What is the species name for the breed?  Bos Indicus or Bos Taurus?

Bos Taurus

male 1800 lbs., female 1100 lbs.

Tarentaise cattle have black pigment points (hooves, nose, tongue, tip of tail, eyes, etc...). They are long bodied with more of a square head. They are not naturally polled as a breed but we do raise some polled animals. Tarentaise are medium framed and refined boned. Their color ranges from a golden bronze to a deep red. Tarentaise cows are known for their strong maternal influence.

In the mother cows, due to their production potential for milking heavily, a higher plain of nutrition is needed to maintain adequate body condition.

Tarentaise Cattle originated in the Savoie Region of the French Alps which is located inland near the Italian and Swiss borders. They are still used as a dairy cow in that region.

Are Tarentaise naturally polled?

No, we have both horned and polled cattle.

It depends on the bull and how well they were matched genetically for calving size. Assuming that is correct, they are excellent calvers. But as heifers, I would keep an eye on them. They should be very nurturing mothers.

The cross makes a good feeder steer. I would carefully select heifers for their milking ability if I planned to keep the TA X Limo calves for mother cows.

Do the first calf heifers milk good?

Again, that depends on her mother, but in general the breed is designed for milking. This is a good time to supplement heifers, so they will hold their flesh and rebreed as they continue to milk.

The Shorthorn cross will give you some fantastic Xbred calves.   You'll have some problems with color variation.

If I was to cross with Angus, I would stay with Red color therefore, Red Angus.

My first recommendation would be to use a very good quality Tarentaise bull paying close attention to performance and conformation.

No matter what breeding choices you make, choose the best quality bull you can afford.

How does this breed do with calving ease? What are the most common birth weights?

The calves birth weights range from the lower 70's to the high 80's dependent on sire.  Average BW=78 lbs.

What might a person expect the avg. 205 day weight to be on calves sired by your breed?

Our avg. 205 day wts= 550-600 lbs.

Are your bulls sold semen tested?

Our bulls are sold as sound breeders that have been semen checked.

Disposition, on a breed average would be moderate.  In the sale ring or at the feedlot, Tarentaise have had very good buyer acceptance

Home page, 1 Picture=1001 Words, Tarentaise Cattle, Crossbreeding, Frequently Asked Questions, Tarentaise Bulls, Herd Sires, Reference Sires, Carcass Data, Sale Bull Details, Tarentaise Females, Calves, Heifers, Cows, The Ranch, The Men, The Family, Tagging Newborn Calves, Branding Calves, Border Collie, Historic Barn Restoration, Featured Sales, Exporting, Delivery, Testimonials, Contact Us, Embryo Transfer Project, Miami, Oklahoma, Free Newsletter, Links & Awards, Chute, Fall Bull Turn Out