Frankie--just a little minor note, the list of traits wasn't really listed in order of importance...though I know I did write something about it being one of the important things in selecting cattle. Since you mentioned it being a bit of a "less important" factor for a
current beef herd, if you go for the audience that does not have a herd and is looking for the best type/quality breeding animals then yes, this trait is very important, and should probably be considered as
the most important factor in selecting new animals for a foundation herd. I hope you see where I'm going...
btw, thanks for the heads-up on the spell checking.
I never really proof-read my posts before I post, but I guess that's going to have to change to make for better reading and a better blog.
mnmt--advice taken.
I know I'll cover temperment on there when I get the chance. As for the last two points, that can be up for debate,
especially the last one. Reason I say this is because there can be a lot of preference when choosing a breed, and sometimes going for black fad isn't always the solution. Some folks like to go for the coloured breeds because either they're tired of seeing the monotony of an all-black herd, or because they just like to have something different to raise that ain't black or, the breed that they choose that isn't black suits their climate/environment better than those breeds that are chasing the black-hided fad. Now I'm not trying to step on any toes here or offend any of you folks that raise black cattle (Angus, Simmi, Brangus, etc.) nor am I "trying" to challenge your advice mnmt, but I'm just stating my opinion. Sometimes, if not often, those breeds that are not going to ring the bell at the salebarn (just because of the colour of their hide), are going to be better for another market, a more niche market, if you will...breeds like Murray Grey or Hereford or Shorthorn or even Speckle Park, among many others...since the conventional way of marketing cattle is going in the crapper as it is already.
Now, I'd better end it here before this turns into a heated (yet entertaining!) debate over black vs. coloured cattle.