HerefordSire":2d5g4qid said:
Knersie...if these photos were for my viewing pleasure as your title text reads, why did you not PM them to me instead of post on the boards for all to see? In a different tone, do you have any with sway backs in your environment? What are your longevity experiences related to sway backs in your environment? Have you ever had sway backs in your environment? What type of evidence is there in regards to sway back longevity on the internet? Is your choise to breed non-sway backs related to longevity....in other words, could it be you want your show cattle to win a contest?
Your dark red is very impressive. Was that a coincidence or do you prefer dard red? If you do, why?
I have long ago given up communicating with you in private messages, as you remember there was a time when I tried to answer all your questions in detail, and offered my advice, but you chose to rather try and ridicule me on the boards.
As everywhere else in the world you'll find swaybacks here, they are still not desireable. In my registered herd I don't have swaybacks as I don't tolerate them. That still doesn't mean every topline in my herd is perfect, no one taes photos of their worst animals to post on the internet.
As I have answered in another thread a few days ago swaybacks affect longevity in especially cows because of the added strain caused by pregnancies. I have also explained there that the loin is structurally the weakest spot in the spine and why the breakdown occurs there and what the effect of that is. No idea what evidence is on the internet, cattle breeding is my game, the world wide web isn't.
I cull swaybacks for longevity reasons as well as business reasons, you'll find its awfully hard to sell swaybacked bulls.
I am not a showman at all and actually believe beauty contest shows is hampering the breed and has been for a very long time. I do show a few animals every year for advertisement purposes and to be visible as a breeder, but I show what I breed, regardless of whether its not mainstream (which mine isn't), and don't breed to show.
The dark red wasn't specifically selected for coat colour, I used the sire of those heifers and bull to correct heads and eyes, the dark colour was just part of the deal. The bull did a good job on heads and eyes, but wasn't the overall package I hoped him to be and I have quit using him.
A week ago I have explained in detail what I select for in terms of coats, a thread you participated in. I prefer a good coat, whether its dark red or more yellow makes no difference to me.
George, the oldtimers believed linebacks were better milkers, (that is not a scientific proven fact, herefordsire) I don't prefer linebacks nor do I discriminate against them nor against rednecks nor a little extra flashy white. I wouldn't cull a good animal because the markings isn't according to what was publised in 1937 for the showring circuit in the USA at the time.