What way to go with Angus cattle

[valtra 101]

currently running 200 angus x suckler cows calving to the Angus Bulls which are doing a good job for us selling bullocks as store and keeping heifers as replacements and ones we don't ones store aswell.used to be limousine Bulls but cattle got too wild.just wondering where to go with them,keep with the Angus or introduce another cross into the herd like maby a shorthorn or even a Simmental to keep them milky.we not having any problems with milk on them yet but just trying to stay on step ahead of the game,what's everyone's view?

 

[Blaithin]

Sim is a very popular cross here right now with the Angus. Lots of farmers liking the mothering and that they can just leave the cows be. Sadly they're running into issues with the heifers being spastics but if your numbers are small enough that you can work easily with them instead of them being range cattle that shouldn't be an issue. Milk is good and you up your twin percentage for any replacements you keep if that's something you're interested in. You can also use the black Sims which help with the markets preference for good black calves.

What're the cows crossed with? Just a mix mostly?

 

[valtra 101]

used to have a lot of cows out of friesian cows but not so many left in herd now,some limx angus but most will be heading towards being pure bred angus now.we bought in some cows with calves and some were simx cows but we do find they are throwing large calves,not had big issues calving them but they are definatlty to keep close eye on.havent kept any of the heifers from them sim cows as they are wild calves compared to the same sire on the angus cows so must be cummin from the mothers side.few people using the shorthorn now but havent seen how they sell in the store ring round here yet

 

[Blaithin]

Sim can definitely add high strung and big calves to your herd. Same as lim really. Gotta look for the right lines that are quieter and more narrow in the shoulder. We had quiet sims 15 years ago but back then it was all about the size and had serious calving issues with those bulls. Much better options these days if you look around.

 

[Dave6170]

We use a simmental. Was put off shorthorns for selling as stores, but they would be my preference for keeping heifers. Tried herefords, stores sold well, kept a few heifers but some are pretty dry.

 

[valtra 101]

what was wrong with the shorthorns as stores? nobody want them? still be a premium on them is there?

 

[Dave6170]

Don't think they're in demand as much. A finisher once told me what you made on the Shorthorn premium you lost on poor confirmation.
No doubt though shorthorns are improving fast, we could easily have them in the future.

 

[valtra 101]

we own one shorthorn cow with bull calf we bought but the calf wont make the grade as a bull so would need to go buy a good bulll

 

[Newguy]

You can also use the black Sims which help with the markets preference for good black calves

UK Sims are only available in red and white. (lots of diferent shades of red...)

A black stabiliser (sim angus?) would probably be the closest thing we have to a black sim?

 

[Blaithin]

UK Sims are only available in red and white. (lots of diferent shades of red...)

A black stabiliser (sim angus?) would probably be the closest thing we have to a black sim?

That should make calves smaller on the whole.

Ever thought of Stabilizers @valtra 101 ?

 

[valtra 101]

did buy a batch of cows once with stabilizer calves at foot and they did go on and grow well but they didnt sell as well as angus's even though u would say they looked the same as them

 

[Poorbuthappy]

did buy a batch of cows once with stabilizer calves at foot and they did go on and grow well but they didnt sell as well as angus's even though u would say they looked the same as them

I was going to suggest black stabiliser as a possibility.
You could still call them Angus X ! They'd have more Angus in them than an Angus X out of a non Angus cow iyswim. Might not help your own records with those you keep though.

What's @Hilly 's thinking - he's gone down similar route to you , getting purer and purer Angus.

 

[JP1]

@Alistair McLaren @Hilly

 

[tinsheet]

Trying a south Devon on my Angus x cows , hope to increase size and milk in replacements

 

[AGN76]

Trying a south Devon on my Angus x cows , hope to increase size and milk in replacements

Then which way?

 

[tinsheet]

Am a couple of years off that choice but rightly or wrongly likely Angus again,
What would you choose AGN76 bearing in mind my cows have to be low maintenance, e.g., not seen the calving Jack for 5 years or so

 

[AGN76]

@tinsheet We only have the one Angus in our mainly lim herd, and she doesn't cross well to lim so was debating using sim on her, hadn't thought of South Devon. But beyond that, Shorthorn? Blue?

 

[More to life]

Has anybody use breeds like flechvieh or montbeliatd to add milk and improve temperament some of the bulls look to have decent beef conformation

 

[Hilly]

currently running 200 angus x suckler cows calving to the Angus Bulls which are doing a good job for us selling bullocks as store and keeping heifers as replacements and ones we don't ones store aswell.used to be limousine Bulls but cattle got too wild.just wondering where to go with them,keep with the Angus or introduce another cross into the herd like maby a shorthorn or even a Simmental to keep them milky.we not having any problems with milk on them yet but just trying to stay on step ahead of the game,what's everyone's view?

To be honest the above could be me ! done exactly the same and wondering exactly the same, decided to stay pure for a few years to get more uniformity in heifers I keep but after that im not sure what to do.

 

[valtra 101]

To be honest the above could be me ! done exactly the same and wondering exactly the same, decided to stay pure for a few years to get more uniformity in heifers I keep but after that im not sure what to do.

I think I may introduce a shorthorn to some cows not the heifers yet and see what we get,can u get polled Bulls? Don't really want to start de-horning again