Your cross?

[la4angus]

Black and black baldie are in great demand right now.

Black and Black Baldie's have been in more demand than any other breed since I can remember, when I was a kid.
My lifetime membership in the AAA was issued in 1963 and I had graduated from high school at the time, so I am not a newcomer to cattle and cattle markets.

So with this in mind they have not only became popular since the start of CAB in 1978.

 

[cypressfarms]

A friend of mine from North Louisiana called me last night to see if I wanted to go in with him and buy some Charolais bulls. A cattleman he knows has 6 that he's selling so that he can "go black". No thanks. Nothing against Charolais, or any breed. I like em all.

Round here, black is beautiful, and they often bring 20 cents per pound or more just for being black. One of these days someone is going to realize that not every black cow is angus. Til then, go with the flow. Maybe I'm too trendy, but as a cow calf producer, I have to go with what's doing the best. I understand about finding your place and sticking to it, but on a 500 lb. calf 20 cents/lb is $100!

Am I selling out? Yes, to the best price.

 

[J]

I understand about rolling with the flow and producing what the consumers want, I guess I'm just always thinking of how "breeds" were developed and how it would be pretty cool to be the founder of a new breed that performs well in certain situations and enviroments.

I just try to always keep thinking with an open mind. Thanks for the responses, I'm about to leave the computer for the Thanksgiving Holidays so everyone be safe and see ya'll back here next week.

 

[Brandonm2]

Maybe I am just dull; but in a strictly commercial herd I would have a herd of Herford Baldie F1s. Reliable, dependable, easy keeping cows that will produce a calf every year.

Maybe I am not ambitious enough, but we have 40 ~functional breeds and 15-25 niche breeds NOW so I don't see any need for me to create my own Brandon's breed. IF I did have unlimited funds and craved the spotlight, I would probably rather try to be just another elite Hereford breeder or maybe do both registered Herefords AND registered Anguses rather than spend my money trying to convince the world that I know more about cows than they all do.

 

[J]

Maybe I am just dull; but in a strictly commercial herd I would have a herd of Herford Baldie F1s. Reliable, dependable, easy keeping cows that will produce a calf every year.

Remember I was asking for the purposes of if you were selling for freezer beef, not just a calf every year, although that is a really important aspect of the whole picture. Not saying A herd of Hereford Baldie F1's aren't good quality meat but I was just wondering if there was enough time and money to do it waht would you "Experiment with"? Maybe that's how I should have worded this. What would be your experiment to produce a new or better breed/cross?

Maybe a whole new thread here?

 

[ALACOWMAN]

Maybe I am just dull; but in a strictly commercial herd I would have a herd of Herford Baldie F1s. Reliable, dependable, easy keeping cows that will produce a calf every year.

Maybe I am not ambitious enough, but we have 40 ~functional breeds and 15-25 niche breeds NOW so I don't see any need for me to create my own Brandon's breed. IF I did have unlimited funds and craved the spotlight, I would probably rather try to be just another elite Hereford breeder or maybe do both registered Herefords AND registered Anguses rather than spend my money trying to convince the world that I know more about cows than they all do.

I look at it in a simular way not really careing about reinventing the cow but just to produce the best quality i can.

 

[CopeMan]

After posting this I did a little, not much, research on some of the breeds on the Cattle Today, breeds site and one that really caught my eye was the red poll. Going by what is listed about them, thats the all around breed it seems to me. Do any of you have these or ever had them? What's the + & -?

Again judging by what is listed about them that is my pick for which breed will grow in popularity the fastest. OOPS that was another thread.

What might cross good with these?

Bent Tree Farms has a composite breed they created called South Poll. Maybe you could look into them. The farm is owned by the bass player of Alabama, Teddy Gentry. http://www.benttreefarms.com/

 

[Brandonm2]

What could I possible stick in my freezer that would be better than a Black Baldie steer??? I never said I didn't like to experiment; but I would rather experiment with different bulls and cow families in an existing breed than spend my life mongrelizing a set of cows and then trying to pull my ideal cow from that set of critters and then trying to get those animals to breed true. I am not saying that with the money (and thirty years to spend) I couldn't do it; but my question is WHY would I want to?? Maybe I am too tied to the past, but if I was going to spend a fortune and a lifetime breeding cattle, I would rather be seen as one of the great Hereford and/or Angus breeders of my time than be the founder of yet another breed.

 

[la4angus]

Brandonm2 that makes probaly more sense as about anything that was ever stated on these boards.

 

[Australian Cattleman]

I like what we are doing at the moment.
3/4 Brahman 1/4 South Devon cows joined back to either Brahman,South Devon or Hereford.
1/2 Brahman 1/2 Hereford joined to either Hereford or South Devon.
Black Baldy cows joined to Brahman and South Devon.

Colin

 

[LaneFarms]

Best cross has got to be Braford cow and Gelbvieh Bull

 

[purecountry]

OK, I'll be the one to throw a curve ball. Keep in mind - WINTERS.

My ideal cross is Galloway cows with an Angus OR Shorthorn bull. Use the hardiness and hair coat of the Galloway in your cows to gain from their efficiency as much as possible, and blended with the Angus or Shorthorn makes for a damn fine recipe. You can cross those heifers any way you like - exotic or british. They just plain work, in the pasture and on the plate. Pure Galloway beef or cross-bred is good stuff.

Another cross that works good - although it's more 'outlandish' and few people do it - is Highland cows. It don't get any tougher or winter hardy than a Highland, and their beef is second to none. In our 'niche' beef market, the Highland beef sells as its own line separate from the Galloway, and there's an equal amount of demand for both. Highlands can be crossed anyway your heart desires, too. They cross excellent with Limos, Gelbvieh or Hereford.

 

[cypressfarms]

OK, I'll be the one to throw a curve ball.

Pure country, looks like me and you are the only one's out there on the edge for curveballs.

 

[rwtherefords]

What could I possible stick in my freezer that would be better than a Black Baldie steer??? I never said I didn't like to experiment; but I would rather experiment with different bulls and cow families in an existing breed than spend my life mongrelizing a set of cows and then trying to pull my ideal cow from that set of critters and then trying to get those animals to breed true. I am not saying that with the money (and thirty years to spend) I couldn't do it; but my question is WHY would I want to?? Maybe I am too tied to the past, but if I was going to spend a fortune and a lifetime breeding cattle, I would rather be seen as one of the great Hereford and/or Angus breeders of my time than be the founder of yet another breed.

Couldn't have said it better! I'll stick with the black baldies too!

 

[DOC HARRIS]

I personally like black so I would have to say straight black or crossed with a horned or polled hereford bull. Black and black baldie are in great demand right now. Pretty tough cross to beat if you want a little more kick without going continental.

O-o-o-hh K-a-a-a-y! I will now play the "Devil's Advocate" and stir the MUD from the bottom of the "Stuck-on-Stupid" cauldron and ask everyone who has proposed their well-thought-out and carefully- analyzed Breeding Programs - -"Have you really investigated the characteristics of all the breeds available on the Cattle Today 'Breeds' menu, and have you studied the philosophy of increased Heterosis through cross-breediing, and, if so, why would you suggest "- - -without going continental?"

Interested in hearing the answers!

DOC HARRIS

 

[badroute]

The reason I refuse to go Continental is that there is not a very good selection of Continental bulls in my area. The Continental bulls that are up here are hard keepers and shotgunned bodied animals. Plus the cows get too big and lanky for my liking. I dont know if I've seen a cow of Continental breeding around here that is a deep broody cow. Since I dont like what I see I dont want to go down that road.

 

[DOC HARRIS]

The reason I refuse to go Continental is that there is not a very good selection of Continental bulls in my area. The Continental bulls that are up here are hard keepers and shotgunned bodied animals. Plus the cows get too big and lanky for my liking. I dont know if I've seen a cow of Continental breeding around here that is a deep broody cow. Since I dont like what I see I dont want to go down that road.

Badroute- That is one of the factors that is so terrific about today's Breeding Choices! There are so many choices for Genetics available that you don't have to 'buy in your area'. The "world" is your oyster - USE it to your advantage. Investigate, probe, pry, ask, read ,learn, think and realize what is possible for your future and your herd! ;-)

DOC HARRIS

 

[badroute]

Doc,
I am not trying to be totally closed minded about not using different genetics, but if I cant find something within a four state region that I like or can afford than I am doing myself no justice considering I can buy excellent Angus and Hereford bulls right here in Montana. I do AI but I do that for the females and as far as that goes I want them all to be of one color and breed in order to simplify my crossbreeding system. I want to know exactly what I am getting, no surprises. In the cattle industry it seems most surprises are not pleasant surprises.

 

[DOC HARRIS]

Doc,
I am not trying to be totally closed minded about not using different genetics, but if I cant find something within a four state region that I like or can afford than I am doing myself no justice considering I can buy excellent Angus and Hereford bulls right here in Montana. I do AI but I do that for the females and as far as that goes I want them all to be of one color and breed in order to simplify my crossbreeding system. I want to know exactly what I am getting, no surprises. In the cattle industry it seems most surprises are not pleasant surprises.

I understand.

DOC HARRIS

 

[Brandonm2]

I personally like black so I would have to say straight black or crossed with a horned or polled hereford bull. Black and black baldie are in great demand right now. Pretty tough cross to beat if you want a little more kick without going continental.

O-o-o-hh K-a-a-a-y! I will now play the "Devil's Advocate" and stir the MUD from the bottom of the "Stuck-on-Stupid" cauldron and ask everyone who has proposed their well-thought-out and carefully- analyzed Breeding Programs - -"Have you really investigated the characteristics of all the breeds available on the Cattle Today 'Breeds' menu, and have you studied the philosophy of increased Heterosis through cross-breediing, and, if so, why would you suggest "- - -without going continental?"

Interested in hearing the answers!

DOC HARRIS

In the last 28 years here (between me and my Grandfather), we have used Charolais, Simmental, Pinzgauer, Santa Gertrudis, and Texas Longhorn bulls in addition to our normal Herefords and Anguses. On the female side we have owned (at least 1) Charolais/Hereford cross cows, Pinzgauer/Herefords, Angus/CharxHerf, straight Simmentals, straight Pinzgauers, straight Senepols, straight Herefords, straight Anguses, Senepol x Herefords, Black Baldies, Pinzgauer x Angus, Pinz/pinzxHerf, Pinz/CharxHerf, Pinz/AngxCharxHerf, Herf/PinzxHerf, Herf/PinzxAng, Brahman x Angus, Pinz/BrahxAngus, Herf/BrahxAngus, Angus x Holstein, Hereford x Jersey, Ang x Belted Galloway, Simmental x Senepol, Herf x Sen, Sen x Ang, Hereford/BrahxAng, Herf/CharxHerf, Sim/Baldie, Herf/Baldie, Ang/Baldie, Pinz/Baldie and probably a few percentages I can't remember off hand this early in the morning.

In addition to that, the neighboring ranch, has used Herf, Ang, Char, Brown Swiss, Santa Gertrudis, Beefmaster, Lim, Sim, and Red Ang bulls on his cow herd (originally Reg. Herfs-today majority Red Ang) in ~the same period of time so I feel confident in saying that I have seen and experimented with most of the major breeds AND most frame scores.

I like a moderate framed Baldie cow better than most of the other crosses. Maybe I am in the minority opinion; but I would just as soon never go more than 50% continental on any set of cows and am probably inclined to use the continentals as purely terminal sires. Now that I can easily get any frame of Angus or Hereford I want there is less need for the exotics. My last straight Herfs were weaning off 600+ pound calves, which is a H*LL of a big difference than what our straight Herfs were doing back in 1980. I certainly don't want to pull any more calves than I absolutely have to and I would rather not get back to the point where I have 6 or 7 different breeds floating around the same cow herd. From a strictly cow/calf herd perspective, I want the smallest frame, easiest keeping cow I can find that will wean off 600 pound steers on mostly grass and thanks to improved genetics I can do that now with Black baldie cows. If I needed to go with a three way cross it would probably be Chars though no Char bull would ever be allowed anywhere near ANY heifer.