Which breed/cross for grass only fed beef?
- Thread starter 542
- Start date
- Location
- Near Colchester
Angus
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Just starting out renting a bit of a mixture of ground really, varying from 300-1000ft above sea level. Got a couple of hills with old P/P suitable for when cows are weaned/partial outwintering. And a variety of reasonable pastures down lower, with the plan of introducing some multi species mixes and possibly some fodder crops in the next year or two. Have also a couple of slatted sheds available. Nothing set in stone as to what to do yet and understand everyone/system is different but hearing other people’s ideas and successes is always good food for thought!
I’ve noticed that the term ‘grass fed’ does not actually mean 100% grass fed to a number of people! Can be slightly misleading!
The big stumbling block for many is keeping cattle through a second winter, especially if ground conditions don’t allow for outwintering. It would take very good grass and excellent quality forage to rear cattle to UK average killing weight with only one winter without any concentrates. Our cattle are on the small side for many (although many local butchers are happy with our 280 - 300 kg R4H carcass weight) but even so they really need to be 27-28 months old. However we are in Scotland and people down south can probably do better.
Keepers
Member
- Location
- South West
(This reply was a lot longer in my mind last night, Tramadol made it come out different..)
For a very thrifty cow who can produce and finish off entirely grass I think the ruby red Devon takes some beating.
However carcass size and overall growth isn’t great
Limo crossed onto the ruby red was still producing a finished carcass off grass and this year we tried south Devon bull onto the ruby cow
From the animals at work, it is consistently the Hereford crosses doing better off the grass and have faired better in the drought than the Angus bred animals
I think going forward if we were to increase cows it more be still towards a thrifty grass based cow (perhaps try a Hereford maternal line).
But wouldn’t have south Devon again, probably would try a stretchy Angus next time
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- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
People down this part who have tried all sorts over time, keep returning to angus.
Especially the low/zero input outfits, most other breeds do OK when confronted with heaps of lignified forage, but they just seem built for the job.
I'm led to believe that the breed has been "spoilt" but anything that has been done, can be undone, by careful selection.
Especially the low/zero input outfits, most other breeds do OK when confronted with heaps of lignified forage, but they just seem built for the job.
I'm led to believe that the breed has been "spoilt" but anything that has been done, can be undone, by careful selection.
- Location
- South West
I think you need either a native cow crossed to a continental bull or a continental cow crossed to a native bull.
You need to consider; longevity of cows and the bull, time to get to killing weight and grade required, your farms set up for wintering cows / finishing stock.
Seems Angus is a popular response but I think they need a continental cross to turn money. That's just me. Angus cows - blonde bull?
You need to consider; longevity of cows and the bull, time to get to killing weight and grade required, your farms set up for wintering cows / finishing stock.
Seems Angus is a popular response but I think they need a continental cross to turn money. That's just me. Angus cows - blonde bull?
- Location
- Scot Borders
As said above , depends which part of the country you’re in . Up here Angus all the way. Anything between 10 and 25 ppkg deadweight premium will be the cherry on the cake. Pick your bulls carefully though you will need a thicker type for grass finishing. Too many breeders up here trying to breed Angus like limmy’s or blues
It's not sensible in any way to try to rely solely on grass. During the grazing season it's fine, but during winter, a sensible amount of concentrate will have an enormous effect on efficiency. The animal will grow better, fatten quicker if that's what you want, and it will need much less hay, haylage or silage. And concentrate level can vary each year depending on roughage quality.
And at the end of the day, the muck will be more valuable and actually worth the cost of spreading.
And at the end of the day, the muck will be more valuable and actually worth the cost of spreading.
Chasingmytail
Member
- Location
- Newport, SE Wales
We are totally grassfed and mob/rotational grazing we have angus x shorthorn. Angus bull Nice size cows not heavy. Cope will outside most of the year Still out now as taking hay up and shocking it off the trailer. Small amount of stock inside keep the muck to make compost.
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I suppose it depends whether you're looking at niche/direct marketing and perhaps some form of 'pasture for life' or similar accreditation? Or simply looking to minimise concentrate use, make best use of the ground and facilities you have and sell cattle, store or fat, through the normal channels?
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Yes, and what your definition of "grass" is.
Most cattle should be easy on expensive grass, but not all is like that!
Expensive stuff - ie improved and short, "quality" grass is generally not wasted enough, so the grazing season is shorter than need be.
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- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
Angus X Blonde here and very happy with them. The Angus in them keeps the weight on them over the winter and the Blonde adds a bit of shape. I should add that through the winter my calves get a small amount of creep feed - ad lib to 5 months then rationed (1kg) to 10- 12 months when they are sold. This is an AYR calving closed herd. The biggest issue I have is that my cows are getting too big!!
- Location
- Fife
Angus or Hereford. Or cross between the two.
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I would think a Hereford x cow and an AA bull would be a good option for this type of system. Or maybe Stabiliser?
as has already become clear, there's as many answers as breeds.
Really, there's a lot more detail about your ground, labour skills and availability, and what your expectations are, to give concise answers.
Rainfall levels and mineral content/structure in soil are king.
If your 1000' ground is catching 90" of rain, facing the Western seaboard, with undrained peat and a ph through the floor.....well, I'd give up the idea of cows now while you still can.
If not, start loving Galloways or highlanders, and reset your watch to glacial timescales.
Everything gets easier from that point back.
At the opposite end of the scale, if your ground is good enough but you don't want high inputs, South Devons or Conti crosses. (SDs if your skill base is low)
'Grass-based' and housing availability suggests you're game to winter stock indoors on conserved fodder, and possibly utilise some hard feed.
This really opens up almost any possibility.