Legacy Speckle Park - Purebreds and Prospects

The Speckle Park breed has done it again. They won the champion carcass at the Calgary Stampede in 2010 and now 2011. These champion carcass results prove that our breed can do it all. The Speckle Park breed provides great production traits and top end carcasses. Not too long ago we were penalized because of our hide colors, now we can get top prices because of this instant recognition. As the breed popularity grows I wonder how long it will take for the other breeds to have a speckled version in their herdbooks?

One trend that has developed recently is the marketing of half cross Speckle Park bulls. Producers are again selling hybrid bulls trying to capitalize on the years of selection and promotion the registered producers have done. This situation has occurred for years in other breeds, and now is becoming popular in our breed. It is important to note, you cannot achieve all the benefits of Speckle Park by using hybrid bulls, the resultant calves are 25% or less Speckle Park. By using a registered purebred bull you can have the hybrid calf crop at your place, and not at the bull sale, why buy the first and best cross as a bull? These bulls should be steers, and cattleman would be wise to source their genetics from reputable breeders. “Speckle hide on the outside means speckle meat on the inside” only when the calf is at least 50% Speckle Park.