What Should a Bull Cost

By: Chad McCormick, Manager – Two Rivers Organic Ranch 

            As Lowline breeders you are well aware of the increased interest in the rare breed. The females are some of the most well sought after animals of all cattle breeds. If you shop at shows and highly advertised sales you will most likely pay a pretty penny. These females that you paid thousands of dollars for are worth substantially less without a great bull.

            When you get your cattle home whether she is bred or not you had better plan what bull you are going to breed her to. These are some questions you should ask yourself when selecting bulls. How many cattle do I have and how many bulls will I need? Do I want to have single sire hers, or do I want to DNA test the calves to determine sires? What traits to my cattle excel in and where do they lack?

            As good as your cows and heifers are, or you think they are, remember your bull will have more influence over your herd than any one cow you own. Consider this: if you have twenty cows, and you choose bull A, in three years 60% of your herd will carry the good or bad traits of that bull if you retain all your heifers. You will not know whether that bull is good at producing good mothers until he is almost ready to retire.

            Purchase bulls that are from proven sires, bulls that have at least 100 offspring. Make sure you have seen at least some of these calves. The bull you buy more often than not will produce cattle that resemble these animals.

            If you have cows that cost $5,000 to $10,000 why would you use a bull that cost $1,500? I learned this equation long ago, if my calves are consistently bring $600 per year and I sell 20 calves per bull, I would buy a bull that cost $3,000. This way my bull cost per cow is only $30 over five years and he is valued against the marketability of my calves. In theory a bull is worth 5 steer calves to a rancher, any more and he could not pay for the bull with commercial prices. If I sell this bull when he is 7 years old and he brings $1,500 I have just made a profit, or I can reinvest in a $4,5000 bull since I already budgeted for the $3,000. I would plan to replace at least 20% of my bulls each year to bring in better genetics and outcross. (These are commercial numbers. Use your own numbers to do the equation.) This way my bulls get better every year, and I am always introducing new genetics. If you have less than 20 cows think about leasing or partnering on a good bull. If this is not feasible AI is a great choice.

            Virgin bulls are a safe choice when you purchase cattle from all over the country. Many problems on the ranch are bought and paid for. Meaning if you buy a bull with fertility problems or disease it is your fault. A bull that has an injury either reproductive or structural can be detrimental. If he is carrying a disease your whole herd is at risk. Have the bull fertility tested it will be the best $30 you ever spent. The vet should test his semen and his erection, but make sure he is testing for reproductive disease also. You need to ask a lot of questions when you buy cattle. Have you have this bull tested? What has he been eating, grass or grain? What is your vaccination program? What cow did that bull come from? These questions will help out a lot at weaning time.

            As tight as profits are in the cattle business and everything seems to be more expensive, please don’t skimp on your bulls. These animals are the key to your ranches success.

Reproduced from Southwest Lowline Angus Breeders Association Summer 2007 Newsletter.