I breed Herefords and I also keep commercial Hereford cross cattle, which are progeny from continental cows crossed with a Hereford bull. Choosing the right bull is very important and I use a combination of stars/indexes and visual assessments to make sure I’m happy with my selection. I find that even when the Herefords are crossed with other breeds, the age for slaughter can still be significantly reduced, all of mine are slaughtered under 24 months.
I like to get the cattle out to the spring grass early and I run a paddock system to ensure the quality is maintained. I take soil samples every 3-4 years to monitor nutrient levels. I make silage early in the year for the winter, as it is a vital part of the overall system and making it with early spring grass ensures quality. I leave the cattle out as long as possible, but when I do bring them in, I am very careful not to overcrowd the sheds and I use straw bedding or rubber matting to ensure their comfort.
