genetic selection

[Anonymous]

I have a small herd (about 30 head)cow/calf operation in South Florida. The herd is a commercial hodge podge mix. Weaning weights, predictability and uniformity are not very good. I'd like to make a move toward applied genetics and would like to hear the advice and experiences of others. Most important traits in order are 1.Ease of calving 2. Thrive in Florida climate 3.Black 4.Weaning weights. My pastures are clean and quite forageable, but Florida climate is tough on English and Continental breeds. I was thinking I should liquidate my current herd, and re-stock with Continental/Brahman cross cows and Pure Angus bull. Gelbveigh/Braford composites readily available in my area from Braford foundation herd. Any ideas on the best genetic makeup for my desire?

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[Anonymous]

I would use a black angus bull with good epd's that was raised in the south. Breed the current cows and keep back your best heifers every year. Use the heifers to replace the poorer performing cows. It is slower way to make whole heard improvement but when you are done the animals will perform undr your management style. Make sure you use a bull that meets your goals.

pat

> I have a small herd (about 30
> head)cow/calf operation in South
> Florida. The herd is a commercial
> hodge podge mix. Weaning weights,
> predictability and uniformity are
> not very good. I'd like to make a
> move toward applied genetics and
> would like to hear the advice and
> experiences of others. Most
> important traits in order are
> 1.Ease of calving 2. Thrive in
> Florida climate 3.Black 4.Weaning
> weights. My pastures are clean and
> quite forageable, but Florida
> climate is tough on English and
> Continental breeds. I was thinking
> I should liquidate my current
> herd, and re-stock with
> Continental/Brahman cross cows and
> Pure Angus bull. Gelbveigh/Braford
> composites readily available in my
> area from Braford foundation herd.
> Any ideas on the best genetic
> makeup for my desire?

 

[Anonymous]

Since it is a breed that has some interesting possibilities, I would use AI and breed the best cows/heifers to a Senepol or Senangus bull, keep the heifers to gradually replace existing cows. The rest I would use one of the American composite breeds, Brangus, Braford, Santa Gertrudis, etc. If I had the money, I would either purchase all Senepol cows, or one of the mentioned composite breeds. You may be pleasently surprised at what a good bull can do for your herd in just two generations, it's slower, but probably cheaper in the long run

dunmovin farms

> I have a small herd (about 30
> head)cow/calf operation in South
> Florida. The herd is a commercial
> hodge podge mix. Weaning weights,
> predictability and uniformity are
> not very good. I'd like to make a
> move toward applied genetics and
> would like to hear the advice and
> experiences of others. Most
> important traits in order are
> 1.Ease of calving 2. Thrive in
> Florida climate 3.Black 4.Weaning
> weights. My pastures are clean and
> quite forageable, but Florida
> climate is tough on English and
> Continental breeds. I was thinking
> I should liquidate my current
> herd, and re-stock with
> Continental/Brahman cross cows and
> Pure Angus bull. Gelbveigh/Braford
> composites readily available in my
> area from Braford foundation herd.
> Any ideas on the best genetic
> makeup for my desire?

 

[Anonymous]

I would really take a critical evaluation of my current herd. maybe rank each cow on a scale of 1-10 and get rid of anything less than an 8 (if any) and then start working on culling my lowest rankings working my way up until i just have 9 or 10s. then i would start (maybe gradually) replacing them with brahmanXhereford F-1s. get a good angus or brangus bull from your area. when you breed your best hodgepodges, they will be pretty uniform in color atleast which seems to be the popular thing here in the southeast. I'm in south GA. Even if you have charolais cross cows the black bull will throw a gray calf and buyers like gray too,anything that shows some angus. A brahman hereford f1, in florida, will have a good calf when bred to anything whether it be beefmaster, brangus, hereford, but especially angus and charolais. also, the baldy type calves always seem to do well at the market, regardless of trend. just my 2 cents.

> I have a small herd (about 30
> head)cow/calf operation in South
> Florida. The herd is a commercial
> hodge podge mix. Weaning weights,
> predictability and uniformity are
> not very good. I'd like to make a
> move toward applied genetics and
> would like to hear the advice and
> experiences of others. Most
> important traits in order are
> 1.Ease of calving 2. Thrive in
> Florida climate 3.Black 4.Weaning
> weights. My pastures are clean and
> quite forageable, but Florida
> climate is tough on English and
> Continental breeds. I was thinking
> I should liquidate my current
> herd, and re-stock with
> Continental/Brahman cross cows and
> Pure Angus bull. Gelbveigh/Braford
> composites readily available in my
> area from Braford foundation herd.
> Any ideas on the best genetic
> makeup for my desire?

 

[Anonymous]

[email protected]

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for the views everyone. You all seem to share the same view concerning "liquidation". Perhaps my thinking was a bit rash and selective culling is a better approach. I think I'll go with a sound angus bull and take your advice.

[email protected]

 

[Anonymous]

> I have a small herd (about 30
> head)cow/calf operation in South
> Florida. The herd is a commercial
> hodge podge mix. Weaning weights,
> predictability and uniformity are
> not very good. I'd like to make a
> move toward applied genetics and
> would like to hear the advice and
> experiences of others. Most
> important traits in order are
> 1.Ease of calving 2. Thrive in
> Florida climate 3.Black 4.Weaning
> weights. My pastures are clean and
> quite forageable, but Florida
> climate is tough on English and
> Continental breeds. I was thinking
> I should liquidate my current
> herd, and re-stock with
> Continental/Brahman cross cows and
> Pure Angus bull. Gelbveigh/Braford
> composites readily available in my
> area from Braford foundation herd.
> Any ideas on the best genetic
> makeup for my desire?

You might want to look at going with Murray Grey's. Or at the very least a Murray Grey Bull.They would do well in your area.