Depending on the body condition score and the liveweight of the "cow," usually the carcass weight of the animal is around 58% of the liveweight of the animal. The edible or ready-to-eat (or cutability) percentage of a Hereford "cow" is typically 49% of the carcass weight.
No. A Hereford cow will only give birth to a Hereford-Limousin cross calf if bred to a Limousin bull. Only a Limousin cow can give birth to a Limousin calf--IF she's bred to a Limousin bull. Just like a Hereford cow can only give birth to a Hereford calf if bred to a Hereford bull. Otherwise, she too (referring to the Limousin cow) can give birth to Hereford-Limousin-cross calf if bred to a Hereford bull.
Hereford is a pure breed, and the origin of the colour pattern of the Hereford breed is pretty much unknown. So you can't find two breeds to cross to find Hereford, unless you can find a Hereford cow and a Hereford bull and "find" a Hereford calf!
Both will work just fine. Neither cross will have the desired heterosis like Hereford on Angus or Hereford on Charolais will.
Friesians are black and white and produce lots of milk Herefords are brown, much furrier and are bred for meat
An Angus or Galloway cow would be, yes, but not a Jersey, Simmental or Hereford cow.
The genes.
To produce calves that are sold for beef.
Hereford or a Highlander
Hereford cattle are used for meat because they are primarily beef cattle that are hardy, they are docile, have excellent foraging abilities (feed conversion), and when crossed with other breeds they strengthen the qualities of the meat, primarily the marbling ratio (meat to fat, enough fat dispersed throughout the meat, not too much, not too little.
heifer, Hereford
A Hereford cow is a cow that is of the breed Hereford. She is red with a white face, mane, lower legs, belly and switch, with a little white on her belly. She is very adaptable, and can be found in the veld in South Africa or in the prairies or mountains of North America. She can also be found where forage is abundant, such as in the grassy plains of Uruguay and pastures up on Alberta.
http://ask.metafilter.com/27259/How-much-meat-is-there-on-a-cow