Crossbreeding possibilities??

[ElginRinger]

First, a question, which will help me and give you more information to use for your answers to my other question.

1) A while back I raised straight Herefords. For various reasons, I changed my thinking and went with a beefmaster bull on the herf cows. I kept a few heifers from these and later bought a polled hereford bull to put on the remaining cows and their heifer calves. Can someone give me a percentage breakdown on the calves I had from that cross ?


2.) Main question. What are your opinions on what to breed to these cows that I currently have that would make a good cross for selling the calves at the auction ? I have a registered Blk Angus bull which I've been using on the offspring of the Polled Hereford but haven't been pleased with the calves. It's time for the Herf bull to go. I have to tell you, that I really like what I've read about the Gelbveih and Balancer bulls but I'm hesitant for the fact that there just don't seem to be that many breeders in my area. I don't mind black hide as it does still sell well in my area. I know this is rambling and maybe not written well so if I've left anything out, holler. Thanks as always for your help.

 

[phillse]

1. If I understand right u had Beefmaster x hereford F1's that u mated back to hereford. Then the breakdown would be 13/16 hereford, 1/8 Brahman, and 1/16 Shorthorn.

2. My recommendation on a cross would be to cross them with a Continental breed, since your brood cows are primarily British.
My recommendations would be Black Simmnetal, Charolais, or Black Gelbvieh. I don't have any experience with gelbvieh but a good Black Simmental should give you black calves, increase the muscle which will result in better yeild grades without sacrificing Quality grade. The key is to buy the best bull you can afford, if you use an inferior bull you will not be happy with the calves.

First, a question, which will help me and give you more information to use for your answers to my other question.

1) A while back I raised straight Herefords. For various reasons, I changed my thinking and went with a beefmaster bull on the herf cows. I kept a few heifers from these and later bought a polled hereford bull to put on the remaining cows and their heifer calves. Can someone give me a percentage breakdown on the calves I had from that cross ?


2.) Main question. What are your opinions on what to breed to these cows that I currently have that would make a good cross for selling the calves at the auction ? I have a registered Blk Angus bull which I've been using on the offspring of the Polled Hereford but haven't been pleased with the calves. It's time for the Herf bull to go. I have to tell you, that I really like what I've read about the Gelbveih and Balancer bulls but I'm hesitant for the fact that there just don't seem to be that many breeders in my area. I don't mind black hide as it does still sell well in my area. I know this is rambling and maybe not written well so if I've left anything out, holler. Thanks as always for your help.

 

[Frankie]

First, a question, which will help me and give you more information to use for your answers to my other question.

1) A while back I raised straight Herefords. For various reasons, I changed my thinking and went with a beefmaster bull on the herf cows. I kept a few heifers from these and later bought a polled hereford bull to put on the remaining cows and their heifer calves. Can someone give me a percentage breakdown on the calves I had from that cross ?

Straight Herefords crossed with Beefmaster bull = 1/2 Hereford 1/2 Beefmaster

1/2 Hereford-1/2 Beefmaster bred to Hereford bull = 3/4 Hereford 1/4 Beefmaster

2.) Main question. What are your opinions on what to breed to these cows that I currently have that would make a good cross for selling the calves at the auction ? I have a registered Blk Angus bull which I've been using on the offspring of the Polled Hereford but haven't been pleased with the calves. It's time for the Herf bull to go. I have to tell you, that I really like what I've read about the Gelbveih and Balancer bulls but I'm hesitant for the fact that there just don't seem to be that many breeders in my area. I don't mind black hide as it does still sell well in my area. I know this is rambling and maybe not written well so if I've left anything out, holler. Thanks as always for your help.

Recommendation: A better Angus bull. :D

 

[ElginRinger]

Thank you very much.

 

[CowpokeJ]

Do you still have some of the half blood beefs? If so, I would go with a balancer, straight gelby, or charolais. You got to much british with the p. hereford on top of the half hereford then angus on top of that. Or you can go back with a beefmaster, get some more heifers and then go to a continental. The beefs should be your best mommas. Gerts also cross good on hereford.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

I'm with Frankie, a better Angus bull

 

[angie1]

Can hereford heifers handle a continental breed? i have been wondering this for my own..

 

[angie1]

i mean the size of the baby.... i worry about it being too big for the heifers...........

 

[C HOLLAND]

Go Charolais, you are selling pounds, so go with a proven terminal type bull,,,,,CHAROLAIS

 

[ElginRinger]

Do you still have some of the half blood beefs? If so, I would go with a balancer, straight gelby, or charolais. You got to much british with the p. hereford on top of the half hereford then angus on top of that. Or you can go back with a beefmaster, get some more heifers and then go to a continental. The beefs should be your best mommas. Gerts also cross good on hereford.

Yes, I do still have some of the half beefmaster, and yes they are my best mommas. I too think I have too much British as well. I did read somewhere that crossing a gelby to a p.hereford tranfered just about the highest percentage of heterosis. Thanks for your reply.

 

[DOC HARRIS]

Do you still have some of the half blood beefs? If so, I would go with a balancer, straight gelby, or charolais. You got to much british with the p. hereford on top of the half hereford then angus on top of that. Or you can go back with a beefmaster, get some more heifers and then go to a continental. The beefs should be your best mommas. Gerts also cross good on hereford.

Yes, I do still have some of the half beefmaster, and yes they are my best mommas. I too think I have too much British as well. I did read somewhere that crossing a gelby to a p.hereford tranfered just about the highest percentage of heterosis. Thanks for your reply.

The Beefmaster breed was developed by using bos indicus, Shorthorn and Hereford crossings, therefore one cannot determine with accuracy the percentage of Hereford in your herd, but it is obvious that there is too much British to continue with British and improve your Heterosis percentage. While I recommend Angus in the mix, I would suggest Gelbvieh next, then on THOSE heifers, go with an "Ohlde type" Angus bull and absolutely retain the best heifers from those matings. NOW you have a great crossbreeding start, and can extend your program into composites, keeping the rotation within a three or four breed mix, thereby maximizing heterosis (hybrid vigor). This presents a lot of possibilities!

DOC HARRIS