2 minute read
BULL PRODUCTION PARTNERS
BULL DEVELOPMENT
TOWN CREEK FARM BULL DEVELOPMENT
Advertisement
Town Creek Farm (TCF) bulls begin reproductive and physiological development after weaning. At this time, bulls are sorted into groups by weight. This ensures proper amounts of feed delivered are based on percent body weight which creates fair competition at feed bunks. Bulls are maintained in 40 to 50-acre traps with summer and winter grazing. Group size is typically 20 to 35 bulls per trap.
TCF bulls are matured on limited-intake (no bulk feeders), high roughage, forage-based, low-energy rations composed of 36 to 40 percent haylage (007 Bermuda grass grown, and ensiled, on Town Creek Farm) and 40 to 45 percent wet brewers grain. Commodities and by-products are the balance of the forage-based ration. Low feed consumption ensures that bulls never break their grazing habits. Certain pens of bulls spend summers on forage only with no delivered feed. Feed rations and intakes are monitored by nutritionist and cattleman, Dr. N.T. Cosby, Laddonia, Missouri. Our bull development promotes rumen function, long-term feet and leg soundness, longevity and slow weight gain.
After collection of yearling ultrasound data, corn is removed from rations and bulls are maintained on haylage and wet brewers grain. They are regrouped by frame size and development is closely observed.
Within 30 days of sale date, Dr. Mike Pallone performs a breeding evaluation including scrotal measurements and semen sample collection, which scores motility and morphology of semen. Bulls are also Trichomoniasis tested and BVD-PI tested at the same time. Dams of the bulls selling have tested negative for Johnes.
Developing bulls is a continuous monitoring process and requires multiple ration adjustments during development. Our primary goal is to develop bulls so they express genetic and reproductive potential, advance genetic progress for customers and to last a long time in breeding pastures of our customers.
Town Creek Farm bulls are grown to go out into breeding pastures, hustle and to breed as many females as possible in pastures. We encourage our customers keep replacement heifers sired by Town Creek Farm bulls as they are highly proven for fertility and maternal traits. Cattlemen can make great genetic progress because of the large number of consistent, efficient females from which to choose your replacement heifers.
Bull dispositions and temperaments are closely managed and rank as a priority by Town Creek Farm. Bulls are handled and trained to provide customers with User Friendly bulls. Our bull handling and managing includes horseback for gathering and treating, routine foot traffic among bulls, truck traffic, and some ATV activity.
THANK YOU BULL PRODUCTION PARTNERS
Our Bull Production Partners (BPP) are an important part of our bull program and of the future of Town Creek Farm. Each partner breeds and produces Town Creek Farm genetics on their respective ranch. The program is a finely tuned collaboration of genetics and management. Bull calves accepted to the program are co-mingled with Town Creek Farm bulls after weaning .
■ Black River Brangus Lynn and Dana White • (318)452-0632 7718 Hwy. 129, Monterey, LA 7135 ■ Walker Land and Cattle Co. Jason Walker • (256)846-0575 445 Mt. Moriah Road Lineville, AL 36266
