angus and dexter cross What do you think?

[jhm47]

Actually, there are variations within all breeds. I have used many of the more popular beef breeds, and found that almost all of them have easy calving bulls available. Simmentals have gotten a reputation for being hard calvers, but there are many bulls in that breed that are extremely easy calvers. Their calves might weigh a little more, but are long, slim, and come out very easily. On the other hand, there are bulls that throw low-birthweight calves that are short, blocky, and nearly all need assistance. There are Angus, Herefords, Simmentals, Gelbviehs, and Shorthorns that can be used on heifers, and you shouldn't have to worry about calving difficulty.

 

[DoubleSSRanch]

OR you could also use a yearling herford bull. They are very easy calving, and have low birth weights also.

In my experience, that's the opposite. Herefords tend to have big heads wouldn't be a good cross for an Angus heifer.

Weird. Ive never ever had an issues with any herford cows or calves from herford bulls. They so darned small when theyre born. *Shrugs* Ive always had good luck with them

 

[WildRoseBeef]

OR you could also use a yearling herford bull. They are very easy calving, and have low birth weights also.

In my experience, that's the opposite. Herefords tend to have big heads wouldn't be a good cross for an Angus heifer.

Weird. Ive never ever had an issues with any herford cows or calves from herford bulls. They so darned small when theyre born. *Shrugs* Ive always had good luck with them

It's not weird at all. Like JHM said, there's more variations within a breed than there is between breeds. Since there are MANY cattle of even one breed it does not surprise me that there are the variations like there are. The bull that katie used on her heifers was probably one that didn't have the qualities of a calving-ease bull, and she probably missed out on that selection criteria. Besides, there are bulls of any breed that can have big pallet heads if you look hard enough, and there are bulls of any breed that do not have this. It's just all the matter of being careful of what you look for. And, one thing I've learned from others is that EPD numbers are not to be taken as gospel. You have to ALSO look at the animal you are buying, scrutinize his strengths and weaknesses both genetically, especially from his sire and dam, and structurally, especially when studying conformation and compare with other bulls of the same breed.

For instance, you can see if a bull has a wider forehead than others by looking at his head and comparing the size of his head to the rest of his body. Even the width of his forehead can be a bit of a give-away. But of course one has to know what he's looking for.

 

[jhm47]

I would agree with WRB that EPD's (Expected Progeny Differences) are not always accurate. That being said, they are a lot better than nothing in selecting a bull.

There are many bulls in service in the AI industry that have many thousands of calves on the ground. These bulls have been tested for many years, and a person can quite accurately predict how their calves will perform. Of course, as these calves are born, the EPD's will change as more and more calves are born. Along with their EPD's, their accuracy score will change also. A bull with a very high accuracy score will be almost certain to sire calves with whatever desired traits that the rancher wants.

Of course, there is no perfect bull (just as there is no perfect man. Oh wait---the guy who dated my wife before she married me was perfect----- but I digress). Some bulls excel in calving ease, some in growth, some in carcass characteristics, and some in siring productive daughters. A very few bulls will excel in quite a few of these traits, but I have yet to find one that ecels in all of them.

The best advice I can give is to evaluate your cows/heifers and try to select a bull that is strong in the traits that your animals are weak in. However, be sure to select bulls that will give you a medium sized calf. Those that end up on the "dead" pile aren't worth much in the fall when you sell the rest.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

I would agree with WRB that EPD's (Expected Progeny Differences) are not always accurate. That being said, they are a lot better than nothing in selecting a bull.

There are many bulls in service in the AI industry that have many thousands of calves on the ground. These bulls have been tested for many years, and a person can quite accurately predict how their calves will perform. Of course, as these calves are born, the EPD's will change as more and more calves are born. Along with their EPD's, their accuracy score will change also. A bull with a very high accuracy score will be almost certain to sire calves with whatever desired traits that the rancher wants.

Precisely. When you are purchasing a yearling bull, you are really purchasing a virgin bull that has never mated with a cow or heifer, and is ultimately, unproven. It is a gamble you have to play when selecting yearling bulls that could potentially, or is expected to have calving ease. If you notice the accuracy score beside the EPD score of the CE or BW (acronyms for calving ease and birthweight, respectively) is low, like around 60% for instance, that means that there's a 60% chance that that yearling will sire low BW calves, but there's a 40% chance that he will not sire low BW calves. As JHM said, that accuracy score, as well as the EPD score, changes as more and more of that sire's calves hit the ground.

 

[karl e. lutz the great]

Of course, there is no perfect bull (just as there is no perfect man. Oh wait---the guy who dated my wife before she married me was perfect----- but I digress).
My wife married the perfect man. Just ask me and I can verify.She knows her opinion is just what I tell her?She will never see this unless I let her have access to the computer.Right after shoes when the baby is born.

 

[karl e. lutz the great]

Really I appreciate the input from all of you guys and the helpfull tone you have. I dont come away from this feeling stupid. Just educated.

 

[jhm47]

Karl: Is it really you? I've always wanted to meet you. My wife has always talked glowingly about you and all your great accomplishments. Are you still on the covers of GQ and Men's Fitness magazines as often as you were in the '70's? And I'm sure that your superior intellect has enabled you to become a billionaire by now. Gosh, I'd sure like to get together with you so you could share your insights on how to treat a lady. My wife has told me sooooo much about you and how I could improve myself if I were more like you. Maybe we could get together for lunch someday soon? I have a coupon for Mc Donalds that will expire next week.

 

[karl e. lutz the great]

Sorry jetting to the mcdonalds in paris to mentor sarcozy all week. Maybe next time!

 

[karl e. lutz the great]

Angus dexter cross was good. @ bull calves no problems,now do I cross the gurnsey bull with the galloway or do i go dexter galloway