how do you guys like my new show heifer

[WildRoseBeef]

Black Baldies are cool but you have to breed an Angus bull to the Hereford cow because if you do it the other way around the Angus cows might not be able to birth the calf because of the large head size. Herefords have huge heads so it can make it difficult. I know someone who knows a guy and he lost 23 of his 25 Angus cows that way. They died giving birth.

I think I would disagree...I don't think it makes any difference which way you cross them, as some Herefords don't have the big ol' pallet heads. The one guy you mention must've either made a really poor choice in bull selection (i.e., really high birth-weight EPD that he didn't see or should've seen but didn't) or something was wrong with his cows. There are a lot of producers who put Hereford bulls on Angus cows and of those producers I've never heard of anything like that happen before.

As matter of fact I'm sure you can get the same problem with Angus bulls on Hereford cows. Angus bulls with very low calving ease numbers and high birth weights would make it hard for a Hereford cow to give birth.

I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here but you can't let one freak accident story make you think that it's common or the same thing will or did happen with every other herd in the country or continent or heck even world.

 

[cedarcurve]

I agree with WRB

and to the OP-- your heifer needs groceries if you intend for her to be a competitive show heifer at most shows.

PS. I'd like to hear your definition of the difference b/w a Herf/ Angus baldy, and a black herf.

 

[Blackhereford boy]

I agree with WRB

and to the OP-- your heifer needs groceries if you intend for her to be a competitive show heifer at most shows.

PS. I'd like to hear your definition of the difference b/w a Herf/ Angus baldy, and a black herf.

That was the first day I got her off the pasture she looks a lot better now. Plus she is only 3 months old I know that is early but the shows are this month and I really needed her up at the barn.

As for the difference I don't know But here is the link to the association www.blackhereford.com

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Black Baldies are cool but you have to breed an Angus bull to the Hereford cow because if you do it the other way around the Angus cows might not be able to birth the calf because of the large head size. Herefords have huge heads so it can make it difficult. I know someone who knows a guy and he lost 23 of his 25 Angus cows that way. They died giving birth.

I think I would disagree...I don't think it makes any difference which way you cross them, as some Herefords don't have the big ol' pallet heads. The one guy you mention must've either made a really poor choice in bull selection (i.e., really high birth-weight EPD that he didn't see or should've seen but didn't) or something was wrong with his cows. There are a lot of producers who put Hereford bulls on Angus cows and of those producers I've never heard of anything like that happen before.

As matter of fact I'm sure you can get the same problem with Angus bulls on Hereford cows. Angus bulls with very low calving ease numbers and high birth weights would make it hard for a Hereford cow to give birth.

I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here but you can't let one freak accident story make you think that it's common or the same thing will or did happen with every other herd in the country or continent or heck even world.

I'm not saying it can't be done, I am simply saying that that has happened. It is not the weight of the calves but the size of their head. Most Herefords have much larger heads that most of breeds of cattle. I do not know about the experience of the cattle breeder who's cows died but the guy who told me this knows everything you can about cattle and has owned them for forever. He is a vet and has AI'ed thousands and has owned many. He has done way too many surgeries than you can count. Again, I am not saying it can not be done, I am saying that I trust this guys opinion more than anybody else's.

 

[cedarcurve]

Black Baldies are cool but you have to breed an Angus bull to the Hereford cow because if you do it the other way around the Angus cows might not be able to birth the calf because of the large head size. Herefords have huge heads so it can make it difficult. I know someone who knows a guy and he lost 23 of his 25 Angus cows that way. They died giving birth.

I think I would disagree...I don't think it makes any difference which way you cross them, as some Herefords don't have the big ol' pallet heads. The one guy you mention must've either made a really poor choice in bull selection (i.e., really high birth-weight EPD that he didn't see or should've seen but didn't) or something was wrong with his cows. There are a lot of producers who put Hereford bulls on Angus cows and of those producers I've never heard of anything like that happen before.

As matter of fact I'm sure you can get the same problem with Angus bulls on Hereford cows. Angus bulls with very low calving ease numbers and high birth weights would make it hard for a Hereford cow to give birth.

I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here but you can't let one freak accident story make you think that it's common or the same thing will or did happen with every other herd in the country or continent or heck even world.

I'm not saying it can't be done, I am simply saying that that has happened. It is not the weight of the calves but the size of their head. Most Herefords have much larger heads that most of breeds of cattle. I do not know about the experience of the cattle breeder who's cows died but the guy who told me this knows everything you can about cattle and has owned them for forever. He is a vet and has AI'ed thousands and has owned many. He has done way too many surgeries than you can count. Again, I am not saying it can not be done, I am saying that I trust this guys opinion more than anybody else's.

there is as much variation within the herf or angus breeds-- as there is b/w the two breeds. I would bet one could find a herd of herf and a herd of angus-- that would be more consistent together in breeding ability-- just as often as you could find a herf breeder who's a polar opposite of another.

Any good, knowledgeable vet should know this and stand by it. Hate to say it, but I'd be seeking advice from another source.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Due to the fact that this has completely went away from what it was (Blackhereford boy's new heifer) I will not longer participate in this difference of opinions.

 

[bonbean01]

Back to the original post...good luck with her and I'm looking forward to photo updates! I've never shown an animal and have always thought it would be fun...had friends with show cattle and the bathing and grooming always appealed to me...plus with all that hands on stuff, they were super tame which I also loved I didn't get to have a 4H calf when I was a kid since my Mom thought I already spent too much time with the cattle and horses, so I got stuck with the 4H Homemakers...cooking and sewing...blah...LOL

 

[Symphony]

I agree with WRB

and to the OP-- your heifer needs groceries if you intend for her to be a competitive show heifer at most shows.

PS. I'd like to hear your definition of the difference b/w a Herf/ Angus baldy, and a black herf.

That was the first day I got her off the pasture she looks a lot better now. Plus she is only 3 months old I know that is early but the shows are this month and I really needed her up at the barn.

As for the difference I don't know But here is the link to the association www.blackhereford.com

So basically what the site says is we made Herefords black to go with the black back craze and the misunderstanding that black colored cattle make better quality meat.

 

[Blackhereford boy]

Thank you guys for all the comments on her. I hope she makes a good heifer!

 

[Symphony]

Black Baldies are cool but you have to breed an Angus bull to the Hereford cow because if you do it the other way around the Angus cows might not be able to birth the calf because of the large head size. Herefords have huge heads so it can make it difficult. I know someone who knows a guy and he lost 23 of his 25 Angus cows that way. They died giving birth.

Um, I would stick with Goats. I've never heard of Angus or Herefords having trouble birthing eithers calves unless the birth weight is going to be high and its a new mother. Its usually Charolais bred to Angus or Hereford that problems happen.