Pondering which direction to go

[Ky hills]

Have been wondering what direction to go. I have had Angus and recently have brought in Hereford and Hereford cross females. Have been using Angus bulls exclusively for several years until this year. I like the calving reliability of Angus, but seems as if the buyers take more of a liking to calves with a little more frame. I recently bought a limousin bull to replace another bull early in the breeding season. I sell bred heifers through a regional sale, and the buyers there seem to like the larger framed heifers too. I know that a lot of folks don't like continental or crosses for cows, but also remember someone on this forum saying that 3/4 British, 1/4 continental was desirable. Would the resulting calves from that percentage be good replacement females?

 

[southernultrablack]

Have you considered Gelbvieh? They do cross well with the Angus genetics.

 

[angus9259]

My experience is that most folks buy what they like the looks of - especially if it's running through a sale barn. I would add limo myself to accomplish that - though I have also heard good things about GV. Add some azz and power - though I'm not sure how much "frame".

 

[southernultrablack]

This is a 50/50 Balancer and her 4 1/2 month old calf.(balancer also) In a drought on less than great pastures to boot. Only get a little mix 30 supplement.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Your limousin bull will work fine.

 

[frieghttrain]

Your limousin bull will work fine.

+1

 

[elkwc]

This is a 50/50 Balancer and her 4 1/2 month old calf.(balancer also) In a drought on less than great pastures to boot. Only get a little mix 30 supplement.

What kind of udder and frame. I ask because we bought a balancer to use that is sired by a top bred bull but so far not impressed. He doesn't have the needed frame and out of a big cow and many of his sisters have less than deisirable udders and their mothers had great udders. I'm sure not sold on Gelveigh yet.

 

[cow pollinater]

I would run your limi bull on the baldie cows and keep those heifers until your pasture is full of them and then switch back to angus bulls and sell every calf.

 

[Boot Jack Bulls]

I would run your limi bull on the baldie cows and keep those heifers until your pasture is full of them and then switch back to angus bulls and sell every calf.

+1

 

[southernultrablack]

This is a 50/50 Balancer and her 4 1/2 month old calf.(balancer also) In a drought on less than great pastures to boot. Only get a little mix 30 supplement.

What kind of udder and frame. I ask because we bought a balancer to use that is sired by a top bred bull but so far not impressed. He doesn't have the needed frame and out of a big cow and many of his sisters have less than deisirable udders and their mothers had great udders. I'm sure not sold on Gelveigh yet.

Here are a couple other pics of her. She is probably a FS 5 or 6 and has nice suspension on of her udder and nice size teats.

 

[thommoos]

I have a GV crossed to my Beefmaster Mommas, frames size has not been an issue, I used a smaller GV frame bull to go from big mommas done just a touch, no calving issues at all. I need to take picture of that meat house on grass only. Best decision ive made in a long time. Not that it matters i got one that was homo-black. next one is going to be a red, hard to get rid of a bull that works, and put money in your pocket at the sale.

 

[frieghttrain]

I have a GV crossed to my Beefmaster Mommas, frames size has not been an issue, I used a smaller GV frame bull to go from big mommas done just a touch, no calving issues at all. I need to take picture of that meat house on grass only. Best decision ive made in a long time. Not that it matters i got one that was homo-black. next one is going to be a red, hard to get rid of a bull that works, and put money in your pocket at the sale.

You do that :)

 

[3waycross]

Gelbvieh's DO NOT increase frame size.............

 

[FlyingLSimmentals]

Had one Register Gelbvieh bull that did add frame but that has been a little while back before we went with Register Simmentals. I agree though most do not and I'm still a big fan of those golden gelbvieh females. Matter of fact I loved the Gelbvieh Simmental crossed calves we had and no they were not large tall frame calves. If there were more Register Gelbvieh herds around probably never would have went Simmental. Think I've said it before them two are my most liked breeds.

 

[3waycross]

Had one Register Gelbvieh bull that did add frame but that has been a little while back before we went with Register Simmentals. I agree though most do not and I'm still a big fan of those golden gelbvieh females. Matter of fact I loved the Gelbvieh Simmental crossed calves we had and no they were not large tall frame calves. If there were more Register Gelbvieh herds around probably never would have went Simmental. Think I've said it before them two are my most liked breeds.

I agree. Have thought a lot about making some Sim/GV commercial bulls instead of Balancers. My friend in Montrose Colo is doing it and they are brutes. Not large framed just meat machines.

 

[Supa Dexta]

Gelbvieh's DO NOT increase frame size.............

The ones I have have more leg under them than I like though. Not sure why they ended up as tall as they are.

 

[3waycross]

Gelbvieh's DO NOT increase frame size.............

The ones I have have more leg under them than I like though. Not sure why they ended up as tall as they are.

Bloodlines!

 

[Supa Dexta]

Oh I know, its just the dams and bulls I was using were pretty normal. Then the calves were showing up 6+ inches taller than their pen mates off other breeds

 

[UG]

In the 70's was when many of the Continental breeds (i.e. Simmental, Limousin, Gelbvieh, Chi's, Blondes, etc.) were first making a big splash in North America. At that time the beef cattle in North America (Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn) on average were smaller framed. However in Europe, where most of these Continental breeds originated, the cattle were much larger framed. Several of the Continental bulls that were first used in North America were 8 frame or larger.

There is still a perception by some that Continental cattle are on average bigger framed that Angus, Hereford, etc. However, I believe that in the past few years MARC has found that on average Angus cattle are larger framed than many of the Continental breeds.

So, I don't think it is accurate to assume that a producer that wants to increase the frame score of his cattle can easily do it by just using a Simmental, Limousin, or Gelbvieh bull. Look at the bull to ensure that he has the frame you desire before you buy him.

 

[angus9259]

I would run your limi bull on the baldie cows and keep those heifers until your pasture is full of them and then switch back to angus bulls and sell every calf.

+1

+2