bull calf to pick on

Inventry
Gather App
UnlistMe
R

rocket2222

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 26, 2006
Messages
1,226
City & State/Province
Rappahannock Co. Va
Pick him apart.

BW 92 ADJ 205 WW 643 no creep. 6 1/2 months old, just weaned, so he's got 3 to 4 pounds grain a day last couple of weeks.

IMG_2969111.jpg


IMG_2964111.jpg


IMG_2973111.jpg
 
It's clear that you understand your market and that you're adressing the past issues the breed had (probably still have in too many herds) and most importantly still have in the eyes of the commercial bull buyer.

The calf shows a lot of promise, good depth, good head, good eyes, good balance. Ideally I'd like to see more over the loin.

He's a different type than I breed, but then I am on the other side of the world.
 
does he kick that front right out a bit?

honest questions (not to highjakc the post)....
whats a good head look like?
what are the issues the commercial bull buyer saw/see with the breed (herefords dont sell well here...)(as i walked the hills of my grandfathers place yesterday i was less than in love with them myself...).
what type do you breed for there? would you consider him more 'american'?
 
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
See price on Amazon
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
See price on Amazon
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
See price on Amazon
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
See price on Amazon
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
See price on Amazon
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
See price on Amazon
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
Very nice calf. I think it would be difficult for anyone to criticize him much at this stage and considering how he appears.
 
He's got nice thickness at the stifle. Looks like generally a good set of feet and legs under him. I would prefer a little more squareness in the rump (wider set pins too) and more hip volume. Considering his age and how close he is to weaning that may be a development thing though. Good rib. At this point I would call him solid, but not flashy.
 
hart.280":eohx8xl5 said:
does he kick that front right out a bit?

No, he is pretty sound

honest questions (not to highjakc the post)....
whats a good head look like?

How much time do you have?
A good head on a bullcalf is masculine at a young age, shows breed character, are of the right dimensions (in balance with the rest of the body with the distance between the eyes equal to the distance from the eyes to the poll equal to the distance from the eyes to the muzzle), starts to show the development of a prominent occular ridge, has eyes that is set deeply in their sockets with a strong brow and eyelashes pointing downwards. The muzzle needs to be wide with the teeth on the lower jaw meeting the dental pad squarely.

what are the issues the commercial bull buyer saw/see with the breed (herefords dont sell well here...)

Most of it is old wifes' tales, but lets just leave it at when a breed gets too popular too many people "invest" in it following all kinds of whims and fancies rendering a large portion of the breed useless as working cattle.

Issues that I know Rocket is adressing is, he is working hard to lay the cancer eye ghost of the past to rest, is breeding cows that can raise a good calf and that can do it with minimal input (a traditional strength of the breed)

(as i walked the hills of my grandfathers place yesterday i was less than in love with them myself...).

I'm not here to convince you otherwise, but I'd like you to atleast research the breed and beef cattle in general and form an educated opinion.

what type do you breed for there?

Closer to what the breed originally was in the USA about 70 years ago. I breed slightly smaller heavier muscled cattle that may not grow like a charolais, but that can get away with far less in less than ideal conditions that can handle the heat and still raise a good calf with NO input off natural forage for the most part and still breed back on time.

would you consider him more 'american'?
Click to expand...

Rather say more modern.
 
i know your in no posistion to have first hand experience but, do you think your line could handle the cold well as well?

i was ruined on my mini herd some winters back when they went to play with the herefords. in no time my girls ribs were showing while the herefords were still fat (though the hereford steers didnt look like they had grown at all)

your feelings on taking these easy keepers and crossing them (hard core terminal chi-maine-simi(or angus) bulls) for growth in the feedlot?
 
hart.280":3c44bv7a said:
i know your in no posistion to have first hand experience but, do you think your line could handle the cold well as well?

i was ruined on my mini herd some winters back when they went to play with the herefords. in no time my girls ribs were showing while the herefords were still fat (though the hereford steers didnt look like they had grown at all)

your feelings on taking these easy keepers and crossing them (hard core terminal chi-maine-simi(or angus) bulls) for growth in the feedlot?
Click to expand...

You're getting the picture. Hereford bulls are commercial cow makers, using a high growth continental sire on hereford influenced cows is the way to go to get the most from the individual breeds' strengths.

Personally I'd rather go with Charolais or Limousin as a terminal sire, the genepool is just so much bigger. I know most will kill me over this but Herefords or angus was never meant to be terminal sires, trying to make them into that is what ruined more good cattle than anyone care to know.

On the cold issue, you're right I have no way of knowing how my cattle will handle the cold, but typically cattle are more comfortable in the cold than the heat and traditionally herefords handle the cold as well as any breed, but if those who fail to understand their role in the industry continue to breed the backfat away it might not be the case anymore in the future.
 
I really like the eye pigment. Could be just a little wider in the rump but a very nice calf. I like Herefords. Wayne
 
rocket2222":2z3yc66u said:
cfpinz":2z3yc66u said:
Where's the horns??? ;-)
Click to expand...

Where's the snow, ended up with about 15", what did you get.
Click to expand...

Check out the Everything Else board. About 2' but drifts in the 3 to 4' range.

If you're disappointed with that 15" you can have some of mine.
 
KNERSIE":1bri9ez2 said:
It's clear that you understand your market and that you're adressing the past issues the breed had (probably still have in too many herds) and most importantly still have in the eyes of the commercial bull buyer.

The calf shows a lot of promise, good depth, good head, good eyes, good balance. Ideally I'd like to see more over the loin.

He's a different type than I breed, but then I am on the other side of the world.
Click to expand...

Yes, they're different types, I'm not sure that they really should be, but I'm getting to old to change direction/programs again, even though I've thought about it.
 
cfpinz":fsmese5w said:
rocket2222":fsmese5w said:
cfpinz":fsmese5w said:
Where's the horns??? ;-)
Click to expand...

Where's the snow, ended up with about 15", what did you get.
Click to expand...

Check out the Everything Else board. About 2' but drifts in the 3 to 4' range.

If you're disappointed with that 15" you can have some of mine.
Click to expand...

I'd would have been happier with just 5" :)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top