Mixed Herd

[Anonymous]

We run a small mixed herd and have a few Longhorns. We bred all the cows to a Limousin and the calves were the best we've ever had as far as growth and weaning weight. However, the calves from the Longhorns were a mottled color and sold at a much lower price even though they were just as big as the calves from say our Hereford X Simmental cows. Can anyone explain this?

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[Anonymous]

Longhorns don't have a good reputation for feed efficiency and carcass quality. Anything that is spotted, Longhorn or not, will often be discounted at the sale barns.

> We run a small mixed herd and have
> a few Longhorns. We bred all the
> cows to a Limousin and the calves
> were the best we've ever had as
> far as growth and weaning weight.
> However, the calves from the
> Longhorns were a mottled color and
> sold at a much lower price even
> though they were just as big as
> the calves from say our Hereford X
> Simmental cows. Can anyone explain
> this?

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[Anonymous]

It's true about the coloring of the hair coat can bring a lower price or raise the price. In this area anything that is grey gets a really low price even though that animal can be the best one in the auction ring at the time or if the animal has a black hair coat, it will bring in a good price. Its kind of stupid. In your case, I'd try a homozygous animal (whether you want blacks or reds) that will hopefully bring you a solid color animal and hopefully put more money in your pocket at sale time.

 

[Anonymous]

you should add the milk breeds influenced calves too

> Longhorns don't have a good
> reputation for feed efficiency and
> carcass quality. Anything that is
> spotted, Longhorn or not, will
> often be discounted at the sale
> barns.

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[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. Solid black always brings the best price here too, even if it is a poor looking animal. Doesn't make sense. Part of the cows are bred to a Brangus this time. The other part to a black Angus, but neither bull has the hind quarters the Limousin had. We'll see how we do. Any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

> It's true about the coloring of
> the hair coat can bring a lower
> price or raise the price. In this
> area anything that is grey gets a
> really low price even though that
> animal can be the best one in the
> auction ring at the time or if the
> animal has a black hair coat, it
> will bring in a good price. Its
> kind of stupid. In your case, I'd
> try a homozygous animal (whether
> you want blacks or reds) that will
> hopefully bring you a solid color
> animal and hopefully put more
> money in your pocket at sale time.

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[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

I was told that a lot of round steak come from the hind end and slaughter houses are looking for other steak.

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