Why are Herefords Hot all of the sudden?

[cotullaguy]

Maybe I missed something.  But, why have Herefords become hot?  Watching the Star Lake sale today and to me I cannot see how anyone buying will be able to make any money off those cows. But apparently they think they will.  Average looking Herefords are bringing $3500 and nice ones $5000-40000. 

Can someone enlighten me.

 

[kanshow]

The good ones bring good money but you can't sell a bad one at the sale barn.  OUCH is all I've got to say about that.. 

 

[shortdawg]

Didn't a " Hereford Marked " steer just bring 200k at one of the majors. I think we are going to show a Hereford marked one next year - anxious to see the calves out of Red Rock & see what kind of color he throws.

 

[JSchroeder]

That was Ft Worth and is the only place that would happen so it doesn't really have an impact on somebody in Georgia.  It's a tradition to run the Angus and Hereford champions up at that and when one took res. grand the big money guys ran him up even more.  At the other majors they typically bring no more than the other breed champions.

On the original subject, Star Lake has always averaged high on a lot of volume but they're in an even better spot now that essentially all of the other big name guys have held dispersals in the past few years.

 

[cotullaguy]

well I noticed that on Liveauctions.tv that the alpacas were selling next.  (lol)

 

[CPL]

Star lake cattle have always sold extremely well at their sale.

 

[Steer4Caddy]

It may have something to do with the fact that %90 of commercial cattlemen have been using Angus bulls for the last 20 years and are figuring out they need some hybrid vigor.

 

[forbes family farms]

I watched the Star Lake Sale today to on RFD and all i have to say is i am impressed i am not a big Hereford at all so this says alot.

 

[Dozer45]

I am a big fan of herefords and all my friends tell me Im crazy but I was out at a good sized feed lot and was suprised to see a large number of red/white calves and black baldys out there. Seems a lot of beef producers are shifting back to hereford crosses

 

[BIGTEX]

our black baldy calves still bring more than anything else.

 

[forbes family farms]

Same Here all are Black and White calves bring the most at any sale

 

[KCK]

All breeds have high dollar ones. In every breed, there are great ones and bad ones. We all know that. Those cattle can be an investment for the future maybe. Their docility is a major factor in their showing ability. Like the Junior national- entries due on Wednesday and all ready 1000 kids entered. I sure loved having them and look forward to building up a herd. Maybe I am biased, but I will admit a good one when I see a good one no matter what the breed.

 

[Cattledog]

Star lake does have some really good herefords.  I was really impressed with their cattle in denver.

 

[The Show]

Can't beat a mini  ;D

 

[HerefordGuy]

First of all, Star Lake always gets good prices, a lot of it is a "brand name" (like paying more for Nike's).

But, I think the Hereford breed is gaining popularity. In a recent Drovers survey, "the Hereford breed was the only breed reporting a significant upswing in demand" (Huffhines, May 2010 Hereford World).  This is for two reasons in my opinion:
1)  The Hereford breed has improved.
2)  Angus is the dominate breed, and most breeds sell Angus hybrids (i.e. LimFlex).  Herefords offer increased hybrid vigor on an Angus base.  Producers are remembering the value of the black baldy.

When we talk about Herefords gaining popularity in the show ring, I think it is because some Herefords have become more muscular and stylish. 

 

[JSchroeder]

Those are two very legit reasons but you left out a very important third reason for "a significant upswing in demand", the fact that they bottomed out (relative to their past popularity) over the past few years and had nowhere to go but up.

 

[BGF]

I think the muscle and style comes from Heatwave, at least on the steer end of things.  Not trying to piss off the purebred guys, but until they blood type and DNA steers, a good "Hereford" (Cross) will sell.

 

[HerefordGuy]

Those are two very legit reasons but you left out a very important third reason for "a significant upswing in demand", the fact that they bottomed out (relative to their past popularity) over the past few years and had nowhere to go but up.

I understand your point, but disagree.  Herefords could have continued to decrease in popularity, or they could have stayed the same.  So to say they were down, so they had to go back up, I don't buy it.

 

[HerefordGuy]

I think the muscle and style comes from Heatwave, at least on the steer end of things.  Not trying to piss off the purebred guys, but until they blood type and DNA steers, a good "Hereford" (Cross) will sell.

I agree Herefords are not as stylish or freakish as club calf sires, but I was speaking relative to previous Herefords.  Which would be more muscular and stylish:  A typical 1980's Hereford bull or bulls like Reload and Showtime?  The Ft. Worth steer was out of Showtime (a purebred bull) and, if my memory is correct, a Dr. Hook cow.

 

[JSchroeder]

HerefordGuy, point taken.