new bull (Limo) v.s Old bull(angus)

[poorboy]

I just got a new bull 4 year old limousin ( double black,double polled)not sure about birth weight, I've been using a angus (he's 7) small birth and all the calves have been healthy, so far I've only had to pull 1 calf with him, they both lived.I have 3 questions the first I want to put on more roundness and faster growth. Will this new bull help with this? Second the angus "Slow Motion" I've noticed one of his testicles is becoming smaller, is this because of his age? third question is I just 2 more calves and one is a little bull he's 4 months old. Can I still band him?

 

[herfrds]

Pictures and pedigree would help on the first question.

The testicles will not always sit side by side so one will be drawn up and look smaller. If you are really concerned call in a vet to take a look.

Yes you can still band, but at that age give him a tetnus shot.

 

[poorboy]

I'll take pictures tomorrow, my concern with the testicles was fertility, I sold 3 cows about a month ago and one wasn't preg. but she was a 2 yr. old virgin it could have been her, just made me worry about the bull.it started pulling up over this last year.I'll take a pic.of it also.thank for the info. on the little bull I wasn't sure if he was to old or if it's even worth doing (banding). If it puts to much stress on him this late in the year I may not mess with it.

 

[jhm47]

As to the Limmi bull---yes, he will add more muscle and possibly more growth. He also will most likely sire bigger calves, so be prepared to assist those that need it. Limousin are often less docile than most cattle, and most don't have the mothering abilities or produce as much milk as Angus.

These are generalities, and there are always exceptions. I wish to stress that there is no perfect breed of cattle, and all breeds have positives as well as negatives.

 

[ohne]

What is your cow herd? Are they english breeds or continental breeds? A Limo crossed on a cow herd of english breeds (ie Hereford and Angus) will produce growthy calves due to hybrid vigor. This is why beef operations will utilize this mating as a terminal cross.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Limmi's are known for their smaller birth weights apart from the other continentals like Charolais and Simmental, but are also known to put on a lot more muscle versus fat. They're also really "fun" to work with.

 

[poorboy]

All of mine are angus but one she's brangus, so far the bull ain't been to bad mess with- he was shown as a calf- so that helps, I mean he ain't no pet but so far he ain't no freight train either-so far!I think I want to use him one year and then go back to a angus bull, just enough blood to get that extra weight and DNA into my herd but if I like the out come ,we'll just have to see. The fella weren't cheap so I'm praying he'll do his job well.
before I forget thanks for the help!

 

[herfrds]

If you are concerned about fertility have the vet come out and do a fertility test. That is always the best way.
We got into doing that after 1998. Our herd bull was bad and we didn't know it. We were a month and a half behind on calving.
Our clean up bull looked like crap after that season, but he was a busy boy.

 

[Sara]

Did you buy a bull without knowing birthweight? I don't think I'd buy a bull without knowledge of that, especially if you are breeding any heifers. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.