What is the most important thing you can offer your bull Buyers? It is true that everyone is looking for a little something different, trying to find that little niche to set yourself apart from the competition. Bull producers are using many ways to improve their product and get attention from potential buyers. But, the number one thing every bull buyer wants is to purchase a bull from someone they can trust.
Herd fertility is five times more important than any other single production parameter including growth and grid characteristics. Yet, it is possibly the one trait few producers conciser when raising and purchasing bulls. As bull producers we simply tell our potential buyers that these bulls have been either semen or fertility checked and are guaranteed fertile. We emphasize many traits that can be improved or changed by using through genetic selection and the use of EPDs. We publish PAP scores and test for any genetic disorders. We are carefully select genetics that will improve the bulls we have to offer. However, are we taking the same intensive thoughts and scrutiny when it comes to the potential fertility of the genetics we choose and bulls we produce?
Loosing trust often occurs when something goes wrong, often without our knowledge, and without any intent on our part. As I have opened up conversations with cattle producers and I begin discussing the importance of herd fertility, I will usually bring up the subject of the subfertile bull. On most occasions they themselves or someone they know will describe a bull or a year where fertility rates were low and their calving pattern became strung out over many months. It is not uncommon, especially in small herds, where they can pinpoint the bull that created the problem. With no definition of what “guaranteed fertile means” they seldom say anything to the bull producers, they simply look elsewhere to find their next bull.
Creating the genetics and the information to help bull buyers select and maintain bulls that will continue to achieve high fertility rates just may be the best thing you can do for your clients and yourself. Subfertility robs every cattle production system, even if it goes unnoticed. How are you going to create the value that doesn’t just satisfy but delights every cattlemen who purchases your bulls?