Improving culling skills

[comercialfarmer]

The purpose of this post- I am trying to improve my judging skills so that I can improve my family‘s “commercial” herd phenotypically.  I am hoping to get some quality critical opinions here.   So to improve my culling skills, I would appreciate you listing what you see as the good (if any) and the bad characteristics of the pictured calves.  I am not of the opinion that they are something special,  just looking to better my skills.    

These are AI’d (I will not list which AI bulls to eliminate biases in opinions) crossed calves from commercial angus or predominately angus cows with a very small percentage of Maine influence.  My goal is to eventually produce a cross breading program that will put a butt end on our angus moma cows, take advantage of hybrid vigor, and look a little fancier on sale day- and hopefully get some home replacements in the process.  

Thanks in advance for your opinions.  

Sorry about quality of the pictures- from my smart phone and I thought they were better.

They were born the last week of March. 

Bull Calf

http://[http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn153/gh2002gh/128.jpg/img]
[img]http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn153/gh2002gh/121.jpg

Heifer Calf

Heifer Calf 2

 

[Bradenh]

i really like them. not alot wrong from a 'non-showring' perspective. i would definatly like to see our commercial calves looking like that

 

[comercialfarmer]

This is the same bull in the first two pictures- these pictures did not post for some reason.  

 

[afhm]

Looks like you could stand to add some bone to them if you plan on raising show calves.

 

[comercialfarmer]

I appreciate your opinon.  I thought they would have more bone, and I will continue to work on that.  I am trying to add some appeal, but we will likely remain in the feedlot supplying business.  And a couple neighbors purchase a few heifers. 

Thanks

 

[Okotoks]

I would also like to see a bit more bone and a little more quarter. If you want to keep the black color I would look at a black simmie or black or blue shorthorn plus.

 

[comercialfarmer]

Yes Sir, I don't think there is anything better than a fattened, fuzzy roan shorthorn calf.  I didn‘t grow up with them, but I really like them.  However, due to our markets and trying to keep a uniform calf crop- I’m ultimately shooting for an Angus/Shorthorn crossed cow to keep them black.  Hopefully the Shorthorn breed will add some thickness, good structure, and fleshing ability.  (You have great cattle (clapping).  I just found Diamond Captain Mark a few months back, but since it appears he won’t be available here next spring- I'm likely going to go with Wolf Willow Major.  Appears to have a combination of Quality plus Carcass and no extremes.)  I just haven’t come across information on any great black short horn bulls, so I was trying to breed my own with some of the more solid patterned shorties.  Your Diamond Prophecy Bull looks very interesting as well. 

The bull calf and the last heifer were shorthorn crosses out of Ar Su Lu Massive.  I didn’t get as much power as I was hoping (due to our cows), but I was also trying to be very careful with birthing ease and maintain growth.  All were born very easy, small, early and have grown- so I like that to build on.  After seeing how easy they came, I have room to up the birth wt a little and try to capture a little more power. 

In addition, I was also trying to breed for terminal continental sires (for home use) of either high percentage Maine or Simmental.  Only got the one Maine cross heifer- she is out of Smokin Joe (Quality plus Carcass and growth in an easy calving package).  Hoping to get a few more heifers out of him and possibly Simmental bull ACCI Hustler next year to work with.  Hopefully they will be a good starting point. 

Working to add more bone and power with the next generation.  I am trying to become aware of other factors, and make sure I am not overlooking something while doing this. 

 

[Okotoks]

Yes Sir, I don't think there is anything better than a fattened, fuzzy roan shorthorn calf.  I didn‘t grow up with them, but I really like them.  However, due to our markets and trying to keep a uniform calf crop- I’m ultimately shooting for an Angus/Shorthorn crossed cow to keep them black.  Hopefully the Shorthorn breed will add some thickness, good structure, and fleshing ability.  (You have great cattle (clapping).  I just found Diamond Captain Mark a few months back, but since it appears he won’t be available here next spring- I'm likely going to go with Wolf Willow Major.  Appears to have a combination of Quality plus Carcass and no extremes.)  I just haven’t come across information on any great black short horn bulls, so I was trying to breed my own with some of the more solid patterned shorties.  Your Diamond Prophecy Bull looks very interesting as well.   

The bull calf and the last heifer were shorthorn crosses out of Ar Su Lu Massive.  I didn’t get as much power as I was hoping (due to our cows), but I was also trying to be very careful with birthing ease and maintain growth.  All were born very easy, small, early and have grown- so I like that to build on.  After seeing how easy they came, I have room to up the birth wt a little and try to capture a little more power. 

In addition, I was also trying to breed for terminal continental sires (for home use) of either high percentage Maine or Simmental.  Only got the one Maine cross heifer- she is out of Smokin Joe (Quality plus Carcass and growth in an easy calving package).  Hoping to get a few more heifers out of him and possibly Simmental bull ACCI Hustler next year to work with.  Hopefully they will be a good starting point. 

Working to add more bone and power with the next generation.  I am trying to become aware of other factors, and make sure I am not overlooking something while doing this. 

Wolf Willow Major Leroy should work to keep the solid body colors. He is one of the easiest fleshing animals I have ever seen so he must have tremendous feed conversion.(He gets fat on limited hay)
We have some customers that do the Shorty Simmie cross with great success. The females make tremendous replacements so the Simmie bull you mention should work. We are planning to move the Diamond Captain Mark 27C back to Canada as we have run out here and have requests. He throws muscle and his daughters make great cows. If you would like to use him pm me, I could leave some if you want it next spring.Only thing is you might get some black and whites not just solid patterns.

 

[sam1988]

cull ruthlessley on fertility......get rid of all the opens..........and you will be 75% there without even looking at the cattle.

 

[sjcattleco]

research

Linear measurment!  Honestly the best / most profitable thing you can do.  I have the tools and use them..... Trained my eye but also showed me that my eyes deceive me sometimes and also showed me what happens if you go against mother nature.

www.bovineengineering.com

PM me or email if you have any questions...  just make sure if you start this that you get the measurements correct or it will be FUBAR!!!

 

[hangonsloopy]

  Hopefully the Shorthorn breed will add some thickness, good structure, and fleshing ability.     

 

That is the last breed I would use to try to add those traits.  ???

 

[jaimiediamond]

  Hopefully the Shorthorn breed will add some thickness, good structure, and fleshing ability.     

 

That is the last breed I would use to try to add those traits.   ???

Ironically enough it is the first breed a lot of the commercial breeders in our area turn to to add calving ease, maternal traits, and EASY FLESHING ability plus they really like the added bonus of premium carcass payouts when they put their calves on the rail.  There are good cattle in every breed blanket statements really don't tell anyone much.