Longhorn bull to Hereford cows

[Dave]

I have the other situation. Wife didn't buy them for me but I bought 4 longhorns. 1 steer around 650 lb and 3 heifers avg 550. I paid 2k for the 4. Plans were to breed the 3 eat the steer. I am breeding not selling at the market. If I sell anything it will be farm to freezer. I had thought about AI breeding to wagu to help with marbeling but I think the heifers might not like a wagu valve of that size on first calf. I'm thinking angus or herford bull on first calf. Thoughts? Newbe here. I grew up on a dairy and pretty much kicked off at 18 to give farm to my brother. Have not had cattle for 40 years. AI was not sexed or polled when I was on farm but embryos transferred in the 80s on the farm. I have lots of learning to try and make up in next 8-10 mo before breeding. I'm in Va Thanks for the read and allowing me here

Wagyu will give you a smaller calf than an Angus or Hereford. But a longhorn or Wagyu will cost you a lot more to finish than one of the beef breeds. Increase that significantly with a longhorn /Wagyu cross.

 

[kenny thomas]

My dad would roll over in his grave if he knew I had horns on cattle like this and it isn't a Holstein or angus or herford or limozine.

Are you saying these 3 heifers only weigh 550? Im assuming the one on the right is the steer. From the looks of the horns they should be lots bigger than that.

 

[Ky hills]

They look good for longhorns. If your going to sell them as beef then an Angus or Hereford would be good options.
I would probably go with Angus, because at some point your going to likely be selling something at the market or private on the hoof, and an Angus cross will sell some better. Even if it's got white on it's back, and tail as long as it's black it's going to be worth more than if red with a lot of white.

 

[sgreear]

Are you saying these 3 heifers only weigh 550? Im assuming the one on the right is the steer. From the looks of the horns they should be lots bigger than that.

It's is a guess on weight and you are correct. Everything in pic was born this year except the steer. The steer is full blood sibling to white heifer. I would have thought the steer would have been bigger as well. At one point he was rodeoed (roped). Maybe it stunted his growth. Idk. I am fig 3 yrs old to butcher and 2 yrs to breed heifers I appreciate the reply

 

[sgreear]

Wagyu will give you a smaller calf than an Angus or Hereford. But a longhorn or Wagyu will cost you a lot more to finish than one of the beef breeds. Increase that significantly with a longhorn /Wagyu cross.

They will def take much longer and time is money. I will more than likely grass feed them untill close to 3 yrs is my thinking. Honestly I think the Japanese wagu is stupid. I would taste one but would want one because of fat. From what I read wagu fat is better for you than commercial steer fat. I'm ok with time to finish. Thanks for your post and appreciate more input. I would never breed back LH. Idk if I will even like LH beef that I am raising. At 3 yr old on grass I hope to get a little marbeling

 

[sgreear]

Wagyu will give you a smaller calf than an Angus or Hereford. But a longhorn or Wagyu will cost you a lot more to finish than one of the beef breeds. Increase that significantly with a longhorn /Wagyu cross.

The only reason I said Angus first calf was calving ease on a smaller heifer. The wagu I looked at said 60-70lb. Most of the Angus I have seen is 40-50. For sure Angus finish in a little more than half the time and time is money. From what I read spitting out a wagu. Keeping the calf alive is the issue. I looked at select sires what we used to get semen for Holstein. Again ima newbe not expert

 

[kenny thomas]

It's is a guess on weight and you are correct. Everything in pic was born this year except the steer. The steer is full blood sibling to white heifer. I would have thought the steer would have been bigger as well. At one point he was rodeoed (roped). Maybe it stunted his growth. Idk. I am fig 3 yrs old to butcher and 2 yrs to breed heifers I appreciate the reply

I have raised a few longhorns for 20+ years so i have seen a few. Im guessing the steer to be close to 3 year old. You state the heifers were born this year. A longhorn heifer with horns that long at less than a year will be a high seller by adult. If i was buying i would think the heifers are close to or over 2 year old and the steer way more.
But that wasnt your question, if your going to breed them to sell freezer beef breed to something with great growth potential. You wont have to worry about calving ease. They will have the calf.
You mention grass fed at 3 years old. So your at least 4 to 5 years away. Breed them next year, calve the next year, then 3 year to slaughter. Long wait with a lot of expenses.

 

[kenny thomas]

The only reason I said Angus first calf was calving ease on a smaller heifer. The wagu I looked at said 60-70lb. Most of the Angus I have seen is 40-50. For sure Angus finish in a little more than half the time and time is money. From what I read spitting out a wagu. Keeping the calf alive is the issue. I looked at select sires what we used to get semen for Holstein. Again ima newbe not expert

An angus being born at 40 to 50 lb would be considered a midget here. A good angus calf should weigh 70 at least at birth.

 

[sgreear]

I have raised a few longhorns for 20+ years so i have seen a few. Im guessing the steer to be close to 3 year old. You state the heifers were born this year. A longhorn heifer with horns that long at less than a year will be a high seller by adult. If i was buying i would think the heifers are close to or over 2 year old and the steer way more.
But that wasnt your question, if your going to breed them to sell freezer beef breed to something with great growth potential. You wont have to worry about calving ease. They will have the calf.
You mention grass fed at 3 years old. So your at least 4 to 5 years away. Breed them next year, calve the next year, then 3 year to slaughter. Long wait with a lot of expenses. Noi onl

I have raised a few longhorns for 20+ years so i have seen a few. Im guessing the steer to be close to 3 year old. You state the heifers were born this year. A longhorn heifer with horns that long at less than a year will be a high seller by adult. If i was buying i would think the heifers are close to or over 2 year old and the steer way more.
But that wasnt your question, if your going to breed them to sell freezer beef breed to something with great growth potential. You wont have to worry about calving ease. They will have the calf.
You mention grass fed at 3 years old. So your at least 4 to 5 years away. Breed them next year, calve the next year, then 3 year to slaughter. Long wait with a lot of expenses.

he told me that the steer was 9 mo older that his sister. I really smelled a rat there. I would never bought the LH unless. The price was what it was. I wanted angus or black white face. But $3+ vs .75 cents drew me in. He gave me a card with dates written on it and I w Brenda arrived at Scotts rentalasnt sure it was legit but for $ I will ore than likely breed Angus and Hereford was because they are gentike and I don't like chasing cattle and the color of the 2 red ones. I appreciate your age est. I have had for 3 months and have seen a little sign of coming in heat. I fig more playing than riding because I thought they were younger. I want calves to be born in spring so I have missed that window. So you are saying both are ready to butcher and breed?

 

[Travlr]

I had thought about AI breeding to wagu to help with marbeling but I think the heifers might not like a wagu valve of that size on first calf. I'm thinking angus or herford bull on first calf. Thoughts?

From what I've been led to believe over the many years, longhorns are easy calving. Both from the bull side and the cow side. Small narrow heads and smooth shoulders from the bull, and great hips for calving from the cow/heifer. So within reason, I'd think you could breed to most anything.

 

[sgreear]

From what I've been led to believe over the many years, longhorns are easy calving. Both from the bull side and the cow side. Small narrow heads and smooth shoulders from the bull, and great hips for calving from the cow/heifer. So within reason, I'd think you could breed to most anything.

I have herd that 90-95 % unassisted birthing on LH is average. Bad genes for that done worked it out yrs ago on range where there wa no body to help. What are ur thoughts on best taste for what u see? With 50% LH on grass what do u see/gustimate finishing times on options?

 

[kenny thomas]

Age wise yes i think so, to breed. I love grain fed longhorn but the ropping steer will take a while on grass. I like them to weigh 1200 at slaughter and its more economical to kill a beef breed instead. At .75 they are a steal no matter.

 

[sgreear]

I have raised a few longhorns for 20+ years so i have seen a few. Im guessing the steer to be close to 3 year old. You state the heifers were born this year. A longhorn heifer with horns that long at less than a year will be a high seller by adult. If i was buying i would think the heifers are close to or over 2 year old and the steer way more.
But that wasnt your question, if your going to breed them to sell freezer beef breed to something with great growth potential. You wont have to worry about calving ease. They will have the calf.
You mention grass fed at 3 years old. So your at least 4 to 5 years away. Breed them next year, calve the next year, then 3 year to slaughter. Long wait with a lot of expenses. Noi onl

I have raised a few longhorns for 20+ years so i have seen a few. Im guessing the steer to be close to 3 year old. You state the heifers were born this year. A longhorn heifer with horns that long at less than a year will be a high seller by adult. If i was buying i would think the heifers are close to or over 2 year old and the steer way more.
But that wasnt your question, if your going to breed them to sell freezer beef breed to something with great growth potential. You wont have to worry about calving ease. They will have the calf.
You mention grass fed at 3 years old. So your at least 4 to 5 years away. Breed them next year, calve the next year, then 3 year to slaughter. Long wait with a lot of expenses.

he told me that the steer was 9 mo older that his sister. I really smelled a rat there. I would never bought the LH unless. The price was what it was. I wanted angus or black white face. But $3+ vs .75 cents drew me in. He gave me a card with dates written on it and I wasn't sure it was legit but for $ I would buy again. I will more than likely breed Angus or Hereford was because they are gentle and I don't like chasing cattle and the color of the 2 red ones. I appreciate your age est. I have had for 3 months and have seen a little sign of coming in heat. I fig more playing than riding because I thought they were younger.

 

[kenny thomas]

I have herd that 90-95 % unassisted birthing on LH is average. Bad genes for that done worked it out yrs ago on range where there wa no body to help. What are ur thoughts on best taste for what u see? With 50% LH on grass what do u see/gustimate finishing times on options?

I have had 100% unassisted birthing. With any breed there can always be a calf coming wrong or something. You stated correctly that the bad genes were worked out long ago.
You ask about grass fed, why grass fed?
You said you are in Virginia i think. What part of Virginia?

 

[Travlr]

I have herd that 90-95 % unassisted birthing on LH is average. Bad genes for that done worked it out yrs ago on range where there wa no body to help. What are ur thoughts on best taste for what u see? With 50% LH on grass what do u see/gustimate finishing times on options?

Best taste? I have a pretty cultivated palate and between the variations in individuals and feeding I've never noticed any "breed" differences that could be reliably expected. And I've never finished a longhorn so have no experience. What I have put in my own freezer is raised on grass with minimal supplemental grain. Animals that were chosen due to being easy keepers and prone to putting on fat without much feed.

Click on your profile and put in a location so everyone doesn't have to ask. We all like knowing where people are.

 

[sgreear]

An angus being born at 40 to 50 lb would be considered a midget here. A good angus calf should weigh 70 at least at birth.

My dad bred all his Holstein heifers to angus for calving ease. It makes sence he go one with genes to throw a small calf. They just fell out of the Holsteins. I guess I am learning what pops did he never told me about. Thanks

 

[kenny thomas]

Best taste? I have a pretty cultivated palate and between the variations in individuals and feeding I've never noticed any "breed" differences that could be reliably expected. And I've never finished a longhorn so have no experience. What I have put in my own freezer is raised on grass with minimal supplemental grain. Animals that were chosen due to being easy keepers and prone to putting on fat without much feed.

To my taste there is a slight difference in taste fir a longhorn. We like it. But it takes a lot longer to get them a decent finish. Same with a jersey. The easy keepers cost less to finish for sure.

 

[sgreear]

Best taste? I have a pretty cultivated palate and between the variations in individuals and feeding I've never noticed any "breed" differences that could be reliably expected. And I've never finished a longhorn so have no experience. What I have put in my own freezer is raised on grass with minimal supplemental grain. Animals that were chosen due to being easy keepers and prone to putting on fat without much feed.

Click on your profile and put in a location so everyone doesn't have to ask. We all like knowing where people are.

 

[sgreear]

The beef I grew up on was Holstein and ran with milk cows I didn't mean taste of long horn but the cross options. The steer is what it is and I can only change that with feed. Yes it is a long way before I butcher a calf I don't want to mess it up

 

[kenny thomas]

Remember that a ropping steer has had minimal food most of its life. Even grass or hay. They dont want them growing up fast. That being said it takes them a while to start growing well compared to a longhorn grown on feed and not roped.