Herd Dams & Sires
                            

This is where it all starts! The basis for all herds and their success is in the dams & bulls- their genetics, structure and convenience traits.

Some may ask - "You raise more than Braunvieh - why?" The answer is simple. Most of the breeds have good traits and will continue to be produced and the strong likelihood of being crossed with the other breeds. Therefore for the Braunvieh breed to be strong and successful it must be compatible and bring out the best in that heterosis breeding to produce valued feedlot calves which is the main reason for raising cattle. For that reason we have tested our crossbreeding with other breeds to select traits we feel work best.

We went back to the drawing board when we got into Braunvieh. A whole new way of thinking - some might say "outside the box." The major result of all cattle production is going to be a consumable product and the number one concern in developing that product will most likely be achieved through heterosis. There are two types of heterosis - "within the breed" & "crossbreeding." Within the breed we all chase the illusive dream of producing the "Perfect Sire & Dams" and ultimately a set of genetics that can produce "perfect" offspring no matter what it is bred to.  We added Braunvieh because we have seen the goal line results but you can't get those results  without developing both aspects.

Earlier I mentioned three criteria for successful herd dams & bulls and this is how we feel they rate:
   1. Convenience Traits - Docility
Fact - Docile cattle are easier to work & handle, have higher daily rate of gain, produce more milk, and yield & grade better than aggressive cattle.
   2. Structure
If cattle don't have proper structure - good feet, legs, udders, & genitals they simply will not hold up or produce.
   3. Genetics
I know what your thinking - "why last"? Because if they don't meet the first two traits EPDs of good genetics go out the window! It takes all three and we feel that Braunvieh meet these goals more than other breeds.

In this part of the country where land costs are going for $4500 +/acre & cash rents of $200 + it's just imperative that we get every dollar out of our cattle. WE CAN'T AND DON'T HAVE HUNDREDS OF CATTLE SO WE  HAVE TO BE GOOD! We didn't choose Braunvieh on a whim! Just look at these Braunvieh/Angus heifers at 5 months of age - thick, muscular and really growing!

With the high cost of inputs have and are making several management decisions this year. We have reduced our herd to cull out less efficient cattle, and are moving towards two types of Braunvieh dams - a Fullblood strain and a polled black strain of Braunvieh.  To stay in step with the changes and to keep genetic traits within our targets we must concentrate on a narrower base.

                           Here is an example of some of our herd dams

                                                 Bud's Bess

                                          Purebred Braunvieh Cow
Calved 5/04/2004                                     BW 81lb/ratio 100                                             Scurred

Little did we know that when we got this heifer that she would become the cornerstone of our polled / dark genetics. She has all three of the basic traits that we want in a herd dam. She won Grand Champion produce of dam in the '07 NAILE and has very consistent offspring and to date  heifers. We have used her as a donor this last year and are building a "family herd" around her. It's one thing to chase dark / polled traits but you cannot forget quality and that is what she brings. We are moving forward using her and her daughters to produce quality black & polled progeny.

Below are 2 daughters and out of 2 sires and they are practically identical in every way.

  TLC Theena also compliments this herd.

                                                     

                                     Fullblood Genetics

MIF Grid Iron T91 ET
"Grid" will become our FB Braunvieh herd bull in the spring of '09
He has the all the quality traits of his sire TLC Bud and his dam SC Emmy that we have been working for and consider him a great asset to our program.

                  
              MS TLC Kayla K2110                             SC  Emmy 315H

These two dams represent the strength in our Fullblood genetics. Kayla is a Fullblood "Dragon" daughter with a little larger frame and as you can see great structure and udder. Emmy is daughter of "Mr. Supreme" with excellent quality and she represents the perfect dam. We are using Emmy as a donor and have several daughters being added to our herd creating her "family".

                   Here are some younger dams that are now adding quality genetics.

     
         TLC Kami                       MIF Grace Lynn                       DKB Krista   

Here at Mirror Image we primarily use AI and Embryo insemination from top, proven Sires from Braunvieh and other breeds such as Angus and clean up with our "on-farm" Sires. Our goal is to produce strong, fancy heifers that can go to the show ring and go on to be sound and great producers. Our bulls should be of very top quality that can work on any herd. We are working hard to develop "within the breed" and crossbreeding genetics. We are continually researching  for proven, top genetics and continue to develop our own.        

You will be amazed how  Braunvieh bulls can add maternal traits to your heifers and gains to your feed-out cattle! We will be more than happy to help you select a bull or semen just right for your herd.

                    Braunvieh Reference Sires

                    TLC Bud                TLC Winchester           TLC Black Ben

                                                        
                                  TLC Black Icon             SSB MR P237                

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