If this information is not available, look elsewhere for performance-proven bulls. After sources have been identified, it is time to evaluate the bulls available and their performance data. This step involves evaluating structural soundness, fertility growth, calving ease, frame size, and maternal performance. Any consideration of a bull's potential genetic contribution to a herd is meaningless unless he is structurally sound and physically fit to seek out cows in heat and service them. It usually occurs in various degrees.
Structural soundness is of great economic importance.
Bad feet, pigeon tpes, long toes, straight hocks, and loose sheaths are examples of some of the more common structural problems. Structural soundness in bulls is best evaluated from the ground up. Inspect the bull's feet, toes, heels, pasterns, knees, hocks, sheath, and testicles and study his movement carefully to see that he moves freely and strikes the ground evenly with each hoof. The tolerance level of structural problems should be determined beforehand and not decided while looking at prospective herd bulls. Many structural problems are heritable and should be particularly discriminated against in maternal and general purpose breed bulls whose daughters will be kept for replacements.