Perceived importance of herd bull selection criteria of Tennessee beef producers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived importance of herd bull selection criteria of Tennessee beef producers. This study considered factors important in herd sire selection and respondents rated their importance in selecting and purchasing bulls. The objectives of the study were to (1) describe the respondents demographically, (2) determine the most important criteria used in herd sire selection by Tennessee beef producers who attended the Performance Bull Test Sales from 1992 to 1994, (3) determine if type of farmer, age, type of producer, occupation, size of operation or sale attended relates to the perceived importance of identified selection criteria.

This was a descriptive/correlational study which was Ex Post Facto in nature. Secondary data already collected as an on-going experiment by the Animal Science Extension Specialist, Dr. Jim Neel, were utilized.

The majority of the respondents were owners and were over the age of 30. The largest percentage of them were commercial cow-calf producers only or cow-calf purebred producers. The respondents indicated that the highest percentage of producers were farming and also that a high percentage of producers had 61 or more breeding females in their herd.

Respondents who attended the Performance Tested Bull Sales from 1992-1994 concluded that skeletal soundness was perceived to be a very important selection criteria and the breeder of the bull was rated least important. The respondents also indicated that all selection criteria were important to consider when selecting a herd sire. Scores for the set of criteria were arranged on a Likert-type scale ranging from one, "not important" to five, "very important". Respondents expressed the degree of importance of each selection criteria.

No reason exists to Indicate a substantive difference between type of farmer, age, type of producer, occupation, size of operation, or sale attended and respondents' perceived importance of identified selection criteria.

A beef producer's perceived importance of selection criteria is an important factor to consider when selecting a breeding animal. The data compiled in this study concludes that all selection criteria were considered important by the respondents. As a result, it is apparent that in the future, beef producers may select for a balance or combination of traits to meet their goals.