Calving season 2012 for me

[Nesikep]

Well, I haven't had the first calf yet, but I'm getting ready for them, setting up the calving area electric fences, looking for my needles, syringes, tags, bands, iodine, chains and all that stuff.

Today I was vaccinating (scourgard) in the field, I got 16 of 20 cows, while the 4 that got away (one in particular) seem to know when it's that time of year and must be able to smell the vaccine and know they're getting a poke in the butt, they stay 30 feet away from me and keep a watch on me from the corner of their eye. I only broke 2 syringes (the cold makes them brittle) until maybe I got the hang of doing it again... didn't lose any needles though (whew). If I have any leftover vaccine I'm going to give my yearling heifers a shot, which saves me from giving them 2 shots 3 weeks apart next year, it's worked for us so far

The cows are getting pretty heavy now, but I'm wondering about some of the observed breeding dates I have... For example my 5S heifer (Mega) is supposedly due Mar 28th, but it's looking more like march 10th to me at this point, she's already got pudding-butt and has a good gallon or two worth of udder. Meanwhile the other heifer seems to be a week or two later and was bred a week earlier (so I've probably got her time right). Most of the cows aren't showing any signs yet, which is another puzzle for me since they usually show more than heifers do.

I know many (most even) of you have already started calving... hope everyone has a good one, I know there were a couple people with a lot of nightmares last year.

[SRBeef]

It's about zero degrees F tonight with a strong wind - not anywhere near calving weather yet so please don't give mine any ideas! April will come soon enough. A couple are looking real wide real early though. Good luck with yours.

Jim

[herefordlover]

i am in north missouri and we dont start till the first week of april. hoping all calving tools are where i left them

[regenwether]

I've got 6 on the ground and 8 pened up ready to pop! I was worried about last summers heat but it looks like the girls are bred.

[JSCATTLE]

I've got 20 on the ground 5 to go for spring and 25 around July . Its to hot here for summer calving but I bought cows that were spread out all year so I tried to condense the calving season with out losing a year .

[John SD]

Not to nitpick, but since this is 2012 I hope you're not giving your cattle vaccinations in the butt. Yes, 30 years ago I used to do it that way too like everyone else, but no more.

As beef producers I think we should strive to maintain and market the highest quality beef at every opportunity. Giving vaccinations in the rump area just doesn't mesh with BQA guidelines. Once a guy gets used to giving vaccinations in the neck it's really not any harder than the rump, and maintains the reputation of our product.

Good luck with your calving. It has been good weather for it all winter here.

[Nesikep]

I do give them in the rump, because any cow that leaves our place is a cull. it's also the only place I can get to while they're eating without me noticing them, since the corrals are a quite a distance away... if I have to give a calf or yearling a shot (very rare), they do get it in the neck.

On another note, I felt kicking inside a few bellies over the last few days... little guys are announcing their presence

[Nesikep]

OK, got to taking a couple pictures today, Here's my #5S heifer, after breakfast. If my breeding dates are right, she's got 4 weeks to go (I really hope my breeding dates are wrong)

[BridgeViewAngus]

I do give them in the rump, because any cow that leaves our place is a cull. it's also the only place I can get to while they're eating without me noticing them, since the corrals are a quite a distance away... if I have to give a calf or yearling a shot (very rare), they do get it in the neck.

On another note, I felt kicking inside a few bellies over the last few days... little guys are announcing their presence

You do know that your "cull cow" will be entering the food chain right? So saying it's ok because it's a cull cow when it leaves isn't really a good excuse.

[Kathie in Thorp]

I won't comment on your shot routine, Nesi, but I hope your calving season goes well. Kinda takes the fun out of it if things go to pot.

[Nesikep]

Well, I brought my "Mega" up from the field since she's a heifer and getting really heavy, I reviewed my breeding dates, and she was due to be in heat 3 days after the bull was released, somehow I didn't see that and somehow the bulls were after her 2 weeks later, either way, I'm quite certain she's among the first. by next week I should have a couple little ones

Kathie, did you have a beautiful day on Sunday and miserable weather on Monday? I was out in a T shirt sunday, I got the corrals cleaned nicely, and I woke up monday it was snowing again, it's just below freezing now. The humidity meter was showing 100% RH this morning.. I took the opportunity to douse some of the cows and calves with a delousing shampoo since they were all soggy anyhow

[Kathie in Thorp]

Well, I brought my "Mega" up from the field since she's a heifer and getting really heavy, I reviewed my breeding dates, and she was due to be in heat 3 days after the bull was released, somehow I didn't see that and somehow the bulls were after her 2 weeks later, either way, I'm quite certain she's among the first. by next week I should have a couple little ones

Kathie, did you have a beautiful day on Sunday and miserable weather on Monday? I was out in a T shirt sunday, I got the corrals cleaned nicely, and I woke up monday it was snowing again, it's just below freezing now. The humidity meter was showing 100% RH this morning.. I took the opportunity to douse some of the cows and calves with a delousing shampoo since they were all soggy anyhow

Both days on the weekend were nice, Nesi -- sunshine and 60 degrees. Monday, not so good. A lot cooler, major wind, and we got a skiff of snow last night. Frost on everthing early this morning. Was just outside a few minutes ago, where the sun is out, but the wind is still whoofing and it's definitely coat weather. Lots of new calves on the ground around the neighborhood.

[Nesikep]

Our neighbour across the river said he's pretty much done calving, but we are about to start, and another neighbour to the north of us a couple miles has had 3 calves (of about 80) for a month... they must have been from cows he bought, or his bulls escaped. I had to make a trip to the big smoke for the night, headed back up tomorrow, hopefully they all keep them inside until then.

[Nesikep]

Well, we had our first calf yesterday morning, He's about an 80 lb bull calf, cute as a button... Mother didn't do all that well in the licking department, but she did very well as far as cooperation.. didn't lift a leg as I cleared out the teats and got him started. And going back to the subject of cows not bagging up this year... This one had milk, but the udder definitely wasn't anywhere near as full as I've seen

Mega still hasn't calved yet, but she's bagging up. I've put her on a diet since she wants to do nothing but eat, a half bale a day if I let her... she's at 288 days, so I figure tomorrow might be the day... and it's just as well, it was a miserable day here today, windy, snow (4"), sleet, and now it's raining. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day though.

[Kathie in Thorp]

Well, we had our first calf yesterday morning, He's about an 80 lb bull calf, cute as a button... Mother didn't do all that well in the licking department, but she did very well as far as cooperation.. didn't lift a leg as I cleared out the teats and got him started. And going back to the subject of cows not bagging up this year... This one had milk, but the udder definitely wasn't anywhere near as full as I've seen

Mega still hasn't calved yet, but she's bagging up. I've put her on a diet since she wants to do nothing but eat, a half bale a day if I let her... she's at 288 days, so I figure tomorrow might be the day... and it's just as well, it was a miserable day here today, windy, snow (4"), sleet, and now it's raining. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day though.

Rained here yesterday, Nesi, and then snowed all day today. It's too warm for it to stick for very long.