Alberta farmer
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- Nov 13, 2008
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In my neck of the woods Angus are becoming sort of the standard breed, either black or red. Now not knocking Angus but I wonder why any commercial producer would want a straightbred herd?
The economics of cow/calf production is not very good right now? If crossbreeding can add 20-25% efficiency that is quite an advantage?
It is generally assumed the F1 female is quite superior to the straightbred female and a terminal bull will add more weight.
I remember several years ago my old AI instructor saying "If you aren't crossbreeding you either have an oil well, married the ranchers daughter, or don't care if you make money!"
I personally started out with a good set of horned hereford cows, bred them Red Angus and Simmental, and when the resulting offspring got established threw in big beefy Char bulls. Those were the best feeders I've ever raised. Of course the heifers were kind of duds for cows so we always bred some of the best cows Red Angus...and lately black Angus. My problem is now my cow herd is getting a little too "Angusy" for my liking so will probably cross back to a Sim or Hereford in the near future.
What are everyone elses thoughts on crossbreeding?
The economics of cow/calf production is not very good right now? If crossbreeding can add 20-25% efficiency that is quite an advantage?
It is generally assumed the F1 female is quite superior to the straightbred female and a terminal bull will add more weight.
I remember several years ago my old AI instructor saying "If you aren't crossbreeding you either have an oil well, married the ranchers daughter, or don't care if you make money!"
I personally started out with a good set of horned hereford cows, bred them Red Angus and Simmental, and when the resulting offspring got established threw in big beefy Char bulls. Those were the best feeders I've ever raised. Of course the heifers were kind of duds for cows so we always bred some of the best cows Red Angus...and lately black Angus. My problem is now my cow herd is getting a little too "Angusy" for my liking so will probably cross back to a Sim or Hereford in the near future.
What are everyone elses thoughts on crossbreeding?