Heifer Breed

TPF2012

Hi all, just looking for some advice. Starting from scratch on small suckler farm in the West, what would be the best breed of heifer to purchase? Cattle would be foddered outdoors in winter.

tanko

If you could get good quality Aberdeen Angus heifers with a bit of size in them, they are easy fed, docile , have plenty of milk and are hardy animals for out wintering.

TPF2012

Yes Tanko, probably will get some AA stock. What in the line of continental breeds would be best suited for them conditions, do you think? Easy calving would be a big consideration.

tanko

Well if I was you I'd forget about Simmentals or Charolais or the like - hungry soft yokes that don't like hardship:D. Some kind of limousin or limousin x Angus or Hereford make good cows for marginal land IMO. I find out wintered cattle have far less trouble calving than cows which have been indoors all winter.

Mac Taylor

What do you plan to do with the calves? Finish them or sell as weanlings. If finishing AA would be fine, if selling as weanlings you will not get a great price for the AA (black is not a great seller) personally, I would go for shorthorn x and AI to lim or char. (Using easy calving sire and don't over feed!!) you should have good demand as weanlings especially the heifers. You will need some kind of a shed in case of a sick animal or cow calving.

Welcome btw!!!!

Miname

Speckled park are a nice breed if i was starting out. they are basically a shorthorn crossed with an aa. or ive had an irish moile cross limo heifer that unfortunately wouldnt go in calf. a bit of a fleck brought through in the calf is a big bonus with the west of ireland stock thats been brought up here. If you have a heifer of them they are worth a mint, theres 3 or 4 lads round here just buying those sort and selling them springing round here.

TPF2012

Hi Mac Taylor, will not be finishing, probably keep till their yearlings or 1.5 years old, that too long? Have access to small byre, very tight though. I like Lim, although seen some mad yokes of them before! I heard that before tanko, does it keep the cow more flexible or not as heavy when their out wintered?

Mac Taylor

TPF2012 wrote: »

Hi Mac Taylor, will not be finishing, probably keep till their yearlings or 1.5 years old, that too long? Have access to small byre, very tight though. I like Lim, although seen some mad yokes of them before! I heard that before tanko, does it keep the cow more flexible or not as heavy when their out wintered?

Keeps them exercised! Rather than just sitting and eating. No big issue keeping them to those ages as long as you can keep them split up. Sell everything as weanlings here. Don't have the land base or sheds to keep them longer. Find we make as much selling as weanlings. Nearly all Lims here. No major issue with temperament apart from my own!!! Tanko suggestion re Whx is not a bad one either.

TPF2012

Hi Miname, just checked out the Speckled Park, nice animals, polled too, don't care too much for dehorning, very stressful on cattle? And me.

tanko

Outwintered cows get more exercise so are fitter than cows which get lazy and possibly overweight when indoors. I reckon the temperament of limousin cattle has improved a lot in recent years and if they have enough milk they can make very good mothers.

LivInt20

TPF2012 wrote: »

Hi all, just looking for some advice. Starting from scratch on small suckler farm in the West, what would be the best breed of heifer to purchase? Cattle would be foddered outdoors in winter.

Salers heifers are the way to go.

Mac Taylor

LivInt20 wrote: »

Salers heifers are the way to go.

Saler bred with a ch. supposed to be great cross. Just make sure their milky. No more than the lim hear all sorts of stories re temperament. Neighbour has one and he says she is the quitest of them all.

tanko

Salers are becoming very popular in my area. They are supposed to have a strong maternal instinct and can be very protective of their newborn calf. They cross very well with Charolais bulls and even better with Culard Charolais bulls. Saler cows are also reckoned to have very good calving ability.

onyerbikepat

What about 'Irish Moiled'? I saw some for sale up on Donedeal recently and they looked an interesting breed.
Also Native breeds qualify for the GLAS scheme payment of 200 euro per L.U.yearly. So one of the adds, says anyway.:D

http://www.donedeal.ie/beefcattle-for-sale/irish-moiled-cows/7478799

blue5000

Aubrac worth a look too, hardy continental breed.

bogman_bass

We've had no problems out wintering parthenaise here.

IMO the best cow going is the BBxFR stick an Angus or easy calving lim on the first year.

The two important thing you need to look out for since you are new to the game is that they are quiet heifers and that you use an easy calving bull for the first year at least until you have a feel for it

Farrell

tanko wrote: »

Salers are becoming very popular in my area. They are supposed to have a strong maternal instinct and can be very protective of their newborn calf. They cross very well with Charolais bulls and even better with Culard Charolais bulls. Saler cows are also reckoned to have very good calving ability.

Have 1, good milk & muscling calves too.
W
Might introduce some meal soon & calf is way ahead.

piebaldskwbald

Been breeding Salers for a number of years now. Great calves= long and slender but good weanling and yearling weights. Cows have a large wide pelvis so easy calving even to Charlies or BB. We've never had a pull or section with ours. Best of luck with it.

john8984

TPF2012 wrote: »

Hi all, just looking for some advice. Starting from scratch on small suckler farm in the West, what would be the best breed of heifer to purchase? Cattle would be foddered outdoors in winter.

Saler heifers good to start with. I have found them very good for outdoors in winter, easy calvers, good mothers and in my experience very quiet & docile.

Deano7

LM heifers crossed to BB. Export quality weanling but in your first year use an easy calving bull. Depending on how many you buy will determine if you use AI or a Bull. If your doing AI and not there during the day and not used to the signs of heat you will need a heat detection aid. Also if your working you will need to pick a time that suits you to calve, just remember the farm should work around you not you working around the farm.