Steer Planet - Show Steers and Club Calves Forum

I have a herd of 50 commercial cows with good milking and 1300 to 1500 lb cows.  Most are Angus, Hereford, and Simmental in a mix.  I have always used pure bulls on cross bred cows going back to the 3rd part of the mix.  Usually an Angus heifer bull then the Simmental or Hereford as the other bull.  I am currently AIing to some composite maternal bulls to make a set of cows that will produce steers.  I am not looking for the next all world calf.  I am looking for some solid county fair and small jackpot type cattle.  I hear use heatwave and from what I have seen you have a stud or a dud out of him.  I won't be keeping heifers out of this so all calves will be terminal.  Any suggestions on some clubby bulls that would work in one cross to make terminals. 

Really and honestly- i don't think you could go wrong with any newer type double carrier clubby bull that's been released in the past 2 or 3 years- especially these newer bulls that aren't big enough to breed cows as yearlings.  sounds like your cowherd is big enough frame and weight wise to productively counter balance those poor growing traits.  You have the clean genetics- may as well expand on them with dirty ones- you have the right idea about being strictly terminal as well.  If you have several cows- then try out a bull on about 10 each to get a feel for what he'll do. 

Some bulls that I can give you advice on, from a personal level that I really like for a situation like this: Jimmy the Greek, Warrant, Double Stuff, BOJO, Red Hot, Herfwave, and really about any Heatwave son out there. 

I've always speculated about using monopoly on higher % Angus cows-- but every body and their brother are claiming it works-- so I guess he proved me wrong...

I would keep the high percent Char and Sim bulls out of the equation-- they might add too much performance to what you are seeking... 

Sun Seeker i pretty darn consistent

For county level calves, you can get some solid steers out of some of Maine including Irish Whiskey sons such as Paddy, Dubai, or Patton.

You might even get  a Hereford colored calf out Carpe Diem on cows like that which might be well received in your part of the world.

Monoply and Walks Alone will work fine also, both are exponentially more consistent for me than Heat Wave

Just my thought after being in the club calf deal for 4-5 years ,more money in raising good females than steers ,I was told when I first got into them by a guy who raised some Champions and also leading sire in the clubby business ...After 5 years I haft to agree,to raise a top steer out of those cows you need to find suitable type donors that will provide you with embryo's to put in those commercial cows ....COMpetition has really tightened up on the steer deal ,you might also raise a herd bull or a champion heifer ,depends on what kind of donor you pick and you could deversify your program more and also keep some heifers for improving your cow herd ....Proably need to get good friends with someone that is honest and has knowledge of the business in your area ....

Something to ponder: With the price of feeder cattle right now does it pay to try and chase more money with club calves with a commercial herd?  Success seems to rely on marketing an awful lot, so if you have lots of time to work with calves and give them the "look" then it would be worthwhile.  Otherwise just stick with $1300 feeder calves would be my suggestion.  Honestly it is the route we are taking this year.  Breeding just a few consistent cows clubby the rest commericial.

I am doing AI for the first time as well, but only on 2 cows and a heifer. I'm looking at Brilliance for the heifer, Grandmaster for a 2nd calver, and Eye Candy on the 4th calver. I've heard that Eye Candy throws some good ones.