Registered Herd

[SWIA Farms]

I have been kicking the idea of starting slowly into a registered herd. We have always been Black Angus commercial cattle running purebred bulls. I like the breed, family has been at it for four generations and don't plan on jumping out, but I just look at all the different breeders contributing to the breed that it would be extremely difficult to get a name/reputation as a registered breeder without 30+ years of marketing and breeding and I would hope to be pushing retirement by then....hope. I like the registered road because of the rewards of improved genetic lineage. I like the accountability and numbers behind the animals, and the challenge to improve the breed.

I have always been interested in the different breeds of cattle outside of Angus. Some of the more common breeds of Charolais, Simmental, Red Angus, and Shorthorns catch my interest, but also Devon, Murray Grey, Irish Black, Wagyu and some others would bring something different to the table that could be an rewarding journey.

My goal would be to contribute to a breed in my lifetime, and make it better than when I started. I guess my question would be along the lines of direction. Are some breeds looking for more breeders? Is finding a market just too cost prohibitive? Beyond just the love for an animals, is there room for $$ opportunity? Anything anyone can contribute would be interesting.

Thank you!

 

[ALACOWMAN]

Definitely something beside Black Angus... You got a """whole lot""of folks to compete with..and that's is the problem...people pushing and pushing for better..instead of staying in the middle of the road, they like to ride the line..

 

[SWIA Farms]

Well I should rephrase my comment about improving the breed. I don't mean it as pushing for bigger/better, I look at it as more of a improvement of longevity, feet, carcass, and more importantly stability and quality. Good sound cattle.

 

[Bestoutwest]

Even if you do Angus, there's a market for registered cattle. Craig's List allows for that. You won't get $10K for a bull, but I see a lot of folks selling on there for quite a bit above sale barn prices. Also, there are state and region specific organizations that have yearly sales. In Idaho we have the Gem State Classic that any Idaho Angus Association member can sell in. You won't sell one for the same money that the big name folks do, but it's still above sale barn. There's several on here that aren't huge operations that do purebred. Fire Sweep and Bright Raven come to mind. They do Simmental, but same idea.

 

[WalnutCrest]

One of the things I wanted to do when I was getting started was to find one or two breeds of really great cattle (regardless of aesthetic considerations like color)...that also were low in numbers.

Fewer people doing it = more opportunity for impact.

 

[SWIA Farms]

WalnutCrest- That is somewhat my thinking also. Just out of curiosity what one or two breeds with low numbers peek your interest?

 

[Cada22]

I hope to get into the same deal here with Fleckvieh. They are a huge breed worldwide, but not big here in AL

 

[WalnutCrest]

WalnutCrest- That is somewhat my thinking also. Just out of curiosity what one or two breeds with low numbers peek your interest?

Check my signature ... Aubrac and Mashona.

 

[Backbone Ranch]

If you really want to be able to be competitive with other breeders without breaking the bank, you ideally need to raise a breed that isn't as common that still has the characteristics that you desire. You need to have a goal in mind for your breeding program and know how you plan to market your stock. We raise Murray Greys and direct-market grass-fed beef in addition to selling breeding stock. The individuals that we feel are not quite up to par, are put into our beef program, while the rest are either sold or we retain them as replacements for our own herd. Either way, we get above market price for our stock, which improves our bottom line.

I have to second what WalnutCrest said, "Fewer people doing it = more opportunity for impact."

 

[Silver]

Keep in mind that fewer people doing it can make for a harder market to sell into. I always like to try something different than what other folks are doing, but it can be hard to buck that herd mentality.

 

[wbvs58]

Even with a large breed like Angus it is not that difficult to establish a nitch local market for what you produce if you stick with quality, word of mouth travels a long way. If as you say your family has been doing cattle for 4 generations I would assume you would be well known locally, you just have to cultivate the view that you are selling quality at a reasonable price.

Ken

 

[Bullitt]

I have been kicking the idea of starting slowly into a registered herd. We have always been Black Angus commercial cattle running purebred bulls. I like the breed, family has been at it for four generations and don't plan on jumping out, but I just look at all the different breeders contributing to the breed that it would be extremely difficult to get a name/reputation as a registered breeder without 30+ years of marketing and breeding and I would hope to be pushing retirement by then....hope. I like the registered road because of the rewards of improved genetic lineage. I like the accountability and numbers behind the animals, and the challenge to improve the breed.

I have always been interested in the different breeds of cattle outside of Angus. Some of the more common breeds of Charolais, Simmental, Red Angus, and Shorthorns catch my interest, but also Devon, Murray Grey, Irish Black, Wagyu and some others would bring something different to the table that could be an rewarding journey.

My goal would be to contribute to a breed in my lifetime, and make it better than when I started. I guess my question would be along the lines of direction. Are some breeds looking for more breeders? Is finding a market just too cost prohibitive? Beyond just the love for an animals, is there room for $$ opportunity? Anything anyone can contribute would be interesting.

Thank you!

I agree with Backbone Ranch that Murray Grey is a great breed to work with because it is not very common compared to many other breeds, and Murray Grey is reported to have some of the best meat quality.

As you probably know, Murray Grey was created in Australia by combing two of your favorite breeds, Angus and Shorthorn. I think it is important to keep Murray Grey light in color to be different from the black-hided Angus.

 

[SWIA Farms]

Thanks for all the input. I would be curious on how the Murray Grey, Devon, and Shorthorn handle the climate in Iowa of cold winters warm summers. I don't know why I am drawn to these breeds, but I can see all sides. I guess I want to be involved with something that is more than a commercial herd and isn't an epd race. Something a guy can get excited and passionate about. We will see where it goes, may be a little Angus and a little something else. Great to hear you all are involved in some of these breeds and others. Always educational to hear!

 

[Angus Rocks]

I have had commercial cows for about 10 years myself and Dad had them when I was growing up and then about 2 years ago i bought some registered heifers and cows. I purchase cows and heifers from Missouri Nebraska and Ohio that have calved and then probably close to half of them didn't rebreed is that common for moving bred cows into a different environment? For me it looks kinda hard to get my foot in the door I have black and red Angus and trying to go for the feed efficient breeding stock that can survive on the low input and not chase the epd craze. But I might be different in that I have to prove to myself that my stock will work before I sale them to someone else so it might be a couple years before I would advertise. I think everybody has seen the ads on Craigslist and made fun of them and I don't want that name of selling off junk I will band it before that happens.

 

[WalnutCrest]

Thanks for all the input. I would be curious on how the Murray Grey, Devon, and Shorthorn handle the climate in Iowa of cold winters warm summers. I don't know why I am drawn to these breeds, but I can see all sides. I guess I want to be involved with something that is more than a commercial herd and isn't an epd race. Something a guy can get excited and passionate about. We will see where it goes, may be a little Angus and a little something else. Great to hear you all are involved in some of these breeds and others. Always educational to hear!

If I was starting over and wad only going to pick from those three breeds listed, I'd go with MG and wouldn't think twice...and...I'd head down to BBR to pick out some old bred cows to start with ...

 

[Nesikep]

Start off with a really lousy breed, lots of room for improvement then!
I do like BBR's Murray greys.. but I don't know if I could improve on them much!

 

[Stocker Steve]

Thanks for all the input. I would be curious on how the Murray Grey, Devon, and Shorthorn handle the climate in Iowa of cold winters warm summers.

No MG in this area. You could be a stand alone. Goggle for breed associations and shows.
Devon are becoming somewhat popular in upper mid west for grass fed, or for a maternal cross. Could be easier to sell. You should look at them as a marketing example. I have had positive experiences with commercial Devon.
Limited SH here, they tend to be show orientated, and chromed up culls get docked hard as the sales barn. I have not had positive experiences with commercial SH.

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

I know Devon's would do fine in Iowa. I've got a friend with 15 cows here is SW Michigan and they do fine in our winters, which I'm guessing is very close to yours. He's a grass fed operation and sells every animal to the local market with no problems.

 

[Bestoutwest]

One thing to think about when going with something that's not in your area is ease of getting new genetics. I started with Longhorn and I am transitioning to Angus. Most of it is that LH don't gain weight for anything, but also, there are very, very few breeders locally (and all running similar bloodlines) and getting new genetics is difficult. Driving 16 hours one way to get a new cow or bull is not my idea of fun, nor does it really work financially for me. The closest embryo facility near me is 4 hours each way. However, there is a local (19 miles away) vet that does AI. Our local semen rep carries a lot of Angus. To buy a tank, maintain it, and then relying on UPS/FedEx to ship it around, safely, for new genetics is not something I'm interested in. I don't see that expense as panning out in the long run. However, that might not matter to you or it might work for you. Also, there are a ton of Angus breeders within 4 hours that have different bloodlines. I don't mind running the same thing as the big guys, because I'm not going to entertain the idea of playing in their league, I'll never be able to. Instead, I'm going Angus to get good, solid animals locally and easily that will transcribe to a strong freezer beef market. And I'll have a strong market to sell heifers. In the long run, if this doesn't pan out, I can run is Simmental bull over the top of my cows and become on of the very few Simmental guys in Idaho. This is my 2 cents on what I'm doing and why. Doesn't mean it will work for everyone, or even anyone else. But this is the direction we're planning on going.

Good luck!

 

[Son of Butch]

I have been kicking the idea of starting slowly into a registered herd. We have always been Black Angus commercial
cattle running purebred bulls. I like the breed, family has been at it for four generations....

I have always been interested in the different breeds of cattle outside of Angus. Some of the more common breeds of Charolais, Simmental, Red Angus, and Shorthorns catch my interest, but also Devon, Murray Grey, Irish Black, Wagyu
and some others would bring something different to the table that could be an rewarding journey.

I would start by contacting various breed associations for more information.
Breeds such as Simmental have breed up programs which would give you lower start up costs by using your existing
herd.

Devons are 2 distinct breeds. Red Devons USA and South Devons of North America
Red Devon assoc. is seeking breeders committed to keeping their breed pure.

South Devons have a few Blacks in their registry.... I don't know if they have a breed up program
IF they do.... I'd certainly favor them over MG, Shorthorn or Red Devons for ease of start up.
Leachman Cattle Co. run South Devons as their 4th breed - Angus - Red Angus - Charolais - South Devon

IF you do start a registered herd, I hope you will keep this forum updated as to your experiences doing so.
Best of Luck.