Mountain View Cattle Company
(360) 732-4446
Get Results with Crossbreds!
We raised purebred Polled Herefords for years. Our herd was carefully selected but we still had to deal with pink eye and occasional calving problems related to calf size. Our beef was good right off grass -- but we were looking for more. We started with a Murray Grey bull, for smaller calves at birth but excellent growth. We also looked for improved marbling. Because of hybrid vigor, and good milking dams, we have had no material difference in weaning or slaughter weights. Our cow herd now consists of purebred Polled Hereford cows and their crossbred daughters.
When we began our crossbreeding program, we used Murray Grey bulls for five years, retaining the best half-blood heifers. We then used purebred Polled Hereford bulls for the next five years, keeping the best purebred Polled Hereford and crossbred heifers. Using Polled Hereford bulls let us keep the good cow bloodlines we have bred, which form a background for the herd.
We are now experimenting with a red Polled Shorthorn bull. We believe the Shorthorn blood will compliment our crossbreeding program. Murray Grey's were developed from the Shorthorn breed in part, so it is no surprise that many of the qualities we like about the Murray Grey are found in the Shorthorn. Shorthorns have small calves at birth that grow quickly, the meat quality is said to be excellent (we haven't had them long enough to taste one ourselves), excellent mothering ability, and good dispositions.
Results:
Polled - Murray Greys are naturally polled, so no
de-horning" is necessary. In adding a Shorthorn bull to the herd, we were careful to select one that is polled. In fact, we have carefully screened our few outside Polled Hereford heifers to insure we have only polled stock. Polled stock are easier to handle, are easier on equipment and facilities, and do not injure each other.
Medium Frame - We found the Murray Grey and crossbred cows are smaller than our Polled Hereford cows -- which can be a plus. Average weight in our herd now is around 1,500 for mature cows. We expect the Shorthorns and the Shorthorn crosses to fit into this weight range. Many of our Polled Hereford cows have averaged 1,700 and up! Medium framed cattle boost the bottom line because they eat less, have fewer calving problems (and vet bills), fewer foot problems, and are easier to handle. And there is more room in the feed bunks as some of the "big mamas" took up 2 "slots" each to eat!
Environmentally, medium framed cattle create less damage and compaction to pastures. Best of all, for those who sell locker beef, medium framed steers are the right size for today's smaller families.
Health - Murray Greys are known for their good conformation, good feet, vigor and long productive life. Our crossbred cows have no health problems and are usually pigmented around the eyes. In fact, the wild markings on the faces of the crossbred calves has been really fun! We've had no pinkeye in the crossbreds or their calves so far. Our two Polled Shorthorn cross calves are very healthy, and also have wild facial markings.
Calving Ease - Murray Grey crossbred calves are medium sized but vigorous at birth. The Polled Shorthorn cross calves were about the same size - the heifer smaller of course. In past years, our calving problems have been related only to "fate" -- mixed up twins, large bull calves turned around, etc.
Calf Vigor - Our crossbred calves are goers from the second they hit the ground. They are up and nursing in less than 20 minutes. And they never stop. Active and strong they look for feed beside their mama long before other calves. We have a creep in the barn next to hay bunks for the cows. The calves all belly up to the bar for hay and small amounts of grain. Stocky and strong, they are the picture of "miniature" feeders!
Temperament - We always selected our Polled Herefords for temperament and the Murray Grey crossbreds are just as tame. With so many small-herd owners you can’t sell wild cattle. Our crossbred calves eat hay out of your hand in the feeder. So far, our Shorthorn bull has proved very tractable, so we anticipate his calves being "easy going" in nature.
Beef - Beef is the bottom line -- the product we all aim for. Whether you are selling locker beef, feeders or breeding stock, good beef is the end product. Our cattle fatten easily right on grass. The meat is well-marbled but without gross amounts of fat to trim (unless you feed for that). The result for us is well-marbled beef with a good appearance that tastes as good as it looks! WITHOUT hormones. We don’t need artificial enhancers to make our cattle grow and look good. Increase your profit margin -- start crossbreeding and toss the chemicals for good.