linbul
Member
Hello there! Let me tell you how I admire that board and all the helpfull information shared here... :clap:
It's gonna be a long post, but I'd like to give all the initial information needed for a right answer. My native language is not English so please excuse some misunderstandings.
First, the question: Is it Angus the right breed for us?
The conditions:
- we are in Bulgaria, the Balkans, Europe. Our region is somewhat similar to Virginia as a climate/landscape.
- we have a farm in the lowlands, where we feeded dairy calves for slaughter. Recently we bought a high mountain farm buildings to start Cow/calf beef operation. The distance between them is about 40 miles.
- due to wrong politics in the country about 90% of the cattle is dairy, mostly Jerseys and crosses. The demand for beef is very high, but the industry is not developed - no sale barns, no breeders, no feeders, no grading system. The sales are mostly direct to packers.
- the farm is at about 4800ft, on top of mountain, slightly sloped hills.
- the pasture is public land over 12,000 acres, not shared. The grass is about 80% brome, lush during April - September. No crops seeding is allowed, but hay cropping is okay. Fencing is not possible.
- we have heavy snow above 3ft from January till end of March. At that time the cattle will be in the farm buildings, feeded with hay.
- the labor cost is neglectable, but there are not many people around.
The plan:
- buyng small number of Angus heifers from Germany and starting of herd multiplication and improvement over the years reaching over 300 cows. Selling only the steers on 14-18 months age.
- after the first stage we are going to cross with terminal sire from Limousin breed and keep fullblood Angus only for replacements.
- due to conditions above we are limiting the grain usage to minimum.
The questions:
- which is really the best maternal beef breed for pasture handling? I know the question is arguable, but anyway what are the oppinions...
- how is the grass feeding and finishing affecting the qualities of the meat? There is no "grassfed niche" market here, so the question is about the real qualities.
- one of our main problems is the lack of fence. Does Angus cattle have a "flock" instinct (keeping together)? If not, which is the breed with such behavior?
Thanks in advance. Sorry if some/all os the questions are discussed before...
Edit: total area changed. wrong conversion
It's gonna be a long post, but I'd like to give all the initial information needed for a right answer. My native language is not English so please excuse some misunderstandings.
First, the question: Is it Angus the right breed for us?
The conditions:
- we are in Bulgaria, the Balkans, Europe. Our region is somewhat similar to Virginia as a climate/landscape.
- we have a farm in the lowlands, where we feeded dairy calves for slaughter. Recently we bought a high mountain farm buildings to start Cow/calf beef operation. The distance between them is about 40 miles.
- due to wrong politics in the country about 90% of the cattle is dairy, mostly Jerseys and crosses. The demand for beef is very high, but the industry is not developed - no sale barns, no breeders, no feeders, no grading system. The sales are mostly direct to packers.
- the farm is at about 4800ft, on top of mountain, slightly sloped hills.
- the pasture is public land over 12,000 acres, not shared. The grass is about 80% brome, lush during April - September. No crops seeding is allowed, but hay cropping is okay. Fencing is not possible.
- we have heavy snow above 3ft from January till end of March. At that time the cattle will be in the farm buildings, feeded with hay.
- the labor cost is neglectable, but there are not many people around.
The plan:
- buyng small number of Angus heifers from Germany and starting of herd multiplication and improvement over the years reaching over 300 cows. Selling only the steers on 14-18 months age.
- after the first stage we are going to cross with terminal sire from Limousin breed and keep fullblood Angus only for replacements.
- due to conditions above we are limiting the grain usage to minimum.
The questions:
- which is really the best maternal beef breed for pasture handling? I know the question is arguable, but anyway what are the oppinions...
- how is the grass feeding and finishing affecting the qualities of the meat? There is no "grassfed niche" market here, so the question is about the real qualities.
- one of our main problems is the lack of fence. Does Angus cattle have a "flock" instinct (keeping together)? If not, which is the breed with such behavior?
Thanks in advance. Sorry if some/all os the questions are discussed before...
Edit: total area changed. wrong conversion