BUILDERS OF BETTER BEEF
BUILDERS OF BETTER BEEF
The following is from the British White Cattle Association of America information:
Fertility & Ease in Calving. The single most important economic trait in the
cattle industry is that of fertility. That ability of a cow to give birth to a live calf
each year of her productive life. The first calf should arrive at the cow's second
birthday and a subsequent calf every 12 months.
An infertile cow is like a piece of machinery that produces nothing, yet
requires space, maintenance and labor—and costs money. Fertility is a
genetic fact that can be transmitted. The BRITISH WHITE may be the most
fertile of all beef breeds. Those that own them swear by them.
BRITISH WHITES are noted for their calving ease! A small polled head and
average birth weight between 70-75 lbs. is normal. Calving difficulties with
heifers are rare and unheard of with mature cows ! BRITISH WHITE bulls
provide that rare quality of throwing a medium to small calf that grows well.
Efficient & Trouble Free. Sometimes known as "easy keeper", meaning that
an animal efficiently converts feed into pounds of gain or maintenance. Most
people can easily understand the importance of this trait but the economic
implications sometimes escape them. A BRITISH WHITE bull that was
placed on a 140 day test at the University of Missouri gained at the rate of
4.04 pounds per day with a feed efficiency ratio of 5.5 pounds of feed
consumed per one pound of gain.
Excellent Milking Ability. If it's a beef cow, why worry about milking ability?
Good question, and there is a logical answer. The baby calf will grow and add
weight based upon its mama's ability to produce ample quantities of rich milk.
Anyone who has ever seen a herd of BRITISH WHITES knows that an
abundance of rich milk is available for the baby calves. She is an excellent
mother and even a heifer with her first calf produces much rich milk.
The cows have well set udders with a minimum of fatty tissue and teats that
hold their shape. It is not uncommon to see 14 and 15 year old BRITISH
WHITE cows with udders tightly set and well shaped teats.
Lean & Tender. Today's consumer does not want fat or tough meat for a
variety of reasons. One of these being weight consciousness and the
movement toward low cholesterol content. At the same time they do not want
to sacrifice taste and tenderness. The BRITISH WHITE meets all of these
requirements.
Purebred or crossbred steers will finish out at 1100 to 1200 pounds and
grade choice. A 63%-66% carcass to live weight is not uncommon.
Superior Maternal Instinct. BRITISH WHITE cows have maternal instincts
superior to the average cow. First calf heifers claim their calves, get them up
and started faster than any other breed. Cows that do not claim their calves
are unheard of in this breed. BRITISH WHITE cattle are easy calving and very
rarely need assistance and have an enormously high percentage of live calf
drops.
BRITISH WHITES also incorporate the nursery system of protecting groups of
calves by a guard cow while the remainder of the herd grazes.
Growth & Hardiness. BRITISH WHITE cattle have a hardiness that enables
them to forage, graze, survive and do well on very poor pasture. They have the
ability to stay in good condition and breed back regularly where some breeds
would have a tough time surviving.
They thrive in either extreme heat or cold. BRITISH WHITES have proved
themselves in all kinds of weather extremes, see our membership list to get
an idea of the geography covered.
BRITISH WHITE bulls are perfect for cross breeding. They transmit the
superior qualities of the breed to their offspring. Breeders have discovered that
they have less calving problems with cows and heifers of all breeds when
crossed with a BRITISH WHITE BULL. Yet the good growth is still there. It is
very common for a 1,000 lb. cow to wean a BRITISH WHITE
calf at well above 500 lbs. strictly on grass.
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