So thirty years ago when any Angus bull would throw a little easy calved black calf, what’s happened and where are they now?? Emphasis on “little”, when we milked dad used Angus on dairy cows, all black an white big cows, always small little calf, so why now do we even have to think about what cow to put it on?? Because they’re so far removed from what they were! if you used a black lim you’d have the easy calving and a black bull to look at, plus a very desirable calf to sell, isn’t the Angus scheme not what it once was any way???
Worcester Aberdeen Angus sale 3rd April.
- Thread starter exmoorromney
- Start date
exmoorromney
Member
So all Lims are easy calving are they? I don't know what point you are trying to make really. If you want to use a Lim use a Lim, if you want to use an Angys or a Charolais or a Blue etc etc then the worlds your oyster, pick a breeder you like for that particular breed or go to a sale for that breed where there will be a good choice and buy one. All the breed bashing and cock waving on here is tiresome and boring.
I’m not breed bashing, I like an Angus, an I haven’t got a big cock to wave about although I do have children so my cock does work!! I’m interested if there are any traditional Angus left or are they a thing of the past??? An I asked a genuine question about the Angus scheme?? I’ve got several bulls an one is a lim but I couldn’t give a feck what colour it is I just want a live calf, an I try an breed what the market wants!!
- Location
- North of Perth
Last real traditional ones I saw were in Australia of all places.as for AA scheme seems to be slipping a bit.not going to put me off though.I've got some cracking Angus cows at the moment.
exmoorromney
Member
I guess your last sentence would suggest why the Angus breed has changed so much over the last 30 years, breeders would have been trying to supply what the market wanted and compete with the continentals that were coming over. I'm not saying this was the correct way to go but the market wanted growth and size rightly or wrongly. There are traditional Angus out there and if you asked the society they would be able steer you in the right direction, the only herd I know of is the Dunlouise herd and their cattle look great from what I've seen. We try and breed high health, easy calving, easy fleshing, maternal, docile cattle with enough growth potential to suit the current market and our customers needs. On the subject of the Angus scheme, there is still a premium but yes I think it has reduced. Angus can still produce a good fat Bullock or heifer and leave a good margin off decent quality grass or a more intensive system if you find the right bulls which I'm sure is true of lots of breeds.
Mouser
Member
- Location
- near Belfast
Anybody heard of Angus bull throwing black and white calves out of dairy cows?
Beames
Member
- Location
- South wales
I’ll be heading up Saturday to have a look at possibly buying a few heifers.
exmoorromney
Member
Looks like a good run of females, should be something for everyone.
exmoorromney
Member
In the Angus breed standard cattle are allowed a bit of white on the belly, this is usually around the udder or testicles so I suppose it could be possible.
Mouser
Member
- Location
- near Belfast
These are properly black and white, look like fresians. Good job there for finishing as couldn't sell them as angus! Will be taking pics tomorrow to send to breeder.
exmoorromney
Member
That does sound a bit dodgy then. You might want to contact the society as well as all bulls should be DNA tested.
Having those little black calves is what puts me off tbh, i want calves that are built like lims but are registered angus for the premium. I wouldnt want a bull that threw a few red ones either
Ir's probably the black Holstein to blame. Some of the imported North American Angus cattle had distinct Holstein heads.
But if the Angus hadn't been improved over the last thirty years, it would now be as rare as hens' teeth or Herefords.
- Location
- Shropshire
There’s a genus bull the name escapes me we used the other year we had some grey some red and some with white feet and white blazes. On the head
Mouser
Member
- Location
- near Belfast
No black ones so far, 2 red and 6 black and white.
Yes there are traditional Angus cattle left bit they aren't easy to find. I bought a traditional bull from phepson Angus this week. He's very different from my other Angus bull more like the old Welsh blacks I remember when I was a kid. Small with a big belly not unlike the pee take picture on the price tracker thread.
Why buy him I hear everyone giggling to themselves after saying that.... I bought him to do a job. Breed smaller framed cows that put on flesh easily while cleaning up grazing behind the sheep and hold that condition there so she can outwinter on less feed. And get back in calf on some sub standard grass. Limousine cows couldn't do that very well. The Angus crosses (from my 'limousine type' angus bull) from those are better, especially at getting in calf, but they are still too big. Last year's heifers due to have their second calves any day now were all 650kg+ when I weighed them at turnout a couple of weeks ago. The 3rd and 4th calf ones are all bigger again.
Hopefully it will bring size down and generally make life easier, and cheaper. Then they can go back to a 'limousine type' bull again and go back and forth between the two types like that. Or that's the plan will have to see how it goes.
Angus premium is still better than normal price though. It was 40ppk more but I think it's 30ppk now or it was last time I sent some. Might be less again now. But the real saving with them isn't just the price it's that they are much easier to finish in my experience.
An auctioneer told me 5 years ago that the angus job was over done and wont last,but there is still a premium,its down to individual preferences.
I drive around the countryside looking over the hedge thinking they look some cracking cattle I’d like to own them I sometimes think I would change breed every year.
I don’t always think it’s about out and out profit sometimes it’s just about what you personally like and not knocking something someone else likes.
I drive around the countryside looking over the hedge thinking they look some cracking cattle I’d like to own them I sometimes think I would change breed every year.
I don’t always think it’s about out and out profit sometimes it’s just about what you personally like and not knocking something someone else likes.
- Location
- West Somerset
Got a Fordel Angus here to a similar job to yours, first calves now hitting the ground running!
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exmoorromney
Member
I will certainly be looking at Fordel bulls when we next need one, very impressed with what I've seen from them.
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
I believe there is a genetic study in the offing regarding AA cattle. If the equivalent on the Hereford is anything to go by, it should make very interesting reading. Significantly less genetic similarity between modern and traditional than can be explained by selective breeding. In both cases, the 'original population' cattle are a small percentage of the breed, very small in the case of the Angus.