Herd Improvement With Black Baldy Cattle

By Eugenia Dickerson


The beef production business is one in which profits can never be taken for granted. Breeding stock requires years of care - hard work in all sorts of weather conditions - to produce replacement cows and feedlot animals. Raising young animals to an age where they can be profitably sold is a separate aspect of the business with its own demands. When experience shows that Black Baldy cattle can increase profits by 20% or more, ranchers and feedlot managers take notice.

Black Baldy is the name given to white-faced, sable-bodied cattle that are produced by breeding a Hereford bull to an Aberdeen Angus cow. The white-face gene of the Hereford and the sable-color gene of the Angus are dominant, so the color of the hybrid crosses is remarkable consistent.

Breeding an Angus bull to a Hereford cow has been a common practice for cattlemen, since purebred Hereford calves can be large enough to cause difficulties for first births in heifers. The hybrid calves have a lower birth rate and a smaller head, making delivery easier. The results of this cross-breeding is vigorous animals that do well in feed lot situations or on the open range.

Both of these crossbreeding methods produces animals that perform well in breeding or in beef production. The black white-faced cows are known for their fertility, their longevity, and their 'good mother' characteristics. These include a gentle disposition, which makes handling easier, and good milk production to nourish the calf. In the feedlot, both types of offspring are docile and gain weight rapidly on less feed than other breeds might require.

These results are part of what is called 'hybrid vigor'. Crossbreeding in any species usually brings the good characteristics of both breeds into prominence and eliminates the tendencies to genetic problems that show with greater frequency in every purebred generation. Both Hereford and Angus are sound animals with many good traits, and imparting new blood resurrects qualities that have been in decline in purebred herds.

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.

Being dark colored, the Baldies are not prone to ill effects from the sun, which makes them valuable in Australia and New Zealand. It's also a useful characteristic on the high plains of the American northwest, where this breed is known also as Black Herefords. The cattle do well when raised outdoors in the extremes of weather that these great beef producing countries have.

Go online to learn more about Black Baldy cattle, including where breeding stock can be purchased. This remarkable hybrid type might be the key to increased herd performance and greater profits. The record of this white-faced, sable-coated animal tells it all.




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