Stock Journal

Cross breeding with Herefords producing hybrid vigour

 HIGH GRADE: The Weatheralls, Mount Maroon Grazing, use Hereford bulls to breed impressive articles, such as these heifers, to serve south-east Queensland markets.
HIGH GRADE: The Weatheralls, Mount Maroon Grazing, use Hereford bulls to breed impressive articles, such as these heifers, to serve south-east Queensland markets.

Story sponsored by Herefords Australia.

As the beef industry evolves, more and more producers are striving to increase the productivity of their herd.

That's why there has been an increased focus on trait based genetics and cross breeding in recent years, with hybrid vigour the ultimate goal.

While there are a number of combinations currently being trialed, many are finding success with Herefords.

Garth and Carolyn Weatherall - of Mount Maroon Grazing, near Boonah - say using Hereford bulls over their purebred Santa Gertrudis has made their cattle a hot commodity.

Whiteface cattle sell particularly well in their region. Using a Hereford bull, they say, means producing an article that is in high demand right across the south-east corner.

More importantly, Mr Weatherall says, they are achieving hybrid vigour, with both parents exhibiting their own individual traits.

"For 11 years we have been running lines of Santa cows. We're on coastal country and because of that we need an animal that is hardy and able to cope with these conditions," Mr Weatherall explained.

"Due to her hardiness, her clean coat and her willingness to survive in these conditions makes it a natural fit to have Santa cows," he continued.

"Add in the qualities of a good polled head, good temperament and great weight-for-age that we get from the Hereford bulls... and we end up with an article that has a lot of upside."

Walcha beef producer Neil Dunn, Wirraway, Walcha, with rising two-year-old crossbred females on ryegrass crop. Photo: Supplied
Walcha beef producer Neil Dunn, Wirraway, Walcha, with rising two-year-old crossbred females on ryegrass crop. Photo: Supplied

The result is a high quality white-faced weaner that can grow in to an excellent bullock. One that sells well as a weaner and fits most of the feeder markets.

"They are good in most conditions, produce a good beast with good carcase qualities and the market responds," Mr Weatherall said.

"We have no plans to ever change crossing Hereford bulls with Santa cows, only to improve what we have."

However, it isn't just Santa Gurtrudis cows that benefit from having a Hereford put over them.

Neil Dunn - of Wirraway, at Walcha - hopes to see success introducing Herefords to his crossbred breeding program to produce black baldy calves.

He runs a grass-fed operation - of between 280 and 300 head - on his 907 hectare property and finishes the cattle at export weights. He's chasing daily weight gain in yearling cattle on crop and wants to get them off as quickly as he can.

He will join 300 later this month and in October. He otherwise uses Angus, Shorthorn and Charolais, but this year he will use Herefords over his straight Angus cows for the first time, with black baldy heifers being retained for the crossbreeding herd.

 Walcha beef producer Neil Dunn, Wirraway, Walcha, with rising two-year-old crossbred females on ryegrass crop. Photo: supplied
Walcha beef producer Neil Dunn, Wirraway, Walcha, with rising two-year-old crossbred females on ryegrass crop. Photo: supplied

The popularity of black baldy cattle in crossbred systems has been growing, with a number of Hereford seedstock producers reporting recent bull offerings going to Angus operations.

"We get feedback from members saying Angus producers are turning up to bull sales to look at bulls. If members are selling to other breeds, it gives indication of what crossbreeding is taking place," Herefords Australia general manager Andrew Donoghue explained.

This aligns with Herefords Australia trial work involving the Hereford/Angus cross that will finish in the next 12 months.

"The aim is to quantify benefits of Hereford bulls over Angus cows, and see the benefits the black baldy brings to commercial beef production systems, not just the steer portion but the F1 (first cross) females too," Mr Donoghue said.

"Hybrid vigour helps with the growth rate side of things, but from the trial we are seeing early stages of maternal benefits particularly for second calvers and the ability of these females to get back in calf after raising their first calf ... there are some fertility benefits," he continued.

"We are also seeing some bull ownership benefits with big savings in cost per calf on the ground using Hereford bulls due to longevity."

Herefords Australia hope to roll out information and tool kits to help address challenges around how to consistently maximise hybrid vigour in crossbred operation, and how to stabilise and maximise hybrid vigour each generation.

The Dunns select replacement females based on conformation and type, with temperament also a focus of the operation. Figures are also always looked at, but conformation comes first.

"We want conformation and body yield. We want carcases to come back with the correct yield, so we look for deep, long bodies that are soft-skinned," Mr Dunn said.

"We put emphasis on conformation and some figures when making bull buying selections," he continued.

"Because we run a crossbred operation, we have had some calving problems with calves coming too big ... so we are careful about big and early growth (including birth weights)."

Story sponsored by Herefords Australia.