Cows & People
I grew up with Hereford cows. Today 90% are black, predominantly Angus with a ‘tick of ear’ from leaner years. In that evolution, we’ve always had a Hereford bull or two around and Robbin and I have increased their numbers lately. Once in awhile the genetics line-up to get a straight Hereford-looking calf out of a black cow. The purpose of cross-breeding is to develop heterosis or hybrid vigor in your calves and perhaps add a few pounds in the process.
Just out of college, I thought my father may have been exaggerating when he said it took a lifetime to develop a herd of cows. Breeding is an aspect of it, but at the time I didn’t realize that it took awhile for cattle to acclimate to a place, to its feed, terrain, predators and weather; I didn’t realize there was more than just getting your calves on the ground in time for California’s winter grass. And very much like developing an individual life, what we learn from our mistakes influences the direction of our future decisions. In that sense, of course, one’s never done.
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