Some of you out there still might be wondering if all I do is talk about cattle or if I raise them too. Well, I do raise pairs and pick out a few steers from our herd each year to use for the 4-H shows. Here is a real nice PCC heifer that is out of a cow I purchased at Kit's sale in fall of '06. She's due in about 2 or 3 weeks. The other two are steers that I roughed out last week.
First Calf Heifer and a Couple Steers. PICS
- Thread starter MYT Farms
- Start date
Help Support Steer Planet:
showman ne
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2008
- Messages
- 259
the heifer really doesn't look like shes had any extra groceries. she looks like shes an easy doing cow, a basic trait every cow should have, she also looks like she may not quite be deep enough for hannibal, but in another post you said that Hook suggested him on her so I'd be inclined to lean toward his opinion. As far as the steers go the top one looks weak in his topline and tight hearted. Can't tell much from the picture of the second one.
You seem like a pretty knowlegeable kid, and you ask a lot of questions, which is a good thing, no one ever learned much by keeping to themselves. If I were you I'd really look into breeding a large portion of your herd to a "non-clubby" bull. You have a strong angus base as many successful operation's have. I would consider breeding to a 3/4 simmi or a high maine bull with some strong maternal traits, to give that second generation some heterosis and a touch more style. Then you can put those daughters in production and really play ball. Not saying you should abandon the clubby idea, but pick out one or two bulls from distinct bloodlines e.g. Full Flush/Throttle, Heat Seeker, Heatwave, Who, and use them on a select few cows that you feel best resemble the qualities found in your herd. Then you can find out what works on your cows and what doesn't. That way when those daughters from more maternal lines come into production you'll have a jump on where to start looking for a bull. Since I first noticed you on the board you have considered several different breeds (was it you who had a Herf in your display pic or was that someone else?) and several clubby bulls. I suggest you narrow your focus and expand over time. Unless you've got a pile of money to spend on a bunch of different semen and a buch of differnent cows you need a specific goal and pick the best route to get there. I can totally understand your curiousity and interest in all these different breeds and bloodlines, thats what makes this game so fun is that we have so many options. I think you have a bright future in the industry and you just need to scale back your plans for the short term, pick a specific route, and then expand when the time is right and you'll do just fine
You seem like a pretty knowlegeable kid, and you ask a lot of questions, which is a good thing, no one ever learned much by keeping to themselves. If I were you I'd really look into breeding a large portion of your herd to a "non-clubby" bull. You have a strong angus base as many successful operation's have. I would consider breeding to a 3/4 simmi or a high maine bull with some strong maternal traits, to give that second generation some heterosis and a touch more style. Then you can put those daughters in production and really play ball. Not saying you should abandon the clubby idea, but pick out one or two bulls from distinct bloodlines e.g. Full Flush/Throttle, Heat Seeker, Heatwave, Who, and use them on a select few cows that you feel best resemble the qualities found in your herd. Then you can find out what works on your cows and what doesn't. That way when those daughters from more maternal lines come into production you'll have a jump on where to start looking for a bull. Since I first noticed you on the board you have considered several different breeds (was it you who had a Herf in your display pic or was that someone else?) and several clubby bulls. I suggest you narrow your focus and expand over time. Unless you've got a pile of money to spend on a bunch of different semen and a buch of differnent cows you need a specific goal and pick the best route to get there. I can totally understand your curiousity and interest in all these different breeds and bloodlines, thats what makes this game so fun is that we have so many options. I think you have a bright future in the industry and you just need to scale back your plans for the short term, pick a specific route, and then expand when the time is right and you'll do just fine
showman said:
Oh THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! This is what I needed to hear. Yes, I've been all over the board just exploring all sorts of possibilities. Yup, I've looked at Herefords, Angus, Char, Limi, Club, Simmi, etc, etc, etc. But this is what I really needed to hear. I have one other cow that looks JUST like that heifer. I have another pretty easy doing one that has a lot more femininity. I was thinking about breeding to a Herf bull this year, but I have now firmly decided with these last 4 years in 4-H, I want to try and breed a winner. Do you think Gigolo Joe would work? Does he have the maternal qualities I'd be looking for? A MaineTainer X would be pretty good to go clubby with, shouldn't it? I know, more questions, but you're right, that's how I learn.
