10/18/07 Rodeo Bulls

How do those great bulls you see in a rodeo arena get there? I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back to tell you how some end up as performers. First of all, any bull you see in a rodeo arena that is good at throwing off cowboys or taking them to the pay window is there because he wants to be. Anyone who has worked with bulls very much knows if they really don't want to do something they have their ways to get out of doing that something. Years ago a lot of the rodeo bulls were bulls that had been used in cattlemen's breeding herds that looked like good athletes or were maybe a little hard to handle on the ranch. These bulls were given an audition and the best went to the rodeos. As bull riders riding skills improved, rodeo stock contractors knew they had to find better bulls. Entrepreneurs with a love of producing quality rodeo bulls initiated a bull-breeding program using some of the best, proven rodeo performers as sires. These bulls were mated to selected cows that many times had a little Brahman blood in them. Producing rodeo bulls is big business today with good bulls selling for thousands of dollars. Matings are very selective now with daughters of one great rodeo bull paired with a bull that is a standout in his own right. Resulting male offspring are developed on a program to send superior bulls to the rodeo arena. Just like professional baseball players the ultimate goal is getting to the show. With all the work and luck to get that young bull to the arena one more job has to be done and I'll tell you about that tomorrow. I'm Jeff Keane.