On 17 November, weights at weaning age were recorded for the 2018 calf crop. The oldest Star cow is LR Beth who was born in 2003. She is half Red Angus and half Senepol. (In 2005 the first three-breed composites would be born.) Being fully crossbred, Beth has displayed considerable heterosis for reproductive- and disease resistance-traits over her entire lifetime. Below is a photo of LR Beth. She has weaned a good calf every year for 14 years without any pampering (in most years the total cost per cow averages about $300), and has produced nearly 4 tons of beef in weaned calves.

In addition, the heaviest calf that was Mashona-sired had a 205-day adjusted weaning weight of 658.5 lbs (photo below taken 2-1/2 months ago). His dam (LR Chiffon) is 11 years old and is one-half Tuli, one-quarter Red Angus, and one-quarter Senepol. The selection of bull calves as replacements will take the genetics of the herd to another level in terms of genetic adaptability in hot climates and without pampering that translates into cow longevity.

In the November issue of the Stockman Grass Farmer, an article was published entitled: What is Genetic Trend. In the article, I define and explain the basis and application of genetic trend. This article has been posted at the Articles & Presentations page of this website. Also posted is the original full-version article that made reference to the actual sires of the Red Angus, Senepol, Tuli, and Mashona breeds. The original genetic trend figure appears below.

This year I produced a Corriente X Star bull calf that was born on March 31, 2018. This is an excellent cross for using as a breeding bull where forage quality is a real issue. He has a good conformation, is deep-gutted and is very gentle. This bull is also out of one of my best cows – LR Dusty who is 11 and one tough cow. She has raised a good calf every years since she was a 2 year-old.

Here are photos of the bull calf and of Dusty. This bull is already showing signs of high libido. He will be ready to sell in November. Contact me by email (slukefahr@gmail.edu) or phone (361-219-0382) if you have any questions. The best offer will be accepted.

For ranchers who want to breed cattle that are both heat tolerant and drought adapted, here is a great opportunity. Dr. Jerry Underbrink (a local veterinarian from the Kingsville area) has for sale several excellent Star-sired heifers out of Beefmaster cows. Two years ago, Jerry was interested in purchasing a Star bull that he could breed to his heifers and not worry about pulling calves. I sold him Bull LR 18-2015 who was in the upper 1 percentile for low birth weight Epds! Long story short, his Star bull produced small calves weighing approximately 50 pounds that were “up and running” within minutes of birth. Now several of these heifer calves are for sale. They were born between Feb. 15 and March 25. These heifers are super gentle and easy to manage. If interested please directly contact Jerry’s herd manager, Bobby Bennett, at (361)459-9043. The first photo is of their sire, LR 18-2015 as a two year-old at the time of purchase, followed by his photo pedigree.

Photos of dams of bull calves that will be sold for breeding have just been posted to this website at the Bulls for Sale page.

Photo taken at about 4:00 at a temperature between 104 and 105 degrees of Star cattle grazing.

While doing a deeper literature search on the Tuli breed, I came across a video: Cattle Out of Africa (1990). It is very well done and includes interviews with the Australian scientists who collected the embryos in Zimbabwe and later produced Tulis in Australia, which were later compared to the performances of other breeds. Today the Tuli breed is credited for making a major impact on the Australian beef industry through its use in developing new composite breeds that are more heat and disease resistant. Here is the video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKy0M0axO1I&feature=youtu.be. I have also added this link at the Purebred Reference Sires page in the Tuli breed section.