What would you put to a Wagyu bull?

[01smartc]

Evening- as title,

If you had the choice, and the desired end product was for direct sale to restaurants or farm shops for top quality beef.

What breed would you cross with a Wagyu bull?

Ideally something that would winter out..

Thanks alot

 

[Woolless]

Angus would tick the box for meat quality, bloke in Northumberland crosses them for high end beef. Might be marginal for outwintering though, dependent on type and conditions. A black baldy maybe?

 

[AF Salers]

If native breed wasn't required then a Saler would out winter very well, if native breed required then Galloway or Hereford possibly

 

[Wooly]

Another Wagyu or a native breed, depending on your location.

Or even on jersey cows.

@dontknowanything may be the man to offer advice.

 

[bogman_bass]

If it was me I'd find a dairy farmer, give him the bull and get the calves back in exchange. He wants his cows in calf and easy calving and you have your calves for finishing

 

[dontknowanything]

Wangus is a popular cross. Probably Jersey for ultimate quality, but will make a small carcass

 

[01smartc]

Ok, cheers

Angus was my obvious choice but I thought may not winter out that well? It also seems to have been done alot - I fancied something a but different to add market value.

So a Jersey will produce better meat you think? Whys is that? And what weight is a small carcass?

I was thinking highland might be a good choice? What are your thoughts

New to all of this so appriciate all of your help

Chris

 

[Henarar]

A British blue
we did
looks like it needs something to put some shape in to them

 

[spin cycle]

onion rings and bbq sauce

 

[dontknowanything]

A British blue
we did
looks like it needs something to put some shape in to them

That would be just about bottom of the list

 

[dontknowanything]

Ok, cheers

Angus was my obvious choice but I thought may not winter out that well? It also seems to have been done alot - I fancied something a but different to add market value.

So a Jersey will produce better meat you think? Whys is that? And what weight is a small carcass?

I was thinking highland might be a good choice? What are your thoughts

New to all of this so appriciate all of your help

Chris

Jerseys have the best marbling of any breed beside Wagyu, but they are small and have poor feed conversion (and conformation if you're into that).

How small depends on how old you want them etc, but Wagyu and Jersey animals are roughly the same size.

 

[bogman_bass]

The problem with jerseys is you get yellow fat.
The people that are buying them don't really know much about cattle. I would cross with something that adds some muscle and growth rate if you want to go the suckler route. Oh and with milk. Wagyu are already small and narrow. No point in crossing to a jersey to produce the same product at a reduced price. Any cross of a suckler cow thast you can pick up cheap

 

[dontknowanything]

Yes Jerseys can have yellow fat. But with a 50% cross, as long as you keep beta carotene out of the diet you should be OK I think. But this cross is only if you want to get really high quality meat, it won't make any money unless you have a special outlet willing to pay a premium. Otherwise Wangus is still a good bet. I wouldn't cross it with anything lean like a continental or highland.

 

[tinsheet]

Highland!

 

[01smartc]

Why not with a highland? Too lean?

Angus is probally going to be best bet then by sound of it!

 

[01smartc]

Highland!

Yes to Highland or no?

I thought it sounded like a good idea..

 

[Henarar]

That would be just about bottom of the list

why ?

 

[Henarar]

I would cross with something that adds some muscle and growth rate if you want to go the suckler route. Oh and with milk.

British blue

 

[bogman_bass]

British blue

Belguim blues are just a touch too lean

 

[dontknowanything]

why ?

Because there's no point crossing a Wagyu with something lean, it defeats the purpose of using high marbling genetics.