Clubby bulls for Plain old commercial cows

[LostFarmer]

I have a herd of 50 commercial cows with good milking and 1300 to 1500 lb cows.  Most are Angus, Hereford, and Simmental in a mix.  I have always used pure bulls on cross bred cows going back to the 3rd part of the mix.  Usually an Angus heifer bull then the Simmental or Hereford as the other bull.  I am currently AIing to some composite maternal bulls to make a set of cows that will produce steers.  I am not looking for the next all world calf.  I am looking for some solid county fair and small jackpot type cattle.  I hear use heatwave and from what I have seen you have a stud or a dud out of him.  I won't be keeping heifers out of this so all calves will be terminal.  Any suggestions on some clubby bulls that would work in one cross to make terminals. 

 

[Mainevent]

Well walks alone is the hot new thing for terminal calves. And they all are good solid calves that I've seen I haven't seen a dud yet. Just my opinion

 

[kfacres]

Really and honestly- i don't think you could go wrong with any newer type double carrier clubby bull that's been released in the past 2 or 3 years- especially these newer bulls that aren't big enough to breed cows as yearlings.  sounds like your cowherd is big enough frame and weight wise to productively counter balance those poor growing traits.  You have the clean genetics- may as well expand on them with dirty ones- you have the right idea about being strictly terminal as well.  If you have several cows- then try out a bull on about 10 each to get a feel for what he'll do. 

Some bulls that I can give you advice on, from a personal level that I really like for a situation like this: Jimmy the Greek, Warrant, Double Stuff, BOJO, Red Hot, Herfwave, and really about any Heatwave son out there. 

I've always speculated about using monopoly on higher % Angus cows-- but every body and their brother are claiming it works-- so I guess he proved me wrong...

I would keep the high percent Char and Sim bulls out of the equation-- they might add too much performance to what you are seeking... 

 

[Gargan]

I agree that Walks alone will power up a plain cow as well as any bull ive seen to date. However i have seen a cripple out of him. Use him on cows that are sound, especially in the front legs and feet.

 

[Alpha]

Sun Seeker i pretty darn consistent

 

[mark tenenbaum]

Kleen ones-some proven some new,all out of very good cows: Breathe Easy,(out of Harrietta) INcredible Hulk(out of a MeyerxHarrietta,DMCC-bk Lifeline,Young Money,UB DMCC Top Fuel(solid red THICK,-low bw,double Cumberland-sired by Free For All)  Free For All,Gucci(oughta see the hair-and heifer safe) I-80,MB Steermaker-he is the thickest cleen one who ever lived-MCF Man o War-grandsire of Exile-x Warhorse,and about 50 others I cant remember at the moment O0

 

[chambero]

For county level calves, you can get some solid steers out of some of Maine including Irish Whiskey sons such as Paddy, Dubai, or Patton.

You might even get  a Hereford colored calf out Carpe Diem on cows like that which might be well received in your part of the world.

Monoply and Walks Alone will work fine also, both are exponentially more consistent for me than Heat Wave

 

[LostFarmer]

On the short list so far. Sun Seeker, Insanity (sun seeker, out of a Krytonite/Grizz cow), Stands Alone, Straight Shot (Irish Whiskey out of Whiplash's mother).  Monopoly doesn't excite me all that much on the non clubby cows but people say it works.  Jimmy the Greek will certainly power them up but they seem to be all over size wise.  Showed 2 last year.  Good but not good enough that I want to try him again. 

I have used the Straight Shot bull last year and they all came up heifers. I kept 2 that will be bred this spring but I am more intersted in live calves than show calves out of them at this point.  One is a solid red calf out of a sim-angus cow that will be getting Carpe Diem or the new Summit 17 bull that was displayed in Denver. 

I am not totally opposed to keeping heifers out of the clubby bulls hence the keeping the Straight Shot heifers.  Irish Whiskey has made some good productive cows and Whiplash and his mother need no introduction. 

This could be fun.  Most calves will be better than the hereford sired calves we are feeding out now. 

 

[Freddy]

Just my thought after being in the club calf deal for 4-5 years ,more money in raising good females than steers ,I was told when I first got into them by a guy who raised some Champions and also leading sire in the clubby business ...After 5 years I haft to agree,to raise a top steer out of those cows you need to find suitable type donors that will provide you with embryo's to put in those commercial cows ....COMpetition has really tightened up on the steer deal ,you might also raise a herd bull or a champion heifer ,depends on what kind of donor you pick and you could deversify your program more and also keep some heifers for improving your cow herd ....Proably need to get good friends with someone that is honest and has knowledge of the business in your area ....

 

[Limiman12]

Are you just talking about a  handful of calves for your kids and perhaps a few neighbors?  The best answer might depend on how many cows you are breeding.    If you are just looking for personal use steers,  Breeding a handful to sexed seman might be the best option so you don't mess up what I assume has been a profitable herd on any more cows then you need to.   

Personally, I am Ina similar boat to what you describe,  We sell a very few to local kids for county fairs and will be looking for calves for my kids Ina few years.  If you typically keep replacements, why would you breed to something you would not keep a heifer out of?  I assume you will be breeding your top end cows, why go to the work of AIing if you are going to automatically not be keeping heifers out of your best cows?

So like I said, either sexed semen as few as you can get by with, or use something that you would potentially keep a heifer out of or at least could sell heifers as breeding heifers to someone else.

 

[hamburgman]

Something to ponder: With the price of feeder cattle right now does it pay to try and chase more money with club calves with a commercial herd?  Success seems to rely on marketing an awful lot, so if you have lots of time to work with calves and give them the "look" then it would be worthwhile.  Otherwise just stick with $1300 feeder calves would be my suggestion.  Honestly it is the route we are taking this year.  Breeding just a few consistent cows clubby the rest commericial.

 

[LostFarmer]

Looking for 3 to 4 steers for my own kids.  Not looking to make it selling steers out of this herd.  I can buy steers anytime.  We have done so and can buy them from a good breeder.  Just wanted to try and breed my own.  Pride factor of raising your own and beating the smack talking neighbor.   <rock>  

We have been competitive with calves out of this herd as in Reserve and class winners.  We have won it all with calves that we purchased.  It is not about making our own.  

 

[ChristaCheatham]

I am doing AI for the first time as well, but only on 2 cows and a heifer. I'm looking at Brilliance for the heifer, Grandmaster for a 2nd calver, and Eye Candy on the 4th calver. I've heard that Eye Candy throws some good ones.

 

[WH1]

Hi. New member here looking for advice. I have a small commercial herd. 25 momma cows. We want to breed a few to a clubby bull for my son for the local fair. Our herd is mostly black angus with a couple herefords and a few crosses. Also one old charlois cow. My neighbor has some clubby semen I could buy from him. Some of the bulls he has are. I 80, unstoppable, here I am, no worries, huff and puff, chopping wood,  milkman, rum chatta.  I know it's a broad question but if you were picking one or maybe 2 of those for a commercial cow who would you breed too? Thanks for any opinions.

 

[mark tenenbaum]

Hi. New member here looking for advice. I have a small commercial herd. 25 momma cows. We want to breed a few to a clubby bull for my son for the local fair. Our herd is mostly black angus with a couple herefords and a few crosses. Also one old charlois cow. My neighbor has some clubby semen I could buy from him. Some of the bulls he has are. I 80, unstoppable, here I am, no worries, huff and puff, chopping wood,  milkman, rum chatta.  I know it's a broad question but if you were picking one or maybe 2 of those for a commercial cow who would you breed too? Thanks for any opinions.//// All of the above-except maybe Milkman and Choppin Wood-both are potential cow killers I have a TON of Oldschool black and simm based club calf and thick maternal bulls for sale-major tank cleaning and cheap for what they are-many still in use O0

 

[Doc]

My picks would be I-80, Here I Am, No Worries and Huff N Puff.

 

[cowpoke]

I would suggest some proven embryo matings.The better the cow the better the calf. I have a nice set of basically maternal bred females that wean heavy calves. I have rented a top bull from Phil Lautner for over ten years and have had bulls such as MAB clone,Heatwave clone,Jackpot, Dakota Gold clone and Milkman for 3 years.Havent had one cripple and each year have sold several calves of witch one of the top ones pays the lease.They love the colored up ones to show but not at the salebarn

 

[hntwhitetail]

I would go Here I Am or Huff N Puff

 

[WH1]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning towards I 80 and here I am. And probably huff and puff for my charlois to try for a smoke colored one. Just helps knowing others like those bulls also. At this point not going the embryo route just because we are new to it. One step at a time. Thanks again.

 

[Tallcool1]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning towards I 80 and here I am. And probably huff and puff for my charlois to try for a smoke colored one. Just helps knowing others like those bulls also. At this point not going the embryo route just because we are new to it. One step at a time. Thanks again.

I-80 is certainly a great bull...but not much power there.  He is a first calf heifer safe type of bull, so don't be surprised if they don't have much to them.