Yes. In over 20 yrs of raising cattle I have never had good luck buying a female! Some were worse than others but about 15 yrs ago I realized I had to make my own cows to fit my system and environment. I look at heifers as the best genetics I have. I only process a heifer if she doesn't calve close to on time and there are very few of those.

About every 4 yrs I do buy a very good registered Hereford bull from one of just a couple breeders that I know and respect how they raise their bulls. In recent years, an occasional registered bull is the only outside genetics I bring in.

If there's a registered bull I really like, I will keep and use an occasional son of his out of one of my best cows. This #197 above is actually a grandson out of my favorite purchased registered bull.

The key is keeping track of data such as pedigrees and all sorts of things about each animal. I use Cattlemax and have for many years.