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Beef specialists say bull genetics critical to rebuilding cattle herd

A University of Illinois beef specialist says bull genetics will be key in rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd.

Travis Meteer, who manages the Illinois Performance-Tested Bull Sale held every February at the Illinois Beef Expo, tells Brownfield, “What we really pride ourselves on is giving as much information to the buyer as possible to make sure that they can have that data to make decisions off of, to invest in the genetics.”  He says, “The cows are important, but the bull is gonna make up a big, big percentage of the genetics in that herd.”

AUDIO: Travis Meteer – U of I Extension

Jay Nair, who manages Southern Illinois University’s performance-tested bull sale that takes place in early March, agrees and says bull selection can also be used to improve desirable traits, like carcass weight and individual muscling, within the herd.

“One bull can actually sire about maybe 30, maybe 40, maybe 50 calves, and at the same time, one female cow or heifer can generally carry just one calf a year.”  He says, “The amount of genetic improvement that the bull can bring into a herd is far superior.”

AUDIO: Jay Nair – SIU-C

Meteer says the market for elite bull genetics continues to climb, and he doesn’t see it slowing down.

“We know that the turnaround in beef cattle takes a little while, and that’s why I think these genetics are going to be super important for folks as we see this cow herd eventually rebuild,” he says.

Western Illinois University holds its annual bull test sale in March, and junior Lydia Bennett, who’s a pre-vet major, says the events not only bring top genetics to cattle producers but also provide experience for the next generation.

“Just two weeks ago, we helped at the bull test.”  She says, “We were tagging, doing weights, vaccines, and stuff. And so, I never thought I would be doing all of this hands-on stuff. And I am. So, it’s been absolutely amazing.”

AUDIO: Lydia Bennett – WIU

Nair says only a handful of universities in the U.S. are equipped with bull test stations, so the fact that Illinois has three is a unique benefit to the region’s cattle producers.