The bull you select will influence your calf crop for years—potentially affecting hundreds of calves if he stays in your program long enough. At EC Ranch, we’ve been selecting Beefmaster bulls for our commercial herd since 1974, and we’ve learned that the cheapest bull is rarely the best value, and the highest-priced bull isn’t always the right choice either.

What matters is finding a bull that matches your operation’s goals, your environment, and your cattle. Here’s how we evaluate bulls after five decades of breeding commercial Beefmaster cattle in North Texas.

Understanding Your Breeding Goals

Before you look at a single bull, define what you’re trying to accomplish:

Identifying Your Priorities

Improving weaning weights?

Focus on growth EPDs
Consider milk production for maternal contribution
Don’t sacrifice calving ease for pounds

Reducing calving difficulty?

Prioritize low birth weight EPDs
Look for moderate frame bulls
Check actual birth weights of progeny

Building replacement heifers?

Emphasize maternal traits
Moderate mature size
Excellent disposition

Selling calves at weaning?

Growth and weaning weight EPDs
Frame score appropriate for your market
Carcass traits that feedlots value

Matching your environment?

Heat tolerance (essential in Texas)
Efficiency on your forage type
Fleshing ability in your climate

At EC Ranch, we focus on bulls that produce moderate-framed calves with good growth, sound structure, and calm temperament. We’re not chasing extremes—we want cattle that work in commercial conditions with minimal input.

Reading and Using EPDs

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are powerful tools, but only if you understand what they mean and how to use them.

Key EPDs for Commercial Operations

Birth Weight (BW)

What it measures: Expected birth weight of calves
Target for commercial herds: 0 to +2 pounds
Why: Lower birth weight reduces calving difficulty
Caution: Don’t go too low—very low BW often means lighter weaning weights

Weaning Weight (WW)

What it measures: Calf weight at 205 days (adjusted)
Target: Moderate to high positive (depends on goals)
Why: Direct impact on sale weight and value
Balance: Must consider maternal milk contribution

Yearling Weight (YW)

What it measures: Expected yearling weight at 365 days
Target: Positive, but balanced with frame
Why: Indicates growth potential post-weaning
Consider: Heavy yearling weights may mean larger mature cows

Maternal Milk (Milk)

What it measures: Milk production of daughters
Target: Moderate positive (+10 to +20)
Why: More milk = heavier weaning calves
Caution: Excessive milk requires more feed

Mature Weight (MW)

What it measures: Expected mature cow weight of daughters
Target: Moderate (match your forage resources)
Why: Bigger cows eat more and may struggle on poor forage
Balance: Big enough to raise quality calves, not so big they’re inefficient

Carcass Weight (CW)

What it measures: Expected hot carcass weight
Relevance: Matters if calves go to feedlot
Target: Moderate positive
Why: Feedlots pay premiums for heavier carcasses within quality range

Marbling (Marb)

What it measures: Expected intramuscular fat
Relevance: Quality grade premium potential
Target: Slightly positive to neutral
Reality: Most commercial operations can’t capture marbling premiums

Using EPDs Properly

EPDs are relative, not absolute:

A bull with +50 WW doesn’t guarantee 50-pound heavier calves
He’s expected to produce calves 50 pounds heavier than a +0 bull in the same environment

Compare within breed only:

Beefmaster EPDs only compare to other Beefmaster cattle
Can’t compare Beefmaster EPDs to Angus or Hereford EPDs

Consider accuracy:

Higher accuracy (closer to 1.0) means more confidence in the prediction
Young bulls have low accuracy until they have progeny data
Lower accuracy = higher risk

Look at the whole picture:

Don’t select on single traits
Consider trait relationships
Balance is more important than extremes

Actual performance matters:

EPDs predict averages, not guarantees
Look at actual progeny if possible
Talk to other buyers of the bull’s offspring

Physical Evaluation: Looking at the Bull

Numbers tell part of the story, but you need to evaluate the bull himself.

Structural Soundness

Feet and legs:

Straight, correct legs (front and rear)
Strong pasterns (not too upright or too weak)
Good feet (adequate size, proper angle)
No structural defects (sickle-hocked, post-legged, cow-hocked)

Why it matters: A bull with bad feet or legs won’t last. He can’t breed cows if he can’t walk or mount.

Topline:

Strong, level back
Good muscling over loin and rump
No dips, sway, or roach

Frame and body:

Adequate depth and spring of rib
Moderate frame (not too big, not too small)
Balanced proportions
Good muscle expression without being extreme

Reproductive Soundness

Scrotal circumference:

Yearling bulls: 32+ centimeters
Two-year-olds: 34+ centimeters
Mature bulls: 36+ centimeters

Why it matters: Scrotal size correlates with:

Sperm production
Earlier puberty in daughters
Overall fertility

Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE):

Always required before purchase
Checks physical soundness and semen quality
Performed by veterinarian
Pass/fail with classification

What BSE includes:

Physical exam of reproductive organs
Scrotal measurement
Semen collection and evaluation
Overall health assessment

Red flags:

Refusing to provide BSE
BSE older than 60 days
BSE performed by seller’s uncle (get independent vet)

Body Condition

Ideal: Moderate flesh (BCS 5-6)

Too thin: May indicate health issues, poor nutrition, or hard keeper Too fat: May indicate overfeed, lack of exercise, or metabolic issues

At sale time: Many bulls are fitted (heavily fed) for show. Look past the fat to evaluate actual structure and muscle.

Disposition and Temperament

This is non-negotiable. We won’t keep a mean or nervous bull regardless of his genetics.

Evaluate temperament:

How does he behave in a pen?
Does he charge or threaten people?
Is he calm during handling?
How does he react to new situations?

Why it matters:

Safety for you and your family
Temperament is highly heritable
Nervous bulls breed nervous cattle
Aggressive bulls are liabilities

Our standard: At EC Ranch, if a bull shows aggression toward people, he’s gone. No exceptions. Life’s too short to work around dangerous cattle.

Age Considerations

Yearling Bulls (12-18 months)

Advantages:

Lower purchase price
Can grow and develop on your program
Full breeding potential ahead

Risks:

Lower fertility than mature bulls
May not cover as many cows first season
Still growing—final type uncertain

Best for:

Smaller herds (15-25 cows)
Controlled breeding seasons
Experienced cattlemen who can monitor

Two-Year-Old Bulls

Advantages:

More mature
Higher fertility than yearlings
Type more established
Some may have limited progeny data

Considerations:

Higher initial cost
Past peak rapid growth

Best for:

Most commercial operations
General-purpose breeding
First-time bull buyers

Mature Bulls (3+ years)

Advantages:

Proven fertility
May have progeny to evaluate
Known commodity

Considerations:

Higher price
May have developed bad habits
Fewer breeding seasons ahead

Best for:

Immediate breeding needs
Herds needing proven genetics
Situations requiring maximum fertility

Breed-Specific Beefmaster Considerations

The Beefmaster Advantage

Beefmaster cattle offer specific benefits for commercial operations in hot climates:

Heat tolerance:

Brahman influence provides heat adaptation
Thrive in Texas summers
Maintain fertility in hot weather

Hybrid vigor:

Three-breed composite (Brahman, Hereford, Shorthorn)
Heterosis advantage in growth and fertility
Reduced problems compared to purebreds

Maternal ability:

Strong mothering instincts
Good milk production
High conception rates

Disposition:

Generally calm and easy to handle
Less flighty than some Brahman-influenced breeds
Trainable and manageable

What to Look For in Beefmaster Bulls

Moderate frame: Target frame score 5-6 for commercial use

Good muscle: Without being extreme or bunchy

Clean front: Not overly heavy or coarse

Functional udder genetics: Check dam’s udder if possible

Ear set and eye pigmentation: Indicators of Brahman influence and heat tolerance

Smooth hair coat: Some cattle are slicker than others—smoother coats shed heat better

Buying Strategies

Where to Buy

Private treaty:

Buying direct from breeder
Opportunity to see full operation
Usually can negotiate some
May get better post-sale support

Bull sales:

See many bulls at once
Competitive environment
Usually well-presented
May be expensive (sale atmosphere)

Production sales:

Bulls from breeder’s own program
Consistency in management
Often strong guarantees

Our preference: We like buying from breeders we trust, where we can see the whole operation and understand their program. Bull selection is about more than one animal—it’s about buying into a breeding philosophy.

Price Considerations

Not cheapest, not most expensive:

Cheapest bulls are usually cheap for a reason
Most expensive bulls may be show-oriented, not commercial practical
Sweet spot is often the middle tier

Value = cost per calf:

$3,000 bull breeding 25 cows = $120 per calf (assuming he lasts 3 years)
$5,000 bull breeding 40 cows = $42 per calf (assuming 3 years)
More expensive bull may be better value if he breeds more cows and lasts longer

Consider longevity:

Quality bulls often last 5-8 years
Cheap bulls may break down in 2-3 years
Annual cost matters more than purchase price

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Before you buy any bull:

Managing Bulls Post-Purchase

Quarantine and Health

Quarantine period: 30 days minimum, separated from your herd

Health protocol:

Vaccination per your vet’s recommendations
Deworming
Any treatments needed
Observation for illness

Breeding Pasture Prep

Bull-to-cow ratios:

Yearling bulls: 15-25 cows
Two-year-olds: 25-30 cows
Mature bulls: 30-40 cows

Pasture setup:

Good fences (bulls test everything)
Adequate shade and water
Room to move
Safe from hazards

Monitoring Breeding Season

Watch for:

Bulls serving cows
Injuries or lameness
Weight loss (should maintain condition)
Behavior changes
Interaction with other bulls (if running multiple)

Off-Season Management

Rest and recovery:

Separate from cows after breeding season
Allow to regain weight and condition
Evaluate for injuries or problems

Maintenance:

Adequate nutrition
Hoof care if needed
BSE before next breeding season

The EC Ranch Bull Selection Process

Our bulls must meet strict criteria because they’re breeding the same quality of cows we sell to customers. We won’t compromise on:

Temperament: Calm, easy to handle, safe

Soundness: Correct structure, good feet, passes BSE

Genetics: Balanced EPDs, proven family lines

Type: Moderate frame, good muscle, functional

Performance: Evidence of growth and fertility

We keep detailed records on every bull we use, tracking conception rates, calving ease, calf performance, and disposition of progeny. Bulls that don’t measure up don’t get second chances—we market them rather than compromise our herd genetics.

Final Thoughts

Selecting a bull is selecting the sire of next year’s calf crop and possibly the grandsire of your future replacement heifers. Take your time, do your homework, and trust experienced breeders who stand behind their cattle.

Don’t be swayed by flashy ads or high-pressure sales tactics. The bull that looks best in a sale catalog might not be the bull that produces the best calves in your pasture.

At EC Ranch, we’ve made bull selection an annual discipline—studying EPDs, evaluating candidates, and choosing animals that will move our genetics forward without creating problems. After 50 years, we’ve learned that consistency, soundness, and disposition matter more than showring wins or trendy pedigrees.

Need Help Selecting Your Next Bull?

While EC Ranch focuses primarily on replacement heifers and breeding stock, we’re always happy to discuss bull selection strategies and can sometimes point you toward reputable Beefmaster breeders in Texas.

Contact us to discuss your herd goals and bull selection criteria.

About the Author: Cindy Carroll has been selecting bulls for EC Ranch’s commercial Beefmaster herd since 1974. With over 50 years of experience in practical bull evaluation, she focuses on genetics that work in real-world commercial cattle operations.