I appreciate what you are saying and won't "fall into the trap of calling [the cross] a success". 

In cattle as in many things in life, you can't really have everything.  Hide color is not important to me as I don't usually sell calves or fats. There are many other attributes which are important to me which my home-raised Hereford cows have. There are a couple other traits which I am told Flecks have which I would like to add to my Hereford traits.

I know crossing breeds doesn't always mean 2+2 = 4 with cattle. Sometimes 2+2=3...but sometimes 2+2=5.

Over and out on this one.