Registered Herd

[NonTypicalCPA]

My buddies herd is red Devon. Another option would be belted galloway, which is what I have. Excellent beef, medium frame, good mothers, friendly disposition.

 

[cbcr]

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.

I agree with Son of Butch. If you have good cows that are raising good quality calves, breeding up is a good option. If you have kept records of the breeding of your cows, then you have some knowledge of the breeding in your cows. If so, then even being able to sell some 1/2 blood animals for breeding animals is possible. It will take 3 crosses to get to a purebred animal 87.5%. Some Associations such as Charolais require more generations to be considered purebred, 7/8 for females and 15/16 for males.

 

[SWIA Farms]

I will have to look into the breed up programs more. We just got a 50/50 Angus/Sim Bull to try this year to see if we can get any heterosis, even though it would not be as much as a 100% Sim...not stepping outside comfort zone too far. One of my biggest tasks this year and next is starting to put some numbers behind the animals we have. Dad has a great eye for cattle, been doing it his whole life, but last 10-15 years he just knows which cows are his best. No individual BW, WW, YW, or Ratios to work with. He just knows his herd, I hope I will be there one day too. I swear if none of them had any tags left he would be able to give me an oral history on each one still!

I am coming up with some good ideas. You might see me with some MG's in a couple years. Probably sticking a little closer to start with registered BA or just work some AI into the commercial herd. I know of a few local breeders that might be willing to give me some pointers to get going. Then maybe move into a second breed. Who knows when or if the kids get to showing I might have a little bit of everything. Scariest thing I have going is a 3 month old girl. Who knows what I will be buying her down the road. I might have to make that 16 hour drive - bestoutwest -