Red angus heifers

[fnfarms1]

I have mentioned moving toward predominantly red angus herd. Plan is to use a 2 bull tandem. Red angus to keep heifers etc, black simmi bull to keeping those black hides that sell and grow so well for my butcher beef sales. So i bought 8 red angus heifers( kept 1 of my own that fits well into the group). I am going to need to purchase a red angus bull. Local guy(30-45mins away) has come recommended for his red angus cattle. Until i can go look at them, any suggestions of bloodlines to focus on for avoid?
Traits im looking for-
Calving ease(need live calves but im a guy that believes in 70-80lb calves). More concerned with CE than BW.

Growth in case they are retained for beef and hopefully translates to calves in retained heifers.

Docile is important in heifers especially but all my cattle.

Fertility which is bit obvious. But over all outstanding female maker bull

 

[Brute 23]

Will you have enough momma cows that you need 2 bulls no matter what?

If you will entertain me for a moment, consider maybe running the black bull first. Prove the fertility of the heifers, keep data on calf growth with the same sire, and cash those checks. Then maybe roll him in a few years for a red or split the cows that are proven to make heifers.

From experience, you don't want a bunch of heifers in your pasture out of a cow just to find out she can't go the distance.

I love those redheads!

 

[fnfarms1]

Will you have enough momma cows that you need 2 bulls no matter what?

If you will entertain me for a moment, consider maybe running the black bull first. Prove the fertility of the heifers, keep data on calf growth with the same sire, and cash those checks. Then maybe roll him in a few years for a red or split the cows that are proven to make heifers.

From experience, you don't want a bunch of heifers in your pasture out of a cow just to find out she can't go the distance.

I love those redheads!

I should have added that i feel like they look alittle rough. Its a friend of my dads that kind of started this red angus trend of mine. Hes got probably the best set of red angus cows ive seen. They originally came from northern KS 15yrs ago and hes just made his own replacements using best red angus bulls he could source local. Hes run short on hay and these got weaned and run back with cows trying to save hay and feed. He feeds hay every 3rd day and feed one of the days between. Said heifers were getting beat back off hay/feed but was trying to get through until i ask for heifers. Said this might help us both. So i feel they will only get better if i baby them alittle without over doing it and making them fat, i hate fat heifers. Theyll be ready by May1

My herds 35ish momma cows depending the year. Cant say i "need" 2 bulls. Usually i run bulls on heifers may1-may15. Then turn bulls and heifers out with cows until Aug1. Use 2 bulls to tighten calving season and in theory, insurance against injuries. Before i get correct I also understand that doesnt always work with the bull injury thing. So how do you suggest to make heifers in the next few years? Ive got close to half a herd of 10+yr old cows that im trying to avoid them crapping out before getting replaced. Granted i hope i dont lose all old cows at once.

 

[Brute 23]

That's a tough one. Any chance he would part with more heifers down the road?

I just wanted to point out the possible risk. Keep good paperwork on who is bred to who in case you have to do damage control and cull down the road. Retaining for any thing other than performance can really eat you up down the road.

You will have to find a way to split the herd one way or another. It won't take long for those heifers to be in the main herd and breeding back to their red sire.

Just some things to consider. Good luck.

 

[fnfarms1]

That's a tough one. Any chance he would part with more heifers down the road?

I just wanted to point out the possible risk. Keep good paperwork on who is bred to who in case you have to do damage control and cull down the road. Retaining for any thing other than performance can really eat you up down the road.

You will have to find a way to split the herd one way or another. It won't take long for those heifers to be in the main herd and breeding back to their red sire.

Just some things to consider. Good luck.

Yeah thats the risk of making your own heifers is needing to swap bulls every 2 or 3 years. My vets advice is that you can breed daughters to their sire but dont retain as replacements. Thats one benefit to having one black one red bull, besides the sales benefit to blacks. Considered going all in with 2 red angus but would limit my replacements and require bull swapping often.
Him parting with heifers, yes but wont match these in genetics. He went to hereford bulls and current calves are red baldies. I am a sucker for a good baldie, but in trying to get away from a mixed up herd. Im afraid id be going back down a bad road. Even if with better genetics this time. He said he going hereford for couple years for the sales and back red for replacements after that. Hes an older guy not in great health. Id assume his kids wont continue or at least cut me the deal he did.

 

[fnfarms1]

Brute23
Splitting herd really isnt possible in my setup other than starting with heifers like mentioned. Ideally id pick my top 15 cows to breed red angus and go simmi on rest. But not my reality.

 

[gcreekrch]

Beauty set of heifers!