Next bull for suckler herd

[DefenderDave]

Hi all, we currently run an ayr calving suckler herd which are limmy x Friesian (from the old dairy herd here) put to a Simmental bull which produce some cracking calves. His offspring have then been put to a Saler bull as a separate herd, but the calves have been disappointing in comparison to the Simmys.

Just wondering what breeds people would recommend to replace the Saler with, as currently top of the cards is another Simmental. Although we aren’t sure if we want the bloodlines to become too pure incase we get any health issues as the herd is currently fairly low maintenance.

Father in law isn’t keen on anything native as everything is Finished intensively on farm. Yet I don’t want anymore limmy blood in the herd as they are flighty enough as it is!

 

[farmerclare]

Got to be a British Blue

 

[Anymulewilldo]

oh dear... I was going to suggest Blonde or Bazadaise. but they are worse tendancy to be flighty than the Lim.


Are you REALLY sure you don't want to just cross a bit more Lim in there??

 

[Ribble]

What features were disappointing about the calves?

 

[beefandsleep]

Assume you wish to keep the heifers or some of them to bull?
If you don’t want another Sim due to cow size but want to maintain the value of the calves then possibly consider an moderately framed Angus. Then back to Sim. Or stick with Sim and buy Lim cross bulling heifers which I assume is what you have been doing up to now.
If it’s a purely terminal cross then Charolais.

 

[tr250]

Why was the saler picked in the first place? Was it for herd replacements or as a terminal sire? In my opinion they make good cows ans are brilliant on heifers but are not good enough for a terminal sire that’s why most people put a charalais bull on them

 

[Agrivator]

Compared to a Saler, a Limousin is very docile.

 

[tr250]

Compared to a Saler, a Limousin is very docile.

Rubbish. how many cattle are you using as a comparison. Saler can be protective at calving but wild they are not

 

[milkloss]

Why not Chuck a Charlie in?

 

[Agrivator]

Rubbish. how many cattle are you using as a comparison. Saler can be protective at calving but wild they are not

Being overprotective at calving is one of the worst behavioural traits in cattle. It's one of the main reasons for deaths in stockmen, and a good reason for culling.

 

[tr250]

Being overprotective at calving is one of the worst behavioural traits in cattle. It's one of the main reasons for deaths in stockmen, and a good reason for culling.

I totally agree was just stating it for a balanced argument you were saying how wild they are! How many saler cattle are you basing the breed being wild on??

 

[beefandsleep]

Being overprotective at calving is one of the worst behavioural traits in cattle. It's one of the main reasons for deaths in stockmen, and a good reason for culling.

I agree totally, and I would say there is also a strong correlation with the temperament of the calves as well.

 

[Skintagain]

Friesian?

 

[livestock 1]

Limmy. Buy some 7ft gates and a gum shield. You will be fine

 

[puppet]

We have a Saler and Limousin bull who are quiet as a lamb and I can walk through a shed of their offspring. A lot depends on the individual beast. Saler is easy calving to heifers and we are looking for cow replacements to go back to Limousin so will accept slower growing steers.
Back with Angus too now to get more black cows and finished AA has a premium.

 

[irish dom]

I totally agree was just stating it for a balanced argument you were saying how wild they are! How many saler cattle are you basing the breed being wild on??

Glad you have sociable Salers. I scan quite a few pure and crossbred saler cows ( few thousand) and i would have a limo over them any day. They are very dangerous cattle to handle as they would walk through you and have no fear. Saying that i would love a pen of those lovely orange char x calves to sell. Apart from their temperament they make great cows. Most people put up with them and everyone i know has them will tell you they are knobs BUT....

 

[beefandsleep]

One farm I buy from regularly has both lims and Angus out of near pure lims. What the Angus lose in confirmation grade (half a grade at most) they more than make up for in growth, they are easily the first out of the shed, no problem getting top weight and better fleshed too. What I am saying is that out of continental cows I wouldn’t be afraid of using an Angus to keep replacements from as you won’t lose anything in the steers. If it’s going onto simmy cows milk shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Rubbish. how many cattle are you using as a comparison. Saler can be protective at calving but wild they are not

That goes both ways though. People say lims are mad. I’ve never had a wild lim bull. I get the odd flighty lim cow but it mixes in with the umpteen wild Angus cows I still have!

 

[tr250]

That goes both ways though. People say lims are mad. I’ve never had a wild lim bull. I get the odd flighty lim cow but it mixes in with the umpteen wild Angus cows I still have!

We have 4 lim bulls at the moment and none are wild but the heifer stirks are always a bit scatty

 

[Optimus]

Hi all, we currently run an ayr calving suckler herd which are limmy x Friesian (from the old dairy herd here) put to a Simmental bull which produce some cracking calves. His offspring have then been put to a Saler bull as a separate herd, but the calves have been disappointing in comparison to the Simmys.

Just wondering what breeds people would recommend to replace the Saler with, as currently top of the cards is another Simmental. Although we aren’t sure if we want the bloodlines to become too pure incase we get any health issues as the herd is currently fairly low maintenance.

Father in law isn’t keen on anything native as everything is Finished intensively on farm. Yet I don’t want anymore limmy blood in the herd as they are flighty enough as it is!

A good Angus bull or bb would do well on those type of cows.