Let me have it

Joined
Feb 8, 2010
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15
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S.E. Minnesota
OK here is a couple of pics of our new yearling bull and a heifer we bought in march and just got home yesterday.I am posting these to get your feedback and opinions and I have thick skin.The bulls sire is Hoover Dam.We are looking for replacements out of him as the foundation for our future herd so hoping he stacks up for that job.They are in the barn yard now set to go to pasture this weekend.



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He is a lot better than the heifer, but both are very light boned and later maturing than what I think an angus should be. The heifer is very narrow based, lacks spring of rib, is roofy and is cow hocked.
 
KNERSIE":3oy7b5z0 said:
He is a lot better than the heifer, but both are very light boned and later maturing than what I think an angus should be. The heifer is very narrow based, lacks spring of rib, is roofy and is cow hocked.

I love lurking on the forums and seeing how the real cowboys critique cattle. Could you please explain what 'spring of rib, roofy and cow hocked' is? Many thanks!
 
Spring of rib - You want the ribs to come out of the spine more horisontal before it starts to slope down, this will create a bigger barrel that is wider over the top. This is especially significant in the heart girth area. The more capacity there, the more opportunity for optimal heart and lung function. More spring of rib usually also means more rumen capacity meaning the animal can consume more low quality roughage that is slow to digest, so a more roomy animal will be an easier keeper in tough times

Roofy - when looking at an animal from behind you want a more or less level rump, this indicates more muscle and more potential muscle in the case of an animal in lower condition. When there is a significant slope from the tailhead to either side it resembles a roof, hence the term roofy.

Cow hocked - When the hocks of an animal points inwards when seen from behind. It's a structural flaw often seen in narrow based animals.
 
I really like the look of the bull.

while the heifer is not perfect, I don't believe I would be quite as hard on her as Knersie.

I have never seen one yet that could not be picked on in some way....
cause darn few of them are perfect.

what counts is production and soundness in your environment. Can they thrive and produce economically in the environment you provide....

I think you are starting with a pretty good base.
 
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I'm an amateur, but I would say it's one of the better looking angus bulls we see on here.

Don't know if I would diagnose cow-hocked in the heifer from one photo. She could have been pivoting and not yet straightened out her feet.

Years ago I posted a bull photo from Australia that was criticized here as having defective hip and rear leg structure, despite having won many major shows. I finally concluded, based on weeds stuck to his hide and his unit hanging out, the photo was taken right after he got up and he was stretching or playing with himself.

Anyway, more photos are always good.
 
Thank you for the opinions. One of the best part of raising cattle is learning so much every day. Just moved a couple years ago to a farm after 50 years in town. Guess just trying to cross one more thing off the bucket list. Love to lurk here
 
I give credit where its due. I've yet to see one of his evaluations I didn't agree with. Maybe you should learn from him as well and quit registering those brand name crossbreds.
 
Massey135":kbd8pf0n said:
I give credit where its due. I've yet to see one of his evaluations I didn't agree with. Maybe you should learn from him as well and quit registering those brand name crossbreds.


of course you are right. what was i thinking. how could i ever argue with your vast years of experience :tiphat:
 
3waycross":7wzirxe1 said:
Massey135":7wzirxe1 said:
I give credit where its due. I've yet to see one of his evaluations I didn't agree with. Maybe you should learn from him as well and quit registering those brand name crossbreds.


of course you are right. what was i thinking. how could i ever argue with your vast years of experience :tiphat:
No win 3way. You're dealing with the instant expert. Personally I hardly see how "K" could make those claims based on one poor picture. Now maybe is someone set her up perfectly with her feed on a nice little elevated area she would look more perfect.
 
All I did was agree with someone considerably better at appraising cattle than myself. Any vice you have with my agreement should be addressed with knersie.

If you can't tell that cow is cow hocked and slopes from tailhead downward or that the bull is extremely shallow in his heart then as the cliche goes, you needa get out of the cattle business. The lowest point on a bull should be his chest floor, not his gut.
 
I don't know nothing but I get a kick out of people telling others to get out of the cattle business just because they think they know more than someone else. It's always made me laugh.
 
hooknline":mp1dfnzc said:
I don't know nothing but I get a kick out of people telling others to get out of the cattle business just because they think they know more than someone else. It's always made me laugh.
Hook we're pi$$ing in the wind going up against the instant expert.How long you been in the cattle business Massey?? I know you were in Pottsville and in trading securities for a while (so you said) and are now in NE Texas. Seems you had brangus now shorthorn...all in less than 2 years. What gives? Maybe that's how you get to be an instant expert.
 

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