Thank you all! The discussion has turned in the direction I’d hoped I hoped it would. Complaints, without constructive action does not do anyone any good.
CAB- I would have to agree with you. For the most part, our Shorthorn raising neighbors to the North have not lost sight of what “makes a cow a cow”. I have had excellent results with most of the ones that I have purchased over the years. 2 of the cows in the picture below are ones that I can positively identify as descendants of Canadian bred cows. They are the ones on the far left and the horned one off center to the right in the rear. I think you will have to agree that they blend in well with the rest. Early on, I decided to be ruthless in my culling. It has paid off for my operation.
This picture was taken on 10/5/13 almost a month after weaning. We have been terribly dry for the past couple years and I was glad to find some grass of any kind to rent. They had been on this pasture about 3 weeks at this time, and ran there until Dec. 27th. We start calving the 3rd week of January, so it was time to get them home. They had not lost noticeable body condition when I hauled them despite two weeks of very cold weather and having already utilized the best grazing.
Most of my cattle are red due to the reasons you’ve stated. However from past experience, when I don’t save a good roan bull or two, is when I’ll get a call from someone wanting one!
BTDT- I hope you do not see my post as “Bashing Black”. I have “looked (deeply, I might add) in the mirror” and didn’t always like what I saw. I’ve set a course to change what I didn’t like. However, as a general rule, I do much prefer the dispositions of my Shorthorns. I also know that there are Angus breeders whose herds do not display the temperament issues that I’ve experienced with some that I’ve owned. One cannot argue with the advances in performance that the Angus has made. IN MY OPINION, I think that overuse of EPD’s and “breeding by the numbers” have not all been beneficial to the man/woman who is making a living by selling live calves. This pertains to ANY breed. I think that one must know “what makes a cow a cow”. It has been my experience that the one who weans the biggest calf is seldom the most efficient. I know that there are exceptions to the rule, but how often do these individuals have the genetic capability to replicate themselves?
I will wholeheartedly agree with you that HUGE bw’s, bone, poor conception rates, and “big hair” is certainly not conducive to providing any benefit to the Industry as a whole You can only tweak Mother Nature so far before she tweaks back. I delivered some good heifer calves to Iowa this fall to a man who had become disillusioned with the breed due to the above reasons. I am entirely confident that he will be pleased with his choices as his heifers go into production.
JIT- I wholeheartedly agree that we cannot expect our respective Associations to do all of the heavy lifting. However, I do feel that when 3 or 4 pens of GENERIC purebred Shorthorn cattle would be available for generic Shorthorn data collection that the ASA should avail themselves of the opportunity if/whenever it arises, as we don't have a lot of concrete data to prove that the right kind of cattle within our breed has some real Industry benefits, and could greatly enhance our standing as a breed. I hope I explained it well enough? Maybe I should not have brought up this issue as the generic or anonymity aspect is probably not an option now.
Sue- I agree with your statement in general. IF my intent had been to promote my own program. I had hoped that the ASA would avail themselves (meaning "us" as a breed) of positive
generic information/data. However, at this point, it would've entailed parental verification of 200-250 head of feeders plus their sires due to "Tom's" multiple sire range cattle operation in order to determine which of the genetics came from my ranch. I cannot afford to do that. Toms new 2013 calf crop is has been in NE for 2 weeks now.
