Soapweed said:Silver said:Soapweed said:Speaking of "input costs," this could include such things as hard calving, horns, bad bags, prolapses, disposition problems, non-uniformity of the final product, bad feet that need to be trimmed, etc. This is where the Angus shine. There are very few if any "extra" input costs. For an easy to run operation with a desirable saleable end product, Angus are pretty hard to beat.
Soapweed, I would say that nearly all the things you listed come down to good management rather than breed tendancies, and it sounds like you've done a fine job of managing your herd. It gets back to the old adage that there is more difference within breeds than between them.
We don't knowingly keep problem cows. They get one chance to be good mommas, and if they blow it, off to town they go. On another thread, the topic was trimming cows' feet. When we have to start trimming cows' feet on this outfit is probably the day we will quit ranching.
Cows with feet problems aren't a best biological fit. Cows that cause me more work become my next paycheck!
Silver, I agree, but I think the differences within breeds have come about because breeders aren't breeding and selecting/culling for breed character. Look at all the "black" wanta be's...that's single trait selection for a non-breed characteristic...which hurts other traits.