Stabiliser Cattle Problems – Busting the Myths

As a composite animal, Stabiliser cattle fall neither into the continental nor the native breed category. This has caused some people to question precisely what they are and where they fit into the UK beef industry.

Of course, we believe they fit right at the top of the industry when it comes to producing everything the market is looking for. But we appreciate some of you might need a little more convincing.

That’s why we’ve decided to bust some of the myths surrounding this versatile, efficient animal, including some issues people might regard as problems.

But first, a little history

But before we get on to that, let’s answer the first question. What exactly is a Stabiliser?

Although neither a native nor a continental breed, Stabilisers have been bred to combine the best traits of both to create the most efficient and profitable suckler cow.

Stabiliser cattle are the product of trials conducted in the 1970s at the USDA Meat Animal Research Centre in Nebraska to investigate the benefits of composite breeding on cattle efficiencies, particularly in relation to heterosis, or hybrid vigour.

Of the three hybrids created, the one that proved most profitable in both cow/calf and feed yard performance was a 25 per cent composition of Hereford, Angus, Simmental, and Gelbvieh, which then became the basis for the modern Stabiliser.

To cut a long story short, the breed has since been continually refined by committed breeders initially in the states and in the UK since the 1990s.

Critically, one of the things that sets the breed apart from all others, is the sheer amount of performance data that exists on each and every Stabiliser animal born in a registered herd.

This data is so comprehensive and complete that it can be used to reliably predict the future performance of every Stabiliser, enabling farmers to make far more informed management decisions about their herd. This helps them realise huge efficiencies on inputs and produce carbon savings, which is becoming increasingly important within the current financial and sustainable climate.

So, what are the most popular myths surrounding Stabilisers and how have they come about? Read on and find out!

Stabilisers produce small calves which produce small adults!

This is one of our favourite rumours, because, like all good rumours, there is a grain of truth in this one.

Stabilisers have been selectively bred over generations to produce calves with a low birth weight to facilitate easy calving that requires far fewer interventions.

As a result, not only do Stabiliser farmers actually manage to sleep during calving, the incidents of dystocia, dead calves, and cows that won’t calve are generally lower than in other breeds.

But calving weight is only half the story. Stabiliser cattle have also been selectively bred over generations for high growth rate and feed efficiency, meaning they grow quickly on a grass-based system to hit target carcass specification earlier.

In short, they have been specifically created as curve benders.

In fact, the finishing time for Stabiliser steers is just 18 months and they achieve this with a low level of concentrate cost.

So, yes Stabiliser calves are born small, but not weedy. And it is intentional as it significantly reduces problems at calving time. But once they are out, they reach finishing weight quicker on less feed.

Stabilisers are not as shapely as continentals

Again, this is another belief that is based on truth. In fact, this is often said to deride Stabiliser cattle, but we don’t find it derisory at all.

It is true that if you like your bulls to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 1974, Stabiliser cattle might not be for you.

But just like Arnold’s Mr Olympia-winning physique, some things are best for the show!

If, however, you want an efficient, profitable animal suited to the commercial world, Stabilisers very definitely are for you.

Stabilisers consistently grade R and U, and they will rarely achieve an E grade. But chasing the extra few pennies per kg an E grade animal will bring while forgetting to factor in the cost of getting there can make a big hole in your profit.

As a moderate-sized animal, Stabiliser bulls have high fertility and good feet, enabling them to bull a large number of cows. Cows birth easily making for efficient calving with far fewer problems.

They do this while consuming a lot less feed, enabling farmers to keep more animals on the same land. And with every cow birthing a calf each year, the production increases, making for a more profitable herd.

It is this combination of consistency, reduced interventions, and feed efficiency that makes returns for Stabilisers higher, and why we don’t mind if the bulls don’t look like Arnie!

Stabilisers are only good if used as bulls for finishing

Let’s start this one off by saying, yet again, there is truth in it. The truth is Stabilisers are great as bulls for finishing.

However, this is not the only place Stabilisers excel.

Many people underestimate the role of the cow in the suckler system and focus too much on a strong, terminal sire. But this is back to front as the cow is at the backbone of the system. She conceives the calf, carries it, calves it, and rears it.

Without a good mother, you have nothing worth finishing!

Stabiliser cows have been selectively bred to possess the traits needed to create a profitable suckler herd. This includes high fertility, great feed efficiency, moderate size, great mothering instincts and good producers of milk.

Stabiliser heifers achieve maturity early enabling them to successfully calve at two, helping to improve efficiency for farmers. Our heifers also make excellent finishers, consistently producing a 300kg, R and U grade carcass – just what the market wants.

You can’t out-winter Stabiliser cows

This is the first of our myths that has no grain of truth in it whatsoever.

In fact, due to the feed efficiency of Stabilisers, their ability to do well on marginal land, and their moderate size, they out-winter very comfortably.

Don’t believe us? We have a network of more than 100 multipliers stretching from the north of Scotland to the south of England, many of whom out-winter their cows every year without problems.

You can only buy Stabilisers via the Stabiliser Cattle Company

This one isn’t a myth, it is true – all pedigree stock is traded through us.

By doing this, however, it means we can keep a close eye on quality and ensure Stabilisers are fit to perform.

A lot of animals sold via the Stabiliser Cattle Company are viewed directly by a member of our sales team to ensure we will never sell you the wrong animals.  We are not after a quick sale and aim instead to build relationships with farmers.

With the amount of data we hold on individual Stabiliser cattle, and our ability to accurately forecast trait development in youngstock, we can match animals precisely to your needs and improve your herd based on science rather than judgement or guesswork.

Couple this ongoing consultancy aimed at helping you improve efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in the marketplace, and you start to get an idea of the value the Stabiliser Cattle Company can bring to your suckler operation.

Building a profitable suckler herd takes time and we want to make sure that you get the animals to suit your farm and your system.

The Stabiliser Cattle Company tell you what to do

The Stabiliser Cattle Company offers a range of comprehensive services that will help you to improve the efficiency and profitability of your suckler herd.

But it is not an all-or-nothing arrangement. You can adopt Stabilisers into your herd without involving us. After all, it’s your farm, your cows, you have a right to farm them as you wish. We’re here to support, but not to dictate.

We do not charge for these services. Our aim is simply to help you have the most efficient, profitable, sustainable suckler herd you can.

You have to go to Yorkshire to buy Stabilisers

As a proud Yorkshire company, we’d be delighted if you decided to visit God’s Own Country every time you needed to buy cattle. However, as desirable as that is, we understand it’s not always practical.

But don’t worry. With a network of multipliers ranging from the Orkney Isles in the north to Cornwall and Hampshire in the south, and from Norfolk in the east to the west of Wales and Tipperary in the west, you don’t have to travel too far.

To find a multiplier near you, click here.

Myths busted!

So, we hope a few myths about Stabiliser cattle have been busted in this piece.

We understand the composite nature of the breed may cause some confusion but the traits they deliver should not. Stabilisers have been bred with one purpose in mind – to create the most efficient suckler cattle available – and by doing so increase the profitability for beef farmers in the UK and beyond.

To start your Stabiliser journey, get in touch at 01377 227790, info@stabiliser.com or click here to fill in the contact form.