Close but not close enough

[Aussie]

I always wondered why the showsteers that are square over the hip and thick in the lowere quarter don't translate to great carcasses. Seems like to me the square over the top is more of a skeletal and not carcass. Why do the "pencil butted' cattle always WIN the carcass shows? Where is Hunsley when you need him?

The muscle and marble characteristics are antagonistic by nature.  Milk and marbling go hand in hand.  Look at breeds that you would consider strictly terminal in type.  Full blood Chars, Chis, Limos but these breeds carry the most red meat but for the most part are poor milkers . Now look at the breeds that are considered heavy milkers - Jersey, REAL shorthorns, REAL angus, Wagyu- they marble the best of any but generally give up live weight lbs. Wagyu are extremely poor milkers I was with you on your theory up till then

 

[KSanburg]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but interested in learning a little about the Wagyu. I really have never looked into them as a breed but one of my clients is thinking about buying a small herd and crossing them with his f1 tiger strip cattle. He asked me what I thought he would have to market and I don't know what to tell him. I have started reading a little about the Wagyu but hoping that some of you can give me some thoughts that are real life experience.

I personally don't think the tiger strip cross on the Wagyu would work very well, but what about either an Angus or Hereford cross or does it just not work to cross the Wagyu?

 

[Aussie]

Unless your client has a niche market I would have to ask why. Wagyu have a very slow growth rate poor yield off the rail plus they are butt ugly. On the plus side easy calves and the bulls have a strong libidos.

 

[RyanChandler]

I always wondered why the showsteers that are square over the hip and thick in the lowere quarter don't translate to great carcasses. Seems like to me the square over the top is more of a skeletal and not carcass. Why do the "pencil butted' cattle always WIN the carcass shows? Where is Hunsley when you need him?

The muscle and marble characteristics are antagonistic by nature.  Milk and marbling go hand in hand.  Look at breeds that you would consider strictly terminal in type.  Full blood Chars, Chis, Limos but these breeds carry the most red meat but for the most part are poor milkers . Now look at the breeds that are considered heavy milkers - Jersey, REAL shorthorns, REAL Angus, Wagyu- they marble the best of any but generally give up live weight lbs. Wagyu are extremely poor milkers I was with you on your theory up till then

I question your experience with the breed based on your comment.  There are four predominant strains of Black Wagyu . The Shimane, Tottori, Kedaka strains are known for their high marbling large frames and above average milking capabilities.  The Wagyu breed is no different than any other in the quality vs quantity balancing act.

I personally don't think the tiger strip cross on the Wagyu would work very well, but what about either an Angus or Hereford cross or does it just not work to cross the Wagyu?

Although I've never personally seen this cross,  I would imagine something with less brimmer influence would be more beneficial.  While they would help with weaning weight growth substantially, Brimmer cattle don't marble exceptionally well.  The Angus is probably the most common cross but any British high marbling breed will do.  Obviously anyone that would consider Wagyu have a premium mkt in line.  There are also many cooperatives available to market your wagyu cattle through.

 

[Aussie]

I question your experience with the breed based on your comment.  There are four predominant strains of Black Wagyu . The Shimane, Tottori, Kedaka strains are known for their high marbling large frames and above average milking capabilities.  The Wagyu breed is no different than any other in the quality vs quantity balancing act.

XBar some the the strains you talk about I have no experience with however one of my clients does have a herd of 1200 fullblood cows 20 miles from my home. http://www.robbinsislandwagyu.com.au/ Their bloodlines are Tajima for marbling and Fujiyoshi and Kendaka for size. My understanding was that in Japan the calves were removed from their dams soon after calving therefore the milk ability had been decreased by selective breeding. Certainly the herd I have had experience in carries very little milk.
In this herd progeny are fattened on grass and killed at the plant I buy for. I have helped on the ranch, selected animals to kill and followed then through the boning room.

• Picture of cows and calves. Cows lack milk and calves look dry for the good lush feed they have been on
• Me closest to camera didn't go for the cowboy look that day so they took a photo
• Group of heifer with some not far from ready
• Heifer about ready to go

 

[KSanburg]

Thanks for the info, I don't know what his end game is but I think the british cross would be more beneficial to him. Living down south it may not be something that would work very well for him.