Holstein Bulls

[Jdunn55]

Yes they don’t lie but I’ve some small cows which are miles behind the larger cows in terms of production. I personally prefer slightly bigger than slightly smaller. Everyone gives off about Holsteins being big tall things built like the side of a fiver but lots of these bulls are minus stature which is totally fine it’s the narrowness with them. If I was going smaller I’d want much more width.

I know I'm going to be told off for this, but I like big cows, my small cows are by far my worst and constituents have no relationship to size of cow from what I have seen so far, but chest width and rump width is still far more important than stature for me.

Mastergen had some really nice bulls last time I looked, and I do like blondin sires but they're a bit more fancy and showy than most

 

[dinderleat]

I know I'm going to be told off for this, but I like big cows, my small cows are by far my worst and constituents have no relationship to size of cow from what I have seen so far, but chest width and rump width is still far more important than stature for me.

Mastergen had some really nice bulls last time I looked, and I do like blondin sires but they're a bit more fancy and showy than most

You do like driving square pegs in round holes

 

[Stuart1]

Old genetics there would be better bulls available. Good bull though

I’ve used his son Almamater too, not as heavy. Used him in a flush too, just weaned the embryo calves recently and I hope they turn out as well.
also used Redcarpet and Rhapsody which come from the same family. I’ve maybe went over the top using so closely bred bulls but time will tell.

 

[Jdunn55]

You do like driving square pegs in round holes

How do you mean?

 

[Stuart1]

I know I'm going to be told off for this, but I like big cows, my small cows are by far my worst and constituents have no relationship to size of cow from what I have seen so far, but chest width and rump width is still far more important than stature for me.

Mastergen had some really nice bulls last time I looked, and I do like blondin sires but they're a bit more fancy and showy than most

I love big cows, personal preference. The fact your talking about Blondin and you milk friesians tells me you’ll be going down the Holstein route sooner rather than later. High type cows separate the men from the boys, lots of work.

 

[som farmer]

Personally I think you should look at other company’s based on the criteria your looking. From
What you’ve described Alcove is the bull for you, il post a link below of his figure in case you haven’t came across him before.

Genomics Factsheet

holstein-uk.org

I’ve used him fairly heavy, have 3 milking at the money, can’t fault them whatsoever, they have width of only compare to a London bus.

we don't source from genus, but l do enjoy browsing through the catalogues. And they really show how breeders have responded to customers wants. Not so long ago, we were using fr, but a move back to autumn, means slightly different cows, but there are plenty to choose from, whereas not so many years ago, there might have been 1 or 2.
I can remember first using hols, the new 'wonder breed', Avoncroft Matchmaker, was the first one, produce massive strong cows - compared to the frs. They were ideal then, but the breeders went along a road, that wasn't quite what many users wanted, and then xbred, or fr, became more prevalent, and now the breeders have found the way again, to produce what customers want. The modern hol, has taken a lot of criticism, for not being what many want, tall narrow weak etc. But it is a fantastic animal, that's why it is so widely used, they just went the 'wrong' way for many, but now back on track.

 

[Jdunn55]

I love big cows, personal preference. The fact your talking about Blondin and you milk friesians tells me you’ll be going down the Holstein route sooner rather than later. High type cows separate the men from the boys, lots of work.

Ahh I see, if I bought anything from blondin they wouldn't be going anywhere near a friesian, I just like to keep up to date with the holstein side of things

I might look at them for the holsteins I have here, got 33 to serve this year

 

[dinderleat]

How do you mean?

The cows you want don’t suit the system that suit your farm milk contract and bank balance. Don’t mean it in a nasty way

 

[TheRanger]

we don't source from genus, but l do enjoy browsing through the catalogues. And they really show how breeders have responded to customers wants. Not so long ago, we were using fr, but a move back to autumn, means slightly different cows, but there are plenty to choose from, whereas not so many years ago, there might have been 1 or 2.

I used the Bull Selector tool on the Holstein UK website recently and put in the traits I was looking for, similar to yours posted above. I think about 80% of the first page were Genus bulls. They do seem to have most of the top bulls of that type at the moment.

 

[coomoo]

I used the Bull Selector tool on the Holstein UK website recently and put in the traits I was looking for, similar to yours posted above. I think about 80% of the first page were Genus bulls. They do seem to have most of the top bulls of that type at the moment.

That would alarm me, not saying it’s not right tho

 

[TheRanger]

I’ve used his son Almamater too, not as heavy. Used him in a flush too, just weaned the embryo calves recently and I hope they turn out as well.
also used Redcarpet and Rhapsody which come from the same family. I’ve maybe went over the top using so closely bred bulls but time will tell.

Did you ever use Westcoast Lighthouse?

 

[Stuart1]

I used the Bull Selector tool on the Holstein UK website recently and put in the traits I was looking for, similar to yours posted above. I think about 80% of the first page were Genus bulls. They do seem to have most of the top bulls of that type at the moment.

A lot of people are beginning to use the bull selector tool more and more. Saves a lot of time looking through different company’s to find “the one”

 

[TheRanger]

That would alarm me

Most of them would have probably been closely related, so maybe not as big a selection as it first looked. Currently using Citizen and Platt from Genus and a couple from Alta.

 

[Stuart1]

Did you ever use Westcoast Lighthouse?

No, from memory he didn’t have enough Fat & Protein KG’s and slow milking. He ticked all the other box’s tho. Farm close by is milking a few, stylish and good heifers he has but my lord they can kick.

 

[Stuart1]

Most of them would have probably been closely related, so maybe not as big a selection as it first looked. Currently using Citizen and Platt from Genus and a couple from Alta.

What’re you using from Alta?

 

[TheRanger]

No, from memory he didn’t have enough Fat & Protein KG’s and slow milking. He ticked all the other box’s tho. Farm close by is milking a few, stylish and good heifers he has but my lord they can kick.

Just AI'd one yesterday and the width of her as a maiden heifer is tremendous.

 

[___\0/___]

A lot of people are beginning to use the bull selector tool more and more. Saves a lot of time looking through different company’s to find “the one”

I just text the reps with what I am looking for regarding milk, bf etc and they text me back a selection of what is available and price.

Saying that just ordered more Rubicon based on a post on this forum.

 

[Jdunn55]

The cows you want don’t suit the system that suit your farm milk contract and bank balance. Don’t mean it in a nasty way

Ahh I see, you're not wrong, my contract doesn't mind as long as I provide butterfat and protein so I can breed pretty cows that produce constituents ill be on to a winner, hopefully when I move, I'll design it so that it suits this type of cow better than what I have here, bank balance is another story though

 

[Stuart1]

Ahh I see, you're not wrong, my contract doesn't mind as long as I provide butterfat and protein so I can breed pretty cows that produce constituents ill be on to a winner, hopefully when I move, I'll design it so that it suits this type of cow better than what I have here, bank balance is another story though

Don’t worry the bank balance is a lot of people’s issues

 

[Stuart1]

I just text the reps with what I am looking for regarding milk, bf etc and they text me back a selection of what is available and price.

Saying that just ordered more Rubicon based on a post on this forum.

Rubicon, you just can’t go wrong.