar management. At time of trait collection cows were grazing irrigated pasture (CP: 38%, and NDF: 49.2%, on a DM basis). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Fixed effects were claw set, foot angle and breed, and respective interactions. Body condition score was related to foot angle scores (r = 0.38; P < 0.01). Claw set was related to foot angle scores (r = 0.30; P < 0.05). Results showed BCS was not different among breeds, claw set, or year of age (P > 0.05). No relationship was detected among BCS and claw set. Interaction terms were not significant (P > 0.05). Cows with acceptable foot angle had lower BCS than unacceptable cows (5.86 ± 0.15 vs. 6.72 ± 0.21 BCS). Results indicate that BCS and foot angle are related. Further research to investigate effect of BCS on differences of foot angle is warranted.