Tap said:
The best cow might be a regional thing. Where they have a lot of vigorous grass growth, maybe a continental breed is best. In a place where the pickings are very slim, look what the natives are running, and that is probably what works best. I know in places like the Great Basin, they have tried to introduce high performing cattle, and it just won't work. I read an article just this week where they tried to introduce a herd of high performing angus cows into that area north of Las Vegas. They had the highest weaning weights they had ever seen, but the breedback was horrid. I understand that the ranches that left natural selection to do their breeding have found a cow that fits well down there and breeds up ok too. In the areas where they get more snow in the Great Basin and feed some hay, they can get by with a little higher performing cow.
In this area our grass is short, but powerful, so you can use about whatever breed you choose. I still maintain that you have only so many acres to operate on, so you should use a breed that is the most efficient. I agreed with what George wrote. And our angus cows can winter out on native grasses with minimal supplement most years. That wouldn't work with a big continental cross animal. They might make it, but you would pay down the road.
Just a matter of personal preference.
I think you are quite right Tap in that region plays a large role in determining best breed type. In my area there is little doubt that exotics perform better than British, but from what I understand they would be a disaster in Arizona. There is a reason they raise brahmas in Brazil.... they survive where others wont.
All things in moderation though. I feel that a target of a 1400 lb cow gives me a herd that is efficient, easy keeping, easy calving and as profitable as I can get in my situation with a minimum of input. To keep a 1400 lb cow that milks, is fertile, lasts for over ten years and weans big healthy calves I want the blonde x. To keep them from getting too large I mix some angus back in.
Buyers tell me that our calves are allways their most profitable to feed, and because of that reputation we get a premium so I'm not gonna go making and drastic herd type changes.
