AI bulls for Shorthorn cows

I've been checking all the cattle forums on the web for a couple of months now, think I found my new home. Always enjoy the assistance and honest debate here. With that being said, I was hoping for some guidance on my breeding decisions for this year. Been raising registered shorthorns with my Father for over twenty years now. Have a good friend and neighbor that raised clubcalves for his daughters to show. My friend's girls are now grown and he has talked my Dad into partnering up and raising club calves.  I was curious if anyone had an opinion on what AI bulls to use on our Shortys.  Our genetics are from some of the more popular lines of the past few years.  We have alot of Trump and Durango influence in the herd, as a matter of fact our last herdbull was a Trump out of a Durango full sib (CF Texas Rose).  We used him on daughters of a Rodeo Drive son out of CF 18ths Fool.  We are looking for a black club calf bull to produce solid show steers.   Our females are good fronted, sound (maybe a little too much flex at the hock) and great milkers.  They need a bull with some top and overall power.  Also prefer to add as much lower quarter as I can because these girls are lacking in that.  This will be a problem because I will not use a TH or PHA carrier.  Would prefer a black bull (sacrilege I realize) but our local feedlot has been taking advantage of us for several years now due to hide color and I am sad to say they have won.  Our calves that don't make the arena need to be black.  I know, I know, asking alot.  I was just hoping that some of the Shorthorn folks on here might have some insight.  Not looking to set the world on fire here, would just like produce some solid 4H calves to sell and possible get a few that might not look to bad at the state level (IN). Thanks in advance for any advice you could offer

RR

Good Angus bulls to use: BEB Juneau,Cowboy Troy,El Capitan,TC Stockman365, Aberdeen, EXAR Lutton,WAR Cowboy Up,just to name a few.There are alot of Maine bulls that would be feasible,not many Simmys though as they don't cross all that well with Shorties. It's going to be somewhat difficult in your endeavor,I would think.The Angus crossed on Shorties works pretty good for replacement heifers,but getting steers thaqt will compete,may be few and far between.The Maine cross works relative well on Shorties also,but there again the problem is going to be which Shorties match up the best. Although you have some popular bloodlines of recent history,not ALL shorties cross well enough to make you an overnight breeding sensation. It takes several years and trials and tribulations to consistantly raise upper end club calves.There are some decent TH and PHA free bulls you can use. If you are dead serious about doing this,I would find brothers that are free of THC-PHA infected bulls and seeif that works. [One example] Monopoly and Headliner are carriers,but they have a full brother,called ALL ABOARD that has tested negative for both. In my opinion,without seeing your cows,just going by how you described them[NO BUTT]etc.you may be better off using good clubby shortie bulls.I know that you are up against the hide color preference,however if none of the black clubby bulls click with your cows,then all you have is inferior black hided cattle. I think you should approach this idea slowly on a few cows and see if it works.....Good Luck!!!!

Thanks TMJ.  Know what you mean about up against it in one generation.  I once worked for a man who used Stockman 365 on some shortys with good success, made some fine replacement females.  My friend has a Juneau out of a low% Maine cow that is beautiful, he actually bred her to Juneau for a linebred first calf.  That calf is due anyday.  Will take a look at All Aboard.  I wonder how his daughters will milk out of good milking cows?  I realize I may be a generation or two off of making great steers.  I am not at all opposed to finding a bull that might bridge the gap.

Just read my first post over.  Sorry about being so long winded, probably haven't talked that much in three months.  Not too many people to talk cows with in my immediate area.

RR 

WHO MADE WHO should make em black and sellable,probably the best bull to use on cows with alot of flex in the hock just my opinion.

I agree with the Who Made Who suggestion.  We've raised some pretty good club calves crossing Who Made Who and Dr. Who on Shorthorn cows.  You might also consider Money Man for a Maintainer/club calf cross or Witch Doctor to downsize and fancy them up a little.

Good Luck

Who and Doctor Who had both made my short list just researching and looking at photos.  Who was very hot when I was still out on the show road, and I always loved Witch Doctor.  Just hadn't seen too many calves from them out of shorthorn cows or heard anything about that cross in any of my research.  Where can I find more info. on Money Man, which distributor carries him and some general calf reports?  Thanks for the input. 

RR

cattle visions should have info and semen on MONEY MAN

ROMAX said:

cattle visions should have info and semen on MONEY MAN

Click to expand...

Thanks.  Just checked the sight and they do.  Didn't know Lance was even selling semen in the US.  Met him years ago at Agribition, he was just trying to get things started.  Cattle Visions' sight is pretty quick to navigate.

RR