Are Native x Dairy more hardy than Continental x Dairy?

[Newby]

Are Native x Dairy any more hardy than Continental x Dairy cows as sucklers?
Are Continental x higher input?

 

[GTB]

Yes and yes

 

[Old Tip]

Yes and Yes, unless its a Simmy (some may say)

 

[rhuvid]

Yes. As we have found, a AA or He X dairy will be easier kept than a lim or sim X. Slightly smaller framed cow, which keeps her condition better.

 

[M-J-G]

There are natives and there are natives, but yes if a hill bred Galloway were crossed with a Holstein it would be tougher than say a BB or Lim X Holstein.

But I'd say that something like an AA x Hol isn't much tougher than many continentals.

Some breeds like a Hereford or Shorthorn will add an ability to carry fat better than many continentals, with the Hereford having the ability to dramatically reduce the desire of the Holstein to milk themselves to bits.

 

[M-J-G]

Yes and Yes, unless its a Simmy (some may say)

Sim x Holstein? for going through a parlour maybe, unless some breeders get their way and continue in their attempts to turn them into a terminal one trick pony.

 

[CharcoalWally]

Well , since a lot of Native bulls are now actually taller off the ground than most Continental bulls , you'd need to select your bull with care.

Some of these massive AA and BSH bulls are going to leave giraffes rather than cows. Massive things that off a Hol, cow are going to be like a toast rack. Easy kept - never.

Horses for courses - perversely , the more dumpy , old fashioned Native bulls that aren't popular for going on beef cows will be exactly the sort of thing to go on to a Holstein cow.

 

[GTB]

According to a few Hereford breeders I've spoken to, most dairy farmers aren't too fussy about the bulls they buy as most calves are sold at a couple of weeks old.

 

[M-J-G]

According to a few Hereford breeders I've spoken to, most dairy farmers aren't too fussy about the bulls they buy as most calves are sold at a couple of weeks old.

That's not a great advert for dairy x replacements, I wonder is that the case with all beef breeds bought by dairies?

 

[GTB]

That's not a great advert for dairy x replacements, I wonder is that the case with all beef breeds bought by dairies?

Not necessarily. Some of them rear and finish all their calves so are concerned about how their calves turn out, but again, they're more concerned with growth and finishing ability than maternal values.

 

[foxbox]

Are Native x Dairy any more hardy than Continental x Dairy cows as sucklers?
Are Continental x higher input?

We've got Hereford X, Sim X and a few AA X dairy in our suckler herd and the Herefords are by far the most consistent.

The Sim X cows have tended to have a lot worse feet and picked up the more random problems in the herd but they've also got tighter udders and seem less prone to mastitis. They also seem less settled than the Herefords, cull values higher too but we're having to cull them more regularly.

The Herefords are quieter, smaller, easier to manage, last a long time in the herd and consistently produce an excellent calf. In the autumn they also regain condition after weaning but before they are housed a lot quicker than the Sims which stand still in that time meaning we can save a little on feed costs.

Where would you source Hereford X replacements up your way @Newby ?

 

[foxbox]

According to a few Hereford breeders I've spoken to, most dairy farmers aren't too fussy about the bulls they buy as most calves are sold at a couple of weeks old.

That's the most frustrating thing; I'd gladly pay more for Hereford X replacements where some thought had gone in to the bull used to produce a decent suckler cow rather than just having had a named sire lobbed in. You can't get a calf in the bulk tank though so it appears the vast majority aren't at all bothered .

 

[Newby]

Where would you source Hereford X replacements up your way @Newby ?

You get a few in at the markets I go to, but they are very much few and few between.

 

[MJT]

Hereford X Fresian used to be queen of the UK suckler industry. Sadly Holstein came along and fudged the job up. Pre foot and mouth we tried lim X , blonde X , bbx , sim X Holsteins and they all needed more looking after than the Angus and Herrfords we tried.

 

[GTB]

We bought some Hereford x Holstein heifers for breeding. They had poor conformation, were always lean and if anything had too much milk. We put a Hereford bull on them and the resultant heifers have made good sucklers. They are pretty damn close to the Hereford x British Friesians of old.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Are Continental upland breeds as hardy as our natives? Salers for example?

Has anyone tried Salers X dairy as a suckler replacement?

 

[Newby]

Has anyone tried Salers X dairy as a suckler replacement?

They get a few calves through leyburn but never seen one grown.

 

[M-J-G]

Are Continental upland breeds as hardy as our natives? Salers for example?

Has anyone tried Salers X dairy as a suckler replacement?

Saler, Limousin and Simmental are all upland continental cattle so, take from that what you will.

 

[glensman]

Saler, Limousin and Simmental are all upland continental cattle so, take from that what you will.

I think the saler are more upland than the other two .

 

[M-J-G]

I think the saler are more upland than the other two .

Really? More upland than the Alpine cow with the bell round here neck?