What breeds make the best oxen?

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Mine seem to have defied what people say about breeds, so I’m inclined to say just go for what you like, maybe buya few animals and see how they train up, then beef the ones that don’t make the grade if possible?

My brown swiss was very quick and intelligent – people told me they were slow and slow-minded too.
My simmentalXfriesian is quite intelligent and very speedy with little patience – I keep waiting for him to slow down and become a fat lumbering dopey simmental but he just wants to goooo!
My ayrshires just live to please and whilst they may not be smart-smart, they can do what they need to no problem, best to train so far and I think they’ll be a sensible size and look very smart. Speed I’ll have to let you know on as one of mine is sick so I don’t ask too much of him and the other is very young yet.
We have jersey steers in the beef herd – the best behaved cattle we have, I’d love to train a couple but need to think carefully before adding any more!!
My hereford is very smart, but she is a girl too and we seem to have a bit more of a power struggle going on. She doesn’t seem too keen on speed, but is very docile – good with picking her feet up etc. I thought she’d be a good riding animal but as the speed is so lacking she may get semi retirement as a suckler and just be teamed up with the simmental if needed?
Our dexters in the beef herd are very naughty indeed and I have no wish to train them, although I’m sure they make quick and smart good workers for those with the kind of mindset they’d need!! 😀

[amy40]

I say just pick what you like (or can get) it will work out if you want it to. Although milking devons are my favorite I love my jerseys you just have to stay on them all the time and dont ever let them get away with anything. They seem more willing to try new things. Yes they do move fast but that just means they need something bigger to pull 🙂 We also have linebacks, red& white holsteins, and a baby pair of devon jersey crosses we are starting (cant wait to see how that works) but I still swear by milking devons. They seem like they are meant to be in a yoke. The milking devon is a breed that hasnt changed in hundreds of years. Back when oxen were the only ones working the fields and the woods the devon was the same as it is today. It doesnt matter what breed you pick as long as you work them regularly.

[Robernson]

Carl,
Here is another picture of a horse and ox working together. Just thought that you all would like to see it. Follow the link…

http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/picture/number23092.asp

[CharlyBonifaz]

as the saying goes: you use what you have got
sure makes ploughing diffcult for horses and cattle have a completely different stride and attitude 😉
thanks for the pisture

[Nat(wasIxy)]

a good illustration of why oxen have gone down as weaker than horses there….

[Author]

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