breed question

[dbc]

My dad was telling me that we used to have santa gertrudis( i think). whats everyones opinions about those. also i never here anyone talk about beefmaster, i thought they were good cows.

 

[greenwillowherefords]

My dad was telling me that we used to have santa gertrudis( i think). whats everyones opinions about those. also i never here anyone talk about beefmaster, i thought they were good cows.

Santa Gertrudis were developed by crossing Shorthorn and Brahman cattle. From what little I know of them, they are hardy animals for the south/hot climates, as are most Brahman influenced cattle. I would expect them to be less ideal for northern/colder climates. The drawback to any Brahman influenced cattle is the tendency to produce lower quality grade meat. That being said, there are areas where this influence is almost required for cattle to survive the insects etc.

Beefmasters are also Brahman influenced, but as I understand it, the percentage is less, enabling them to thrive further north than many other eared cattle. They have some Hereford influence as well. I want to think that Shorthorn may be in the mix there, but I can't remember. I would consider Beefy to be the foremost Beefmaster expert on the boards, and with some searching, you may find some pictures of his cattle.

 

[msscamp]

My dad was telling me that we used to have santa gertrudis( i think). whats everyones opinions about those. also i never here anyone talk about beefmaster, i thought they were good cows.

If you do a search on these boards you will find several threads with pictures of Beefy's beefmaster cattle.

 

[Beefy]

actually beefmasters have more brahman in them than gerts. gerts are 3/8 brahman and 5/8 shorthorn whereas beefmasters are 1/2 brahman and 1/4 hereford 1/4 shorthorn.

In my opinion beefmasters are better than gerts. they are very docile, in general. plus they have more brahman and a lil hereford in them. i like that.

 

[Brandonm2]

I think full Gerts get too much of a dock at the yard; but I have always liked Gert/Hereford cross cows. A ranch up the road from us made a living for a lot of years on those type cows. I used a Gert bull on our commercial cows once. I was impressed with the growthiness of the calves; but we did still take a sale barn dock.

 

[dbc]

what do you mean when you say they get a dock?

 

[dun]

what do you mean when you say they get a dock?

Lower price, i.e. non-eared black calf, #1 large brings $145 cwt, eared black calf, #1 large brings $135 cwt

dun

 

[BC]

You can use Santa Gertrudis or Beefmaster or Brangus (black or red) cows and then cross with an English type bull (Hereford, Polled Hereford, Red Angus,Shorthorn, Murrey Grey or Black Angus) and produce a calf that will fit any order buyers bill. Calves will be less than 1/4 Brahman-influence and produce a high quality carcass. A Continental bull (Charolais, Simmental, Gelbvieh, etc.) will produce lots of pounds of calf to sale and will feed good. You will be shooting for the select market which there is a demand for.

As other have mentioned, a straightbred calf will receive some discount. Take advantage of hybrid vigor, besides the red motley faced cows make an excellent cow.