Ask any group of cattlemen to pinpoint the single most important factor in developing a cow herd and the answer will most likely be bull selection. Bull selection is the foundation of building a profitable beef herd.

Sire selection can and should be more accurate today than ever before. Beef breed associations have developed programs that use performance information on a calf's relatives in addition to its own record to estimate its breeding value for different traits. Let me also add that there is as much difference within a breed than among the beef breeds in regards to performance characteristics.

When selecting a bull for natural service, you must first know the kind of breed that will meet the breeding program's needs. The kind of bull needed will depend upon available resources, such as feed, labor, facilities, cow herd, environment, market demand, and the breeding plan followed. The goal is to find a complete, balanced, functional bull capable of siring calves that will contribute to herd profitability.

Cattlemen can no longer afford to try to maximize any single trait. Once the type of bull needed has been determined, the second step in the sire selection is to decide where to buy. There are many reputable sources that can provide performance records on their bulls. Sellers should have results of breeding soundness examinations available if the bulls are of breeding age. Sources of bulls include private treaty sales, production sales, auction markets or consignment sales. The Henderson County Beef Cattle Committee has developed a Beef Management Calendar that includes listings of bull producers as well as replacement heifers.

After sources have been identified, it is time to evaluate the bulls available and their performance data. This includes evaluating structural soundness, fertility, growth, calving ease, frame size and maternal performance. Any consideration to a bull's genetic contribution to a herd is meaningless unless he is structurally sound and physically fit to seek out cows in heat and service them. A good prediction of fertility can be made by a complete breeding soundness exam that includes a semen test, scrotal measurements and physical exam of the reproduction trait. It's also a good management practice to test all the bulls prior to the breeding season. A sterile bull can sure lengthen the calving cycle.

Growth is evaluated through adjusted weights, rations and expected progeny differences for weaning and yearling weights. Frame size provides an estimate of rate of maturity, mature size, and carcass cutability at a given live weight. Frame size is measured in terms of hip height adjusted to a standard age.

Maternal performance is generally evaluated as milk production. Milk production potential can best be evaluated by expected progeny differences for milk in national sire summaries and performance pedigrees generated by breed associations.

A bull that survives these three selection steps and that can be obtained at a reasonable price is an excellent candidate for you to purchase. Genetically superior bulls contribute to the profitability of cow-calf production. You'll see the difference in a season.

Trinity Valley C.E.U. Program:

Ag producers who are in need of continuing education units (CEUs) in order to renew private or commercial pesticide applicators license, need to make plans to attend the annual Trinity Valley C.E.U. Program on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Mabank Fire Station. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Five continuing education units will be available to those that attend.

The program will kick off at 8:45 a.m. with a session on Buzzard & Wildlife Control on Your Property by Jan Loven, District Supervisor with Wildlife Service.

Next on the program will be a discussion on Nutrient Runoff in the Cedar Creek Watershed by Dr. Bruce Lesikar, Associate Department Head and Extension Program Leader for Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Other topics on the program include Common Weeds of East Texas and Their Control by Jack LeClaire, Range and Pasture Specialist with DuPont; Incorporating Legumes Into Grazing Systems by Dr. Vanessa Corriher, Assistant Professor and Extension Forage Specialist; Controlling Blackberry Bushes in Your Pastures by Stephen Gowin, Rains County Extension Agent and Controlling the Texas Leaf Cutting Ant by Rick Hirsch, Henderson County Extension Agent.

Five CEUs (l Laws and Regulations; 1 Integrated Pest Management and 3 General) will be given. Cost of the program is $20 per person and includes a barbecue lunch.

This program is co-sponsored by the Extension Leadership Advisory Boards from Henderson, Kaufman and Van Zandt Counties. Individuals with disabilities who require auxiliary aid, service or accomodation in order to participate in Extension sponsored meetings are encouraged to contact the Extension office in Henderson, Kaufman or Van Zandt Counties for arrangements to be made.

Container Plants:

Since real plants are becoming increasingly popular and most people have enough space for at least a few specimens, container plants are becoming quite popular. Furthermore, they make excellent Christmas gifts that keep on giving pleasure and enjoyment throughout the year.

Container plants have several advantages for most households. Portability and their small space requirement are two major points.

When grown in containers, plants can be easily moved from one place to another. Thus when the flower is at its peak. it can be displayed in full view where the gardener wishes. Then, when it is not as attractive, the plant can be moved to another location. An added bonus for mobile home and apartment dwellers is that when they move, the plants can be taken with them and provide an "instant landscape" at the new location.

Another nice thing about container plants is that they do not require much space. Once again, this is a big "plus" for apartment and mobile home residents. Flowering plants as well as varieties producing fruits and vegetables may be used.

Since each container can have different soil conditions, a greater variety of species can be grown than in a garden that is limited to the areas existing soil plants with various requirements as far as soil, water, pH, light and other elements are concerned may be grown.

As long as the plant's cultural requirements are met, almost any plant can be used for a container specimen. Before selecting a plant, the successful container gardener determines where the plant will usually be located and the amount of available sunlight, moisture and protection present.

Besides the well-known annual and perennial flowers, deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs and vines may be used. Annuals usually prefer at least a half day's full sun, but most tropical evergreens do well with less.

Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent-Agriculture for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Visit web page at http://hendersonco. tamu.edu.