Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Herefords. How soon we forget!
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support CattleToday:
Message
<blockquote data-quote="greenwillowhereford II" data-source="post: 497742" data-attributes="member: 7439"><p>I agree with much of what you are saying-to a point. No, frankly my grandpa's Herefords did not have bad udders and prolapses, or bad feet. There was the occasional pinkeye and cancer eye, far more pinkeye than cancer eye. Pinkeye is actually more of a management problem. Case in point (and knock on wood) a couple of years ago, the neighboring Angus/Angus cross herd had several cases of pinkeye, and my Herefords have never had it-yet.</p><p></p><p>I believe that most of the problems you mentioned were actually more prevalent among some single trait selection bloodlines AFTER the decline had already started. I don't believe the real range ruling Herefords had bad feet and a bunch of prolapses. What happened IMO, was when we were so dominant, there was such a demand for Hereford genetics that we stopped culling like we should have, and bulls that should have been cut were not, etc. THEN these problems started creeping in, and hurt our reputation. Also, as more and more pastures were fenced, there was less open range, and more controlled management, better facilities and barns, the need for Hereford genetics that were the most rugged range cattle in the world for winter survivability was not as desperate. Old timers tell me that back in the open range days, when cattle had to survive winters in the open and mostly on their own, that a blizzard would leave 20-30% of all other breeds alive, while 80% of Herefords would survive. </p><p></p><p>Also, the most problem free bloodline and herd of cattle I know of anywhere are the Hazletts of Richard Day. They have 40 or 50 years of careful linebreeding and stern culling behind them. Cows last 16 years regularly, pinkeye and cancer eye is nearly unheard of, feet and udders are ideal, never yet heard of one of his cows prolapsing, and weaning weights up to 700#. Commercial breeders quickly snatch up all his sale bulls every year. There are waiting lists for any heifers he might turn loose of. All the old bloodlines are not bad.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="greenwillowhereford II, post: 497742, member: 7439"] I agree with much of what you are saying-to a point. No, frankly my grandpa's Herefords did not have bad udders and prolapses, or bad feet. There was the occasional pinkeye and cancer eye, far more pinkeye than cancer eye. Pinkeye is actually more of a management problem. Case in point (and knock on wood) a couple of years ago, the neighboring Angus/Angus cross herd had several cases of pinkeye, and my Herefords have never had it-yet. I believe that most of the problems you mentioned were actually more prevalent among some single trait selection bloodlines AFTER the decline had already started. I don't believe the real range ruling Herefords had bad feet and a bunch of prolapses. What happened IMO, was when we were so dominant, there was such a demand for Hereford genetics that we stopped culling like we should have, and bulls that should have been cut were not, etc. THEN these problems started creeping in, and hurt our reputation. Also, as more and more pastures were fenced, there was less open range, and more controlled management, better facilities and barns, the need for Hereford genetics that were the most rugged range cattle in the world for winter survivability was not as desperate. Old timers tell me that back in the open range days, when cattle had to survive winters in the open and mostly on their own, that a blizzard would leave 20-30% of all other breeds alive, while 80% of Herefords would survive. Also, the most problem free bloodline and herd of cattle I know of anywhere are the Hazletts of Richard Day. They have 40 or 50 years of careful linebreeding and stern culling behind them. Cows last 16 years regularly, pinkeye and cancer eye is nearly unheard of, feet and udders are ideal, never yet heard of one of his cows prolapsing, and weaning weights up to 700#. Commercial breeders quickly snatch up all his sale bulls every year. There are waiting lists for any heifers he might turn loose of. All the old bloodlines are not bad. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Cattle Boards
Breeds Board
Herefords. How soon we forget!
Top