Producers Urged to Make Most of New Bull Selection Guide

With the main bull buying season underway, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has produced a new publication “A Guide to Bull Selection and Management” to assist farmers when investing in a new bull.

The free guide includes the latest information about what to look for before purchasing a bull and offers commercial farmers the opportunity to learn more about Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and how they can be used to select the right bull for their farms.

‘A Guide to Bull Selection and Management’, collated with support from SAC Consulting (a division of SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College), provides beef farmers with an easy-to-access reference on selecting a bull using EBVs as well as a reminder of what to look for when undertaking a visual inspection. It also includes sections on bull management, housing and post-purchase nutrition.

Douglas Bell, Head of Industry Development at QMS, said: “Getting more out of a bull, whether this means more calves per lifetime or more value from these calves, can help increase the bottom line.

“This guide takes readers through what to look for when selecting a bull, depending on whether he is being bought to support a system producing store cattle, finished cattle or to breed heifer replacements. It will help any farmer looking to invest in a new bull.”

The guide also contains case studies from beef producers around Scotland describing how they manage their bulls to maximise herd performance. 

To obtain a free copy of “A Guide to Bull Selection and Management” contact QMS on 0131 472 4040. It is also available to download here