hardy cattle

[smart_slider]

i have a quick question for the cattle people on this site....i am a horse gal.. anyway, what would be the cheapest, and most hardy cattle for living in ks? seeing as it is dry, what would be the best breed? thanx,
ss

 

[ALACOWMAN]

my personal preferance if i were in that area would be hereford or baldies .cant go wrong there

 

[smart_slider]

thanx!
ss

 

[ALACOWMAN]

theres other breeds that would do great there also. but as far as the plain states goes they are great range cattle. and are docile for the most part

 

[Angus Guy]

Don't forget about angus they're just pretty darn good.

Just had to do it since Springer hasn't been on about his murrey grays. Kind of miss him promoting his breed of choice.

 

[Jake]

get you some GOOD cows either solid black/red or black baldie. Breed them to a GOOD angus bull and you'll have some real nice marketable cattle. Especially in our area.

 

[stocky]

Smart_slider, In your post you also mentioned cheapest and most hardy and it is dry there. The breed that fits all three of those conditions is the longhorn and breed them to a charlois bull. You will get fast growing and top selling feeder calves from them and the longhorns will walk forever and eat almost anything and still produce the calf. I bought 10 outstanding, calf raising longhorns with 300-500 lb charlois cross calves and bred back for 700 per pair 2 weeks ago. I quarantine the new cattle for a month in my pens, but I have a brushy pasture with no cattle, so they are ready to turn out, now.

 

[Rustler9]

Stocky,
That was good buy. You'll make money off of those Longhorn cows. If you get a chance could you post some pictures of those cows and cross bred calves? I's like to see them. Thanks.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Yes, considering your climate, Longhorns would do well. There are several major breeders with quality cattle in Kansas. One is located in Arkansas City, KS.

Based on information we have received from others, Longhorn X Charlolais crosses work well, producing good looking bodied calves that sell well at the sale barn (for crosses).

Welcome to the Board!
Bill

 

[smart_slider]

thanx! i will look into that.
ss

 

[oakcreekfarms]

A little of everything is ran in kansas. Summers are hot and some people run brangus, but then our winters can be terrible so people like hereford, angus, chars, and some limos. They all have thier benefits, as for me herefords all the way. They eat early rest all day and eat at night, our feed bill has been cut by 1/3 since we switched to all herefords. I don't like angus all that much, though I have seen some good ones. Chars are to big for me, and the limos that I have seen at sales are usually pretty high headed. This is of course, just my opinion.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

We moved here from Kansas. Black baldies were very popular back then. Your best bet is check with local producers, or extension office. (--- County Cooperative Extension). You should also visit the local sale barn and see what sells.
Sorry, Longhorn breeders, but I do not think that is the way to go. Think long & hard about dealing with cows with horns - big horns-, and remember part of your income from a beef operation is the cull cows that you sell. Check out what cull LH cows are worth compared to a more popular breed or crossbreed cow.
We happen to have a good number or LH breeders on the board, but remember they represent about 1% of the population of beef breeds in US. Ryan and a few others have some of the best LH cattle in US but doesn't mean they are for everyone or every location.
Until you are experienced with a cow/calf operation, I wouldn't jump into any particular breed, just get yourself some GOOD broody commercial cows already bred to calve next spring.
Go to extension meetings & learn. Noone can advise you what's best for your particular location better than locals.

 

[smart_slider]

thanx!
ss

 

[Rustler9]

smart_slider,
You asked about some hardy cattle and Longhorns definitely are. By breeding them to a polled bull you're going to get the polled calves that will bring you a good price on less feed and maintenance. You don't have to go out and buy 60" to 70" horned cows for crossing. Find some commercial Longhorns that will probably have smaller and shorter horns and they will do the trick for you. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[stocky]

Rustler, Thanks, I am happy with them. I will get to work on getting some pics to get them posted

 

[aplusmnt]

We live in extreme south east corner, I am sure it could be different if you are out in Western Kansas. Usually it is not dry here we are just being hit like other areas with this draught, And thankfully not as hard hit as some other areas not to far away.

Within the few mile sections around us you will see Simmental, Angus, Herefords, Brangus, Maine, Red Poll, Limmi and Gelbvieh.

Most breeds seem to do good in our area. But hands down the Black Baldy is the Cow of choice I would have to say. The do good in the pasture and good at the Sale Barn. Hard to beat a Baldy!

 

[smart_slider]

thanx, but we are kinda in the Wichita area.... we are just doing some research for now... thanx again everybody,
ss

 

[andybob]

If you want polled, and plain coloured cattle with beef conformation add this link to your research, there are pictures as well as information, and several American links;
http://www.tuli.co.za

 

[BAGTIC]

Galloways are good foragers and have a good reputation for cold weather. They seem to be most common in the upper plains states and Canada.

Are there any Galloway breeders on this board? I would like the opinion of someone who raises them, especially a commercial rancher.

 

[VanC]

Galloways are good foragers and have a good reputation for cold weather. They seem to be most common in the upper plains states and Canada.

Are there any Galloway breeders on this board? I would like the opinion of someone who raises them, especially a commercial rancher.

I know there are a couple on here, but can't remember who. Maybe if you start another thread you'll get some takers.