texasjohn
Super Member
Well, Russ, you asked, so I gotta answer....at the risk of taking this thread into a wild ride.
I recently sold some 500 lb heifers for about $1.20 a lb.
The OP raises mini-Herefords, I raise Beefmasters which is a different breed. I (and any other purebred breeder) can fill your ears with why "my" breed has many advantages compared to other breeds.
It's an emotional discussion founded on what you have in your pasture, what your daddy raised, your beliefs and total experience as a cowman, and your terrain/environment.
Fundamentally, to be happy and successful in the cow business (I didn't say profitable, different story), you need to understand your self and ability to handle cattle, your terrain, your forage/feed, environment, weather, local insect/parasite/illness problems, your equipment and facilities to carry cattle, to mention a few things.
No breed is perfect, no breed will work for all people in any location on the globe. Yet, any breed COULD work for SOMEBODY in ANY location.
Example, I wouldn't have a Hereford on the place. Problems where I live include tropical decline, ticks/insects, pink eye, eye cancers, they all look alike, heat intolerance, etc. They work well where they came from, Hereford, England.
AND YET, the OP has given valid reasons for his having his mini-Herefords and likely they will work well for him and he will enjoy them. I applaud his activities.
AND, Cyril has yet a different breed in a different part of the country and it's working for him. He's a hands on breeder. I understand that. I was too and enjoyed it...until I got tired of being pushed around by a herd of 25+ cattle that treated me just like a member of the herd. Ever get into a dominance discussion with with a 1400lb momma cow?? Won that discussion and fortunately my 2200lb bull had never been gentled to hands on, thus he retained his respect of me.
I once saw a comment from a true cowman, "There is more variance within a breed than between breeds." I believe it. The challenge is to obtain and retain the specific individual animals that fully meet your specific needs and unique animal husbandry situation. Ah, yes, therein lies the rub.:laughing:
Let the flames begin.
I recently sold some 500 lb heifers for about $1.20 a lb.
The OP raises mini-Herefords, I raise Beefmasters which is a different breed. I (and any other purebred breeder) can fill your ears with why "my" breed has many advantages compared to other breeds.
It's an emotional discussion founded on what you have in your pasture, what your daddy raised, your beliefs and total experience as a cowman, and your terrain/environment.
Fundamentally, to be happy and successful in the cow business (I didn't say profitable, different story), you need to understand your self and ability to handle cattle, your terrain, your forage/feed, environment, weather, local insect/parasite/illness problems, your equipment and facilities to carry cattle, to mention a few things.
No breed is perfect, no breed will work for all people in any location on the globe. Yet, any breed COULD work for SOMEBODY in ANY location.
Example, I wouldn't have a Hereford on the place. Problems where I live include tropical decline, ticks/insects, pink eye, eye cancers, they all look alike, heat intolerance, etc. They work well where they came from, Hereford, England.
AND YET, the OP has given valid reasons for his having his mini-Herefords and likely they will work well for him and he will enjoy them. I applaud his activities.
AND, Cyril has yet a different breed in a different part of the country and it's working for him. He's a hands on breeder. I understand that. I was too and enjoyed it...until I got tired of being pushed around by a herd of 25+ cattle that treated me just like a member of the herd. Ever get into a dominance discussion with with a 1400lb momma cow?? Won that discussion and fortunately my 2200lb bull had never been gentled to hands on, thus he retained his respect of me.
I once saw a comment from a true cowman, "There is more variance within a breed than between breeds." I believe it. The challenge is to obtain and retain the specific individual animals that fully meet your specific needs and unique animal husbandry situation. Ah, yes, therein lies the rub.:laughing:
Let the flames begin.
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