Post by strojanherefords on Jul 10, 2020 21:54:40 GMT -6
By Baxter Black
Some columns are harder to write than others. Particularly on subjects that are touchy. There's a trend in the cattle business that has really picked up steam the last few years. This year this trend has become more apparent than ever. It involves the steady migration of commercial and purebred cattleman toward the exotic breeds; Limousin, Charolais and Simmental, especially. Followed closely by Gelbvieh, Murray Grey, and others.
This increase in popularity is almost always at the expense of the Hereford breed and that is the subject that I've got on my mind. Why is the trend happening? Is it good? What can be done to revive the Hereford?
The "why" is answered simply: Cattle feeders would rather feed crossbreds than straight Herefords.
Is it a good trend? Depends on whether you make a living selling Herefords or you work for the North American Limousin Foundation.
What can be done to revive the Hereford? If you feel like there is nothing wrong, if your one of the fellers who's seen a lot of changes in twenty-five years and been against every one of em, there's no point in you reading further. But if it bothers you, that on the average, your Hereford bull sales have been poorer than most other breeds, that your straight bred Hereford calves brought 2-4 cents less this fall than the Simmental/Angus cross calves, then read on, McDuff.
Is this trend a passing fancy, a phase that the industry is in? The main advantage exotic cross cattle have over straight Herefords is growth and efficiency; higher weaning weights and better feedlot gains. They don't get too fat too quick, but then neither do most Herefords. Both, on occasion, have to hustle to make grade. I don't expect the exotic breeders are gonna try and reduce their efficiency. If anything they are gonna improve it.
Historically, the Hereford breed has ruled the roost since the decline of the old longhorn. The 900 pound Hereford cow on the Nevada Desert still weans a 375 pound calf and breeds back eating nothing but Humboldt scenery. They've got hustle. Brahmer cross cattle have similar advantages in AZ, NM, FL, and Tx. But on the vast rangeland and prairies from northern CA, MT, and Co through the Midwest, this trend away from Herefords is real.
Its not a matter of promotion or marketing to revive the breed. It is deeper than that. It is a matter of being out performed.
So how do you improve weaning weights and average daily gain? Your breed your cattle for those qualities. You select and cull according to their ability to perform. Sure sounds, simple, huh?
Remember the Shorthorn?
December 1982
Some columns are harder to write than others. Particularly on subjects that are touchy. There's a trend in the cattle business that has really picked up steam the last few years. This year this trend has become more apparent than ever. It involves the steady migration of commercial and purebred cattleman toward the exotic breeds; Limousin, Charolais and Simmental, especially. Followed closely by Gelbvieh, Murray Grey, and others.
This increase in popularity is almost always at the expense of the Hereford breed and that is the subject that I've got on my mind. Why is the trend happening? Is it good? What can be done to revive the Hereford?
The "why" is answered simply: Cattle feeders would rather feed crossbreds than straight Herefords.
Is it a good trend? Depends on whether you make a living selling Herefords or you work for the North American Limousin Foundation.
What can be done to revive the Hereford? If you feel like there is nothing wrong, if your one of the fellers who's seen a lot of changes in twenty-five years and been against every one of em, there's no point in you reading further. But if it bothers you, that on the average, your Hereford bull sales have been poorer than most other breeds, that your straight bred Hereford calves brought 2-4 cents less this fall than the Simmental/Angus cross calves, then read on, McDuff.
Is this trend a passing fancy, a phase that the industry is in? The main advantage exotic cross cattle have over straight Herefords is growth and efficiency; higher weaning weights and better feedlot gains. They don't get too fat too quick, but then neither do most Herefords. Both, on occasion, have to hustle to make grade. I don't expect the exotic breeders are gonna try and reduce their efficiency. If anything they are gonna improve it.
Historically, the Hereford breed has ruled the roost since the decline of the old longhorn. The 900 pound Hereford cow on the Nevada Desert still weans a 375 pound calf and breeds back eating nothing but Humboldt scenery. They've got hustle. Brahmer cross cattle have similar advantages in AZ, NM, FL, and Tx. But on the vast rangeland and prairies from northern CA, MT, and Co through the Midwest, this trend away from Herefords is real.
Its not a matter of promotion or marketing to revive the breed. It is deeper than that. It is a matter of being out performed.
So how do you improve weaning weights and average daily gain? Your breed your cattle for those qualities. You select and cull according to their ability to perform. Sure sounds, simple, huh?
Remember the Shorthorn?
December 1982
