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JTM
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What do you believe would make up the ultimate three way cross for commercial feeder calves? What breeds and the percentages of those breeds? Explain why you think this way from foundation cows to the end product.
DITTO!advocate said:Herefordxangus momma (everybody likes a baldy) have carcass and longevity and use a charolais bull for growth performance and more muscle
I would suggest using any of the bulls on the "shorty heifer bulls" thread. I think JamieDiamond put a link to a pdf around page 53 that has a large list of what I would say would be exceptable. I think I would use the Select Sires bull JSF Capiche heifer semen. I just ordered a bunch of it on special for $30 a unit. A pretty good deal. If I knew my bull was proven on calving ease I would definitely suggest him but he is too young to make a judgement.SEA said:Interesting topic...I have a question,
Let's say I have a herd of commercial angus cows (or young cattlemen starting out should find these cattle fairly easy to aquire).
What A.I. Shorthorn bulls would I use to make these F1 Angus x Shorthorn replacement females?
I understand your point about using the Maines on the SH cross cows. So far, my experience with crossing purebred Shorthorns with Maine Anjou has shown very noticeable hybrid vigor. I do agree that their may be an option to get even more using another breed but I have seen very satisfying results so far. I also agree on the solid pattern Shorthorns, I am going to try to go that way. Good points...commercialfarmer said:I agree that it would depend on your location Assuming your not in the deep south
Short horn x Angus or Herford x Angus cow base crossed with Simm for continental influence of 25 to 50%. I only have a couple of shorthorn x angus comming yearling heifers so far but like them as well as the baldies. If you use more solid pattern SH bulls, I think it would be hard for buyers to doc them especially when this influence is further diluted with the terminal cross.
I changed my own thoughts on the crossing Maine as the terminal sire: If you have SH cross cows, you may not get as much hybrid vigor as you could with char or simm since there is some Maine influence in the SH breed and how close the genetics of the breeds were previously.
JTM said:What do you believe would make up the ultimate three way cross for commercial feeder calves? What breeds and the percentages of those breeds? Explain why you think this way from foundation cows to the end product.