Hi-
I would just like to get some opinions from you cattle savvy people.
We have 4 acres of GOOD pasture here in Washington state. Currently we are running 2 Herefords, a yearling heifer and steer, plus have 2 goats. We are planning to butcher the steer in the Fall.
We've been kicking around the idea of getting another female to keep the heifer company. BTW, we plan on getting her bred in a few months when she is approx. 15 months old. A guy my husband works with has a Holstein/ Hereford cross that he would like to sell. She is 7 years old, a very easy breeder ( but open) and calver, produces lotsa milk, and her udder looks pretty good to me-- does not hang down too far, teats not too big or too small. He is asking 650 for her. She is HUGE, probably 1500 lbs.Very tall big-framed cow, halter-trained gentle, can be milked.
She has a 6 month old steer who is not going to be sold with her. She was bred to an Angus for that steer, only with the bull for 1 month before settling. She has had 2 other calves, no problems. He is a pretty good stocky looking calf. He may be nursing a little still, they have not been seperated.
So my question is, is her hugeness outweighed by her gentleness and proven capabilities, or is she just too huge for our place and winter feeding budget?
If we were to get her, what would be a good cross for a rapidley growing baby, or would they always be slow to mature because of the big frame of the dam?? Could I put two babies on her if I wanted to since her milk production is good??
Thanks for you help!
Susie
I would just like to get some opinions from you cattle savvy people.
We have 4 acres of GOOD pasture here in Washington state. Currently we are running 2 Herefords, a yearling heifer and steer, plus have 2 goats. We are planning to butcher the steer in the Fall.
We've been kicking around the idea of getting another female to keep the heifer company. BTW, we plan on getting her bred in a few months when she is approx. 15 months old. A guy my husband works with has a Holstein/ Hereford cross that he would like to sell. She is 7 years old, a very easy breeder ( but open) and calver, produces lotsa milk, and her udder looks pretty good to me-- does not hang down too far, teats not too big or too small. He is asking 650 for her. She is HUGE, probably 1500 lbs.Very tall big-framed cow, halter-trained gentle, can be milked.
She has a 6 month old steer who is not going to be sold with her. She was bred to an Angus for that steer, only with the bull for 1 month before settling. She has had 2 other calves, no problems. He is a pretty good stocky looking calf. He may be nursing a little still, they have not been seperated.
So my question is, is her hugeness outweighed by her gentleness and proven capabilities, or is she just too huge for our place and winter feeding budget?
If we were to get her, what would be a good cross for a rapidley growing baby, or would they always be slow to mature because of the big frame of the dam?? Could I put two babies on her if I wanted to since her milk production is good??
Thanks for you help!
Susie