Crossbreeding is a tool that people with commercial herds should really think about using. The catch is:  How do you do it and still maintain your cow herd at the quality you desire? The problem with most of the breeds, the cow's size was much larger and eliminated other traits that were desired. When I first saw the Tarentaise breed, I knew I had found the answer. You can crossbreed and not get a large size cow; add muscle; and get richer milk, all at the same time.

We have customers that have only used Tarentaise or Angus for thirty some years, and their herds continue to improve all the time. They are able to produce their own replacements, or sell their replacement heifers to others.

With the steers, we are able to add muscle to the Angus and take .02 percent back-fat off the carcass when it is ready to be processed, at 1150# to 1500#, and still grade choice! The method that Hat Ranch uses in crossbreeding two breeds is not to go farther than 3/8 percent on one breed before changing to the opposite breed. This keeps the herds uniform and balanced.

If you are looking for a program that you know where to start, where you are going, and never need to change all the time, JUMP ON THE HATRANCH TRAIN!!!