* Breed characteristics: The stud bull should conform to the breed standard in terms of physical appearance, temperament and performance characteristics.
* Good conformation: The stud bull should have a well-balanced body with good structural correctness. This includes having a strong frame, good feet and legs, and a well-attached head and neck.
* Soundness: The stud bull should be free from any major defects or health problems that could affect his breeding ability or performance.
* Vigour and fertility: The stud bull should be vigorous and have a high libido. He should also have a good fertility rate, with a high percentage of his matings resulting in pregnancy.
* Good temperament: The stud bull should have a good temperament and be easy to handle. He should not be aggressive or difficult to manage.
* Performance testing: The stud bull should have undergone performance testing to assess his genetic potential for growth, feed efficiency and other important performance traits.
* Genetic merit: The stud bull should have a high genetic merit for the traits that are important for the breeding program. This can be determined by using genomic testing and evaluating the performance of his relatives.
* Pedigree: The stud bull should have a good pedigree, with a history of producing high-quality offspring.
* Progeny testing: The stud bull should have undergone progeny testing to assess the performance of his offspring. This can provide valuable information about his genetic merit and the traits that he is likely to pass on to his offspring.