mercredi 18 décembre 2013

Greater Profits With Black Baldy Cattle

By Eugenia Dickerson


Cattle ranchers around the world know that their profit margin is too small to withstand annual losses caused by infertility, slow maturity, and short life in their breeding stock. Black Baldy cattle are showing great returns for their owners by eliminating many of these and other problems with their hybrid vigor and superior performance. Ranchers who have seen as much as 20% greater performance ratings are spreading the word that this type of animal is worth investigating.

Mating Aberdeen Angus cows to Hereford bulls produces Baldy calves. They are white-faced from a dominant gene in the Hereford and black-bodied from a dominant gene in the Angus. This coloration is remarkably consistent in this type of hybrid cross that is rapidly growing in popularity.

The same coloration is found when Hereford females are mated with Angus bulls. First births can be difficult when both parents are Herefords. Using an Angus bull gives a calf with a lower birth weight and a smaller head, which is easier for a heifer in her first calving. This practice alone can cut herd losses to a significant extent.

Performance ratings are high is both birth statistics and growth patterns. The white-faced cows are known for early maturity, fertility, and longevity, all areas in which the purebreds have been having problems. They also exhibit excellent mothering talents and good milk production for their sturdy, fast-growing calves. Their gentle disposition comes to them from both sides, making them valuable in both the herd and the feedlot.

A lot of the success of this practice is the effect of hybridizing. Purebred animals pass both good and bad characteristics to succeeding generations, and the inevitable inbreeding leads to the development of genetic defects and problems. In contrast, a hybrid offspring often is stronger, more vigorous, and just plain more adept at living than either of their parents. They in large part mature early, conceive readily, grow rapidly, and live long, productive lives.

In addition, Herefords are an especially strong breed. There are in fact more Herefords in the world than any other type of cow, experts say. This is partly due to the breed's docility and hardiness; these cattle thrive in almost any climate. It may also trace back to the British Empire, when these British cattle were shipped to many countries where the British were in control. Aberdeen Angus is another fine breed, especially noted for a gentle nature and the excellent taste of their meat.

Black Baldies, known as Black Herefords in the American northwest, have an advantage in areas where the sun is hot. Their dark skin resists sunburn, which can be a problem for cows with white udders. The great ranches of Australia, New Zealand, and the American plains are home to free-ranging herds that endure every extreme of weather, and the hardy Baldies are holding their own. Their weight gain to feed conversion ratio in the feedlot is another winning point for the crossbreds.

Black Baldy Cattle have raised profits in many herds by as much as 20%. Go online to see the results of studies and performance reviews and to find out where the crossbred animals can be found.




About the Author:





Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire