Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Herd Improvement With Black Baldy Cattle

By Eugenia Dickerson


Cattle ranchers know that there is little leeway between losing money or making it in the beef production business. The years of hard work in all weathers required to raise even the sturdiest animals on the open range mean that a barren cow or one that dies young is a real liability. Black Baldy cattle are showing ranchers a promising way to make their profit margin a little bigger. Reports of up to 20% annual increase are making beef producers sit up and take notice.

This type of cow is produced by using a Hereford bull to cover Aberdeen Angus cows. The consistent coloration of the hybrid is a result of two dominant genes - the white-face of the Hereford and the solid body color of the Angus. The crossbreeding brings the strengths of these two excellent breeds together, as results are showing.

The same coloration is found when Hereford females are mated with Angus bulls. First births can be difficult when both parents are Herefords. Using an Angus bull gives a calf with a lower birth weight and a smaller head, which is easier for a heifer in her first calving. This practice alone can cut herd losses to a significant extent.

Performance ratings are high is both birth statistics and growth patterns. The white-faced cows are known for early maturity, fertility, and longevity, all areas in which the purebreds have been having problems. They also exhibit excellent mothering talents and good milk production for their sturdy, fast-growing calves. Their gentle disposition comes to them from both sides, making them valuable in both the herd and the feedlot.

Part of this success comes from what is called hybrid vigor. Pure breeds involve a certain amount of interbreeding. Genetic defects are therefore passed down with ever-increasing frequency. By crossing two sound breeds, the off-spring have a greater chance of escaping the genetic weaknesses of either of the parent breeds. The black, white-faced cows live longer, conceive more readily, and are less susceptible to disease.

Both Herefords and Angus cattle are strong breeds known for soundness and reliable performance, so breeding to optimize their good characteristics makes a lot of sense. There are more Herefords in the world than any other breed, partly because they do well in many different climates and are easy to handle. Angus beef is well-known to many who see it on restaurant menus and in the meat department of grocery stores, since it's regarded as one of the best tasting meats on the market.

Baldies are popular in areas with hot sun, like Australia, where their dark color minimizes sunburn. In the American northwest, this breed is called Black Hereford. These great beef producing regions have extremes of weather that demand sturdy animals. Ranchers may love their cows but they cannot and do not pamper them.

Go online to learn more about Black Baldy cattle, including where breeding stock can be purchased. This remarkable hybrid type might be the key to increased herd performance and greater profits. The record of this white-faced, sable-coated animal tells it all.




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