Shorthorn Cross for Heifers

[Warrior10]

Looking for a direction to go on a showy bred shorthorn female (Sire-After Hours, Dam is a Warhorse grand daughter) to try to get replacement heifers. Her first calf was out of an Angus bull and that was a whale of a heifer that I regret not keeping. What are some successful crosses you guys have had with females of this type? I am open to pretty much any breed, but would rather stay away from clubby stuff (she is getting flushed that way shortly). Not sure if to go Angus, Shorthorn, Maine...etc.

 

[OH Breeder]

Warhorse was as clubby as you can get for shorthorns. He had his time in the club business. You have some K-Kim breeding in After Hours. That speaks volumes to me. They had a great program!
If you are going clubby on a flush you are wanting something for maternal replacements?
Captain Obvious would take you back more maternal, you already have Gizmo in the After Hours element. If you wanted additional sires their is a bunch that might work with this female. I guess I would have to see apicture. That's an interesting combo warhorse were moderate more clubby built. I have not seen a ton of After Hours calves. Do you think you could post a pic of her?

 

[Warrior10]

Warhorse was as clubby as you can get for shorthorns. He had his time in the club business. You have some K-Kim breeding in After Hours. That speaks volumes to me. They had a great program!
If you are going clubby on a flush you are wanting something for maternal replacements?
Captain Obvious would take you back more maternal, you already have Gizmo in the After Hours element. If you wanted additional sires their is a bunch that might work with this female. I guess I would have to see apicture. That's an interesting combo warhorse were moderate more clubby built. I have not seen a ton of After Hours calves. Do you think you could post a pic of her?

Yes, I think the K-Kim brings a lot to the table for maternal value. I am flushing her this year to Eye Candy and probably Salty Dog, then if all goes as planned there I will switch my focus to trying to find the right matchup for her to add daughters to the herd. The biggest thing I am looking for in the "maternal bull" is to add guts, that is a key for me in what I look for in my females. When I mentioned her first calf being out of an Angus bull, that was the deepest yearling heifer I have ever owned or been a part of. Here is a picture just prior to calving this year. She isn't a short little moderate show heifer, but she isn't a big framed female either. Thanks for the response.

 

[Warrior10]

Sorry for the poor quality, it's time to upgrade the cell phone.
EDIT: Thought I should note that she is THF and PHAF and I would like to keep the replacement heifers that way.

 

[RankeCattleCo]

I-80
Benz for a crazy colored one
Ali

 

[Cham2135]

I have had quite a few cattle guys (ones that know what they are saying) say not to use i80 on a plan or even good flexed heifer. He will throw a killer neck, but he makes them straight and they can't walk the best.

(Yes you will have the killer ones that win everything. But think about how many people use him. There is going to be some good ones and even more bad ones.)

We are using Benz on our  heifer this year. We also like the calves out of Captain Obvious. There is a big thread on here about him, the breeder even chimes in. We will use him on a few cross bred heifers to raise some appendix.

If you can, I'd highly recommend having one of the traveling semen guys come out. We had Raymond from Competive Edge and he was awesome at recommending bulls. Lautner's do the same thing too.

 

[Warrior10]

I-80
Benz for a crazy colored one
Ali

I like the Ali idea, I am not sure I-80 will give me the guts I am looking for.

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Didn't think about the guts issue. I think Ali would be your best bet. Might get a cool blue roan.

 

[Warrior10]

I have had quite a few cattle guys (ones that know what they are saying) say not to use i80 on a plan or even good flexed heifer. He will throw a killer neck, but he makes them straight and they can't walk the best.

(Yes you will have the killer ones that win everything. But think about how many people use him. There is going to be some good ones and even more bad ones.)

We are using Benz on our  heifer this year. We also like the calves out of Captain Obvious. There is a big thread on here about him, the breeder even chimes in. We will use him on a few cross bred heifers to raise some appendix.

If you can, I'd highly recommend having one of the traveling semen guys come out. We had Raymond from Competive Edge and he was awesome at recommending bulls. Lautner's do the same thing too.

We had Raymond out on Sunday and Chris Wilson out the weekend before, Lautners were in the area but that day just didn't work for me. I use bulls from all three and respect all three, however I am looking for some options for these replacement heifers that don't have clubby bloodlines. Grizzly Bear from Lautners is pretty high on my list to use on her if I choose to use a clubby bull. I have pretty good knowledge and understanding of the clubby bulls but I'll be the first to admit I know little about the Shorthorn, Angus, etc purebred bulls. Just looking into some other options I guess.

Let us know how Benz works on your heifer!

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Grizzly Bear would be a good option, and I think the Monopoly grand sire would add a little twist. It does, however, limit your breeding options.. What would you breed that heifer back to?

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Grizzly Bear would likely also give you a decent steer calf too- since you're breeding for replacement females, we both know damn well you'll end up with a bull calf  (lol)

 

[Warrior10]

Grizzly Bear would be a good option, and I think the Monopoly grand sire would add a little twist. It does, however, limit your breeding options.. What would you breed that heifer back to?

^ Exactly the reason I am looking into non-clubby options! The heifers would be put into club calf production herd.

 

[Warrior10]

Grizzly Bear would likely also give you a decent steer calf too- since you're breeding for replacement females, we both know damn well you'll end up with a bull calf  (lol)

That's the truth!

 

[RankeCattleCo]

After seeing you want to use these calves for club calf production, I would recommend a PB Maine bull.  This will get you a 50%, maternal cow.  Most AI sires have some Maine.. General Lee, unstoppable, etc. This is how I would breed her.

 

[RyanChandler]

Grizzly Bear would be a good option, and I think the Monopoly grand sire would add a little twist. It does, however, limit your breeding options.. What would you breed that heifer back to?

^ Exactly the reason I am looking into non-clubby options! The heifers would be put into club calf production herd.

Exactly the reason I prefer using purebred bulls when creating replacements.

 

[HAB]

I would suggest Moto Moto.  Yes I do own him.  He is the perfect option for what you are looking for.  Moto Moto is a true Fullblood, maternally orientated bull that will give you guts, bone, muscle, and hair.  He is proving to be easy calving.  Pictured at 23 months old.
Tested TH and PHA free.

 

[Gargan]

Moto may be the widest based bull I've ever seen pictured. Wow

 

[cpubarn]

I bred one shorthorn cow to sexed grizzly (not grizzly bear) just trying something different, and was pleased with the results.