farm help
91st Sale
April 4, 2020 12:30 p.m.
Springfield Livestock Marketing Center
‘No Bull’ When it Comes to Bull Selection By Klaire Howerton
Lot 51 – Reg#: 19635139
Lot 31 – Reg#: 19397959
Lot 37 – Reg#: 19312808
105 REGISTERED ANGUS CATTLE SELL! Offering: 25 Bulls, 17 Fall Pairs, 13 Spring Pairs, 6 Bred Cows, 8 Bred Heifers & 6 Open Heifers
For additional information or to request a sale catalog contact:
Missouri Angus Association General Manager, Julie Conover Office: (734) 260-8635 • E-mail: julie@missouriangus.org View the entire sale book online at www.missouriangus.org
PRESENTED BY
Friday & Saturday March 27 - 28 10am till 6pm
Sunday, March 29 10am till 3pm
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Springfield, Missouri
featuring
SHOP 90,000 SQ FT OF INDOOR & 100,000 SQ FT OF OUTDOOR EXHIBITS Including equine & livestock displays - farm equipment western wear - tack - rvs - trailers farm supplies - home furnishings - home remolding leather items - automobiles - tractors animal feed - clothing & jewelry - and more!
EQUIPMENT AUCTION saturday March 28 @ Noon - prosoldllc.com
Australian Horseman Entertainer & Bush Poet Guy McLean
Thanks to our 2020 Gold Sponsors
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booth space available call 417-833-2660
Producers should know what they’re getting when buying a bull With the popularity of social media and online sites, buying or selling a bull is pretty convenient. Producer beware, though. You do tend to get what you pay for. Just because a seller is willing to take a low price or because a bull “needs gone ASAP” does not mean one should choose convenience over quality. A quality herd sire needs to be a mindful, well researched decision. A bull has a purpose he needs to be able to do his job, and the buyer needs proof. “First and foremost, you have to remember what that bull’s job is; you bought him to breed cows,” Andy McCorkill, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Field Specialist, said. “The starting place would be to get a veterinarian’s certificate stating he has passed a Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE). The BSE will evaluate the bulls breeding ability, liking at semen quality factors as well as the bull’s physical structures.” If a seller is unwilling to undertake this most basic endorsement of their bull’s breeding ability, it is probably best to move on. Another “proof of purchase” the buyer should obtain from the seller is a negative trichomoniasis test result. This disease can create near catastrophic losses and is the last thing a producer wants to introduce into their herd. “A producer could lose 50 percent (or more) of an annual calf crop through early embryonic death or abortion if trich is introduced into the herd. Even in a small herd of 30 cows, the loss of calf revenue alone could exceed $10,000,” Dr. Craig Payne, MU Extension Veterinarian, said. “Factor in the losses associated with culling, the cost associated with cleaning up
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
the disease and you have an economically devastating event, not to mention that testing is required in Missouri for all breeding bulls sold, bartered, leased or traded within 60 days prior to change of ownership or possession.” The exceptions to this requirement are virgin bulls less than 24 months old. McCorkill noted some producers will test virgin bulls for peace of mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for records on a potential new herd sire. McCorkill advised producers look for good health records and vaccination histories. “That goes back to keeping him and the rest of the herd healthy, so they have a better chance of doing their job - producing calves – efficiently,” he said. A new bull should be able to adapt and function efficiently in his new home. Selecting bulls that match your home environment, McCorkill said, is advisable. “In our area, that means cattle that come from and are used to ‘hot’ endophyte infected fescue,” he said. “Fescue toxicity leads to elevated body temperature in the summer which reduces the fertility of a bull; bulls not raised on fescue are often at a greater disadvantage in this respect.” When shopping, avoid pursuing transactions for overweight bulls. While a well-fed animal in good condition is desirable, an overfed bull will not perform well or hold up over time. “Look for feet and leg issues,” McCorkill advised. “If you spot them on young bulls, they’ll only get worse with age.” Another area to research is temperament. A bull with the drive to do his job is fine, but producer safety needs to be of utmost concern. “As the average farmer’s age continues to increase, the ability to outrun crazy MARCH 2, 2020
