Shorthorn herd startup

Ok first post, I been regular viewer of steer planet for few years. I know the
Shorthorn breed has some volatile post. Not trying to start argument  at all.
I am wanting to start a shorthorn herd, in your opinion what's the best way and
where would you start? Several breds from one herd or breds from all over. I
am not looking at commercial types. Any ideas? I got a few questions but don't
want to get bashed. Thanks in advance

BY MY HERD BUILDING SOME YEARS AGO, I BOUGHT CATTLE FROM THREE DIFFERENT SOURCES WITH SIMILAR GENETICS BACKGROUND BASED ON ENTICER, TRIBUNE, GUS AND BIG MAC. WAS A MISTAKE AS HAD DIFFERENT FEMALES TYPE. NOW I'M INSEMINATING ALL FEMALES WITH AN UNIQUE BULL FOR STANDARIZE THE HERD.

THE POINT IS....LOOK FOR STANDARD TYPE COWS, FROM ONE SOURCE OF DIFFERENT ONES. WILL BE BETTER FOR UNIFORM YOUR HERD.

GOOD LUCK!

<beer>

1st of all where are you?-The Iowa beef expo has more usefull cattle for the $-in one stop than anywhere I know-just the best Shorthorn cattle per square mile right now-there are also some very good pockets of cattle in Ohio,Ill,Oklahoma etc. FIRST AND FOREMOST MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS-OR IF YOU CANT BE AT THE SALE-IM GLAD TO FIND SOMEONE ON HERE OR OTHERWISE TO HELP GET THEM BOUGHT-DO NOT,AND I REPEAT DO NOT DEAL WITH PEOPLE LIKE AEGERTER OR CAGWIN-THIER single purpose is to serve themselves and thier clique-and they are allways looking for a new sucker:and once you get stuck in some cattle-or want to sell them-THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU-pompous,greedy,and fat (literally in both cases) Sullivan sometimes has some good hiefers etc for the moneyIF YOU DO IT YOURSELF,AND ARE PATIENT(what makes thier sales-are all good,and sometimes huge money)  All you need to do:is figure type-and also realize that there is a swing right now AWAY from the huge BW cattle that win shows-thus-alot of the linebred Trump-Solution-yatta cattle are going to get CHEEPER here shortly relative to where they were. Alot of that breeding is also pretty harddoing-but they are STILL beutifull,full of feed. If you are going for plusses-Id take the Salutes et-al-and work bulls like Breathe Easy,Comfort Zone,Predator,or a number of functional bulls like Yardley,Oklahoma deals etc and breed the weaknesses out in a short time-all back to what you want to produce.Whatever type that is,they need to be functional outside a show barn O0

Post a pic of your ideal type cow. We should be able to direct you from there.

First thing you need to figure out is where are you going to sell them when you raise them. That will determine where and what you begin with.

I've seen Mark mention the breed sale managers previously. Maybe he has had some poor experience. But I have bought cattle both for myself and others through Jeff Aegerter. Not one time has he used all the money he was given to buy an animal. He has told me on several occasions that an animal I might have been interested in, had a bad udder, didn't move too good, was a nut, etc. I have only had good experiences in using him. But as Mark said, it's always best to be there if at all possible assuming you are buying out of a sale.

I am in Oklahoma. I would like to sell in this area. Early on my goal
is to keep few heifers for daughter to show. Not looking to get rich or make
full time job out of it. Would be nice though years from now.
Looking for moderate framed. I got few heifers now I really like
Just think they are to large framed. Thanks for advice

Do a few herd visits in OK area.... try to purchase females from that climate.  Buy privately if you can? One sire group from one herd if you can ?  welcome to the breed ! the home of docility, good mama cows and love.

First of all, I think you are making a great decision to go with Shorthorns. Unmatched docility, maternal instinct, tenderness and marbling, and beautiful to look at. My suggestion would be to take a mixture of the suggestions that you have received on your post already. That is some really good advice by these people. They reall know their stuff too. I guess my feeling would be to get some 4-6 year old cows from about three sources that are similar in type. You want them to be able to perform in the pasture first and secondly in the show ring. I believe there are some cows for sale on the Shorthorn website under their classifieds in western Nebraska. Could be something to look into. Good luck!

You might consider using a few commercial cows and buying some embryos as well.  Some of the best moves to improve or establish top genetics quickly is to buy embryos from the best cows in established herds.  You don't have to buy extremely expensive embryos to take advantage of some very, very good maternal genetics that way.    Beats the heck out of buying unproven females and then waiting to see if they turn out to be good producers--you can waste a lot of time and money that way.  You could probably invest in both embryos and breds but speaking from my experience, I wish I'd spent more of my  herd building budget on embryos early on. JMHO 
Welcome to the breed---you'll be hooked in no time!!   

oakbar said:

You might consider using a few commercial cows and buying some embryos as well.   Some of the best moves to improve or establish top genetics quickly is to buy embryos from the best cows in established herds.   You don't have to buy extremely expensive embryos to take advantage of some very, very good maternal genetics that way.     Beats the heck out of buying unproven females and then waiting to see if they turn out to be good producers--you can waste a lot of time and money that way.   You could probably invest in both embryos and breds but speaking from my experience, I wish I'd spent more of my  herd building budget on embryos early on. JMHO 
Welcome to the breed---you'll be hooked in no time!!   

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grant alexander (justintime) has a really good embryo offering, he has a big selection of both current, and older, rare genetics, and is an awsome guy to deal with. if you are considering the embryo route,he is really reason able as far as price, and certainly has a big selection, i think he has a only embryo sale coming up

oakbar said:

You might consider using a few commercial cows and buying some embryos as well.   Some of the best moves to improve or establish top genetics quickly is to buy embryos from the best cows in established herds.   You don't have to buy extremely expensive embryos to take advantage of some very, very good maternal genetics that way.     Beats the heck out of buying unproven females and then waiting to see if they turn out to be good producers--you can waste a lot of time and money that way.   You could probably invest in both embryos and breds but speaking from my experience, I wish I'd spent more of my  herd building budget on embryos early on. JMHO 
Welcome to the breed---you'll be hooked in no time!!   

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+1

I think oakbar makes a valid point. If you want show type cattle, buy embryos. If it was me, I'd head to Vogels, Shrag's, and steinke's. I'd say you will get the most bang for your buck. It will be foundation type stock. Proven. Honest folks.


If you want non show type shorthorns and I lived in Oklahoma, I'd have to buy a group of cows from A@T, a group from Sneeds and a group from Gary Kaper.


Your choice in cattle is nothing to be ashamed of. Or fear of starting arguments. After all you are the one who has to look at them and pay the bills. Good luck. If I can help in anyway , I'd be glad to.

I would look at Double J, Crow Creek, and im sure MANY other breeders right around your area.  I'd get ahold of the State Association they will be able to point you in the right direction.  Also look north Kansas has some great breeders and down south in Texas.  Good luck with what is a great breed of cattle.  We might fight and have our differences, but it is because so many of us have such a strong love for this breed and want to see it succeed. 

My only advise is you get what you pay for. Not saying you go out and spend a bunch of money and your guaranteed success and good cattle but if you buy bottom end cattle it takes a long time to breed them up. IMO. And remember show cattle are like cars, loose 40% of their value when you drive them off the lot. (lol)

We are in Oklahoma as well. Have 2 heifers left, one of which I think would be a good start to your herd. She is a fall born, Dottie 12H X Salute. I personally think Dottie 12H is one of the better cows out there.

All of the posts make some good sense.  I started out in 1996.  I wouldn't spend a lot of money, until you know your goals.  Visit at least six herds, but twelve would be better.  It would be best if they have different types of cattle.  This will help you decide what you want to look at every day (I think Trevor said that already).  Talk to a lot of different breeders in person and on the phone.  It takes awhile to develop a good relationship and trust.  By developing a relationship, you find out who is in for one sale to you, and who would like to do business with you year after year and wants to help you.  The breed is a very strong maternal breed with some valuable growth traits, too.  Enjoy the journey and be willing to listen a lot, and ask questions.  The journey towards your purchase is often times more fun then the purchase.  Good Luck!!!!

JPS said:

  The journey towards your purchase is often times more fun then the purchase.  Good Luck!!!!

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That is the truth.  (clapping) It is like shopping for a new truck for a year and then you finally buy one. You see truck adds and you get kind of sad because the hunt is over for you for awhile..but the difference is when you start selling the calves you have bred it starts to get fun again.  (clapping)....I hope (lol)

Thanks for all the positive responses and private messages. I will be contacting some of you as I have questions, thanks guys