Question on Breeding heifers

[GrowerShower32]

Ok we have a few heifers that we are going to be breeding to a low birth weight Angus bull for thier first calf. Then on thier 2nd calf still use a low birth weight bull but maybe a step up on calf size then for thier third breeding we want to breed them to a extreme low birth weight charolais bull to get some smokies. One of the bulls we have in mind is WC Big Ben 9036 we have a couple others but we really like big Ben. If you guys have some others that jump to mind please throw them out, we are completely open to suggestions.

We have about 15 SimAngus and pure Angus heifers in this group and just want to know is this how you all would do it or would you guys breed them to a lbw charolais on thier second breeding and feel comfortable that they could handle it?

 

[shortybreeder]

I've had several unassisted Wrangler (Genex Charolais) calves out of 2nd calvers and they grow decent. Personally I would never use an "extreme low birthweight" bull of any breed. You've got the wrong females if you need a bull under 70lb BW beyond first calvers IMO.

 

[KSmithShowCattle]

SSR Mr Driven PLD 6004 is a Purebred Charolais bull that is a low birth weight and throws good calves.
Good Luck!

 

[GrowerShower32]

Let me say this I say extreme on the loose side for a charolais I'm saying 70lbs....to me that's small for your typical charolais when they are 90 to 100 alot of times.

 

[Mark H]

The bull that fits the bill most closely is LT Rushmore 8060.  He has a birth weight EPD of -5.7 and has been in active use by Wright Charolais and LT ranches for years.  He is related to LT Blue grass the the sire of WC Big Ben.  Here he is: http://www.ltranch.com/sires/charolais/LTRushmore8060.html
Just make sure your management is up to handling a higher performance animal than what is typically used by people on this board.  You have to be able to handle problems and monitor for them if they arise.  I would talk to Brent Thiel if using this bull on your heifers is a good idea since we lack the required specifics.

 

[CAB]

I don't see anything wrong with it on second calvers at all. Go for it. <party>

 

[Mark H]

Let me correct myself.  I thought you were breeding heifers only.  Since you are breeding second calvers you can use much higher performing bulls with excellent calving ease.  All the bulls are I am going to name have excellent growth and maternal traits.
LT Ranch has an excellent outcross bull: RBM Fargo: https://www.bovine-elite.com/charepd2.asp?idProduct=5127&id2nd=35.  The highest performing bull LT has: http://bullbarn.com/charepd.asp?ID=242 would also work here.
I would also consider Merit Roundup: http://www.semexusa.com/beef/i?beef=view&view2=MC326558
Next I would look at Pleasant Dawn Chisum: http://data.altagenetics.com/AltaBeef/BullBeef.aspx?Naab=011CH01023&Site=A&Language=E Note Altagenetics owns the semen rights for the United States.
You do not have to use an extreme calving ease bull here.  You are just costing yourself pounds, confirmation, and maternal traits. All the breeders above have good familiarity for what works on Angus and Simangus cows so call them ask their opinion.

 

[GrowerShower32]

Just trying to do things smart since we work full time jobs so we want to air on the side of caution so we don't have to spend our days worrying about heifers. I really appreciate everyone's help to point us in the right direction.

We also looked into the performance Angus sire Hy-Veiw Phantom have you guys ever heard of him or had any experience with hm seen any calves by him etc??

https://www.angus.org/Animal/EpdPedDtl.aspx?aid=FAAAAMraegbT5FAzw%2bijM4gK3e0oQZbsezUnqSXdfawoBWuz&time=LAAAAFrSih1VrCvjWODybhwTgH0sElL%2bMLLFKKV4Bv9TCvNf1%2fsWk41VLYltwl9o2QdbJQ%3d%3d