What is the biggest consideration in choosing a suckler herd sire?

[GenuineRisk]

I think several on here are indeed confusing as to the definition of 'quiet'. Raising pedigree Blue bulls as we do, most get halter broken here but not all, ready for their life as stock bulls. Most are happy for a scritch over the feeder gate but again, not all. But the moment they come out of their pen or we go in, they move away. We insist on that because they must learn to respect our space - that's paramount. It is stupid for anyone to ever trust any animal 100%, no matter what species it is. However, I also don't want stock that panic wildly the moment they see a human being either. We've had and have Lims here and currently have two ped heifers that would happily go through you than round and one who is reasonable. They've been in with a load of ped Blue heifers and the temperament is inbred - the Blues move away but they don't panic blindly.

Any kick that disables the handler either permanently or temporarily is surely undesirable! Who cares whether its a spectacular double whammy or a swift belt with one - if either connects, it can be financially damaging either way. You ask your vets which farms they hate visiting and it's always those with wild stock and/or poor handling facilities because they know they're risking their livelihoods every time they visit farms like that !

There is a huge amount to be said for breeds with docile temperaments and to deliberately keep stock which you know to be dangerous is just plain irresponsible - the only exception being a few days post calving when maternal hormones are on overtime and then it's down to us to ensure they are not a risk to others.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Yes I've got limi sired calves too- I know what it is for them to lash out with a lightening kick.
It doesn't matter if you're a 6'6" US marine or a skinny 5', if you're stood the wrong place when they lash out, you'll cop it. Some jobs require you to be stood in the 'wrong' place and restraining measures should be taken.
As I was told when I was a youngster helping rope a bull's leg for foot trimming, 'if you're lied up against him when he kicks he'll throw you back across the shed, if you're a foot or 2 away he'll break your leg. (Or worse)'
But you can't get away from the fact that some breeds, and some lines, are far more likely to lash out.

 

[NZDan]

There's hardly a Limmie in NZ. And I for one won't scan them.