Irish Blacks developed from fifty years of a performance based line breeding program. Today, Irish Blacks are consistent, uniform, and super efficient. The genetic makeup of Irish Blacks is protected and verified by the IRISH BLACK trademark.
Irish Blacks have superior fertility, light birth weights, fast maturity, top feed efficiency, high milk and weaning weights, moderate frames, and dark hides. Irish Blacks possess line-bred genetic strength to dominate when bred to other beef cattle. The result is a well balanced, efficient, superior performing calf.
With the challenges faced by today's cattle producers, Irish Blacks offer unique opportunities. Utilizing Irish Black genetics, a commercial cattle operation can effectively battle constantly rising production costs by improving fertility performance, increasing pregnancy rates, and lowering feed bills. The efficiency of Irish Black cattle is unmatched in the cattle industry. In fact, no other beef breed comes close to the 4.79 average conversion rate proven by a recent pen of half blood Irish Black feedlot steers. The bottom-line financial impact of that kind of feed efficiency for a producer running 100 head of average beef cows; is that same producer can run approximately 120 head of half blood Irish Black females on the same feed those 100 head of average beef cows consume!
Genetically dominant (homozygous) traits of Irish Black Cattle:
1. Dark Hides; black or occasionally red (a recessive red gene trait).
2. Moderate Framed; cows 1050-1250 lbs., bulls 1650-2100 lbs.
3. Light Birth Weights; our calves consistently range between 72-75 pounds at calving.
4. Vigorous Calves: our calves thrive with minimal input on high altitude ranges.
5. High Fertility; 50-70 cows per single I.B. Bull!! Heifers cycle/breed well.
6. Early Maturity; calves finish by 14 months old.
7. High Weight Gain.
8. EFFICIENCY.
9. Excellent Rib Eye Area Scores; we provide data on every sale bull.
10. High Tenderness.
11. High Marbling Scores; ultrasound data on every sale bull.
12. Low Back Fat Scores.
13. Top Yield Grade Scores; consistent group performance in feedlots.
14. High Carcass Weights; excellent ADG/conversions and fast finishing.
15. Premium Carcass Performance.
16. Longevity of Production; our bulls will perform to six plus years old.
17. Large Scrotal Measurements.
18. Large Pelvic Measurements.
19. Shorter Gestation Period; 277 days.
20. Calving Ease/Maternal Instincts; Excellent mamas- breed back with ease, calve effortlessly, thrive on the range, maintain excellent udder scores.
21. High Milk Production.
22. Excellent Mothering Traits.
23. Small Finger Length Teats; and no pendulous udders.
24. Penis does not hang down and drag.
25. No Brisket Problems; altitude tested genetic performance. Our animals thrive at 6,500-8,000 feet year-round.
26. Work Ready Cattle; easy to handle and sort, move where you need them to go. We work our cattle with young children with no problems.
27. Range Cattle; these cattle take care of themselves, cows go find the best grasses and calves are vigorous and jump up to take to nursing immediately.
Take it from our son...
"Our cows are nice."