red said:
TJ- since you breed LowLines, is there a different scale for them versus other cattle?
Red
All frame scores are all calculated the same way & are done on the same scale. Rather than using negative numbers, when the frame score gets down to 0 it goes to 00 for one size smaller 000 for the next size down, etc.. It's similar to XL, XXL, 3XL in clothes.
Most fullblood Lowlines would fall into the frame 00 to frame 1 range. I like for my fullbloods to be frame 0 or 1 & I actually have a fullblood cow that weighed 925 lbs. this fall. However, most Lowline breeders don't ever talk about frame scores. Also, most Lowline breeders tend to stick more towards the middle to the bigger end of the breed. FWIW, most "mini cattle breeders" do not consider Lowlines to be true "minis". Mini or not, fullblood Lowlines are still very small cattle.
However, the Mini Hereford breed is just the opposite. They devote a lot of time to talking about frame scores & in that breed many think that smaller is better. Most Mini Hereford breeders like 000 frame & smaller Mini Herefords!! The difference between most Lowlines & most Mini Herefords is about the same difference between a frame 4 cow & a frame 7 cow. The Lowlines are substantially bigger on the avg.
While most fullblood Lowlines frame score in 00 -1 range, the halfblood Lowlines will mostly frame score in the 4 frame range & some will even frame score in the 5's. I sold a frame 0 bull who consistently sired frame 4.5 calves out of frame 6 females. The thing is, they weigh almost as much as the frame 5 & 6, full sized calves, that have received the exact same management.
Unless you are wanting to raise your own beef, cater to the grass fed market, have small acrage & want a few cows, etc., fullblood Lowlines aren't going to work for most people. However, a fullblood bull on a full sized heifer, is a match made in heaven!! And the calves are big enough to sell & make pretty good money, even in a traditional market system. 1/2 blood Lowlines will work for the commercial producer. And if they want the calves to be a little bigger, they can use 1/2 & 3/4 Lowline bulls & get similar results (extreme calving ease) & slightly heavier weaning weights & frame sizes.