:roll:
You have got to be kidding me.
Someone resurrects this post for a different reason, and yet people start saying the same things over again, things that have already been said on this thread.
So . . . I will reply again.
Dun:
I just must be slow. I still can;t figure out what the point is in recreating belt buckle cattle.
The biggest factor making beef-type Dexters, Lowlines, Square Meaters and other such small cattle profitable, sustainable and relevant to the industry is this: yes, the majority of markets in Australia call for a larger animal. BUT, our domestic (supermarket and restauraunt) market calls for a small carcase with adequate fat and marbling. The thing is, with 'normal' cattle, at the lower weight it is hard to get the finish on them, and the marbling. So you either get the weight right but not enough fat and marble, or you get the fat and marble right but the carcase is too heavy. Where these small breeds excel is that, at weaning time the calves are just the right size for the market, and being smaller framed they tend to be earlier maturing, so that they have the correct finish and marble too. You can turn the calves straight off the cow, or shortly after weaning, with minimal extra feed, and hit the markets specs exactly.
Other promoted 'advantages' include easier to handle (debatable), do not need as much space so can be stocked at higher rates, thereby increasing production per hectare, for the same reason are ideal for smaller properties, and the calves are smaller (easier for smaller people/women to pull and carry).
People always compare small breeds to belt buckle animals of the past.
Belt buckle bull
Belt buckle female
Compare these with the Lowline bull posted. The only similarity I see is that they are both black.
Mike:
The market is asking for 800-1000 lb. Choice carcasses with YG 1's & 2's.
As I mentioned above, the main markets are not the only markets.
Avalon:
I do not care for dwarf cattle
They are not dwarves. Dwarfism is characterised by having a large head out of proportion to the body. Lowlines and other small breeds have heads in proportion to their body. Compare to the description and pictures in this link.
http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/pdfs/bch/01900.pdf
WAguy:
do you know why this bull has won so many shows if he is so poor? What is going on in Australia with the judging?
I already responded to this as well. In Australia we have many small, one day local shows. Cattle entries usually total around fifty, but some only get 10 or so head. Most of these shows are now starting to be judged as interbreed, but some of them still hold classes for each breed. So this bull could be taken along, he would be the only Lowline there, and he would be given the ribbons for Junior Champion Bull, Grand Champion Bull and Supreme Lowline Exhibit. In the same way, it is highly likely my Angoras will be the only ones exhibited at Henty, The Rock and Wagga shows this year, so afterwards I would (theoretically) be able to advertise my buck as Champion Angora Buck at Henty Show, Supreme Exhibit at Wagga and Grand Champion Male at The Rock show. But it doesnt really mean anything, does it? In contrast, a friends doe was Supreme Exhibit at a royal show a few years ago, beating 80 other animals. But if the two were advertised together, you wouldnt be able to differentiate. To find out if his show wins are significant, you need to know what shows he was exhibited at, and how many cattle were exhibited in the breed.
