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Well cypressfarms, based on observations by producers and academics it has long been suspected and discussed that using bulls with ultra low birth weight or CE EPDs contributes to later calving problems in retained females. It's been my observation, thus we've resorted to sticking with lower to...

I would like to throw that on the grill. When I see a steak that looks to have enough IMF to run my diesel tractors, it makes my mouth water. I'm sure plenty will disagree, but I've just decided what to eat for dinner. Thanks.

I'm getting a little gun shy about posting opinions based on actual data and reseach (I've learned from this forum that I am an idiot), so here are some actual citations: Butt, E.A., S. Pearce, T. Stephenson and M.E. Symonds. 2004. Maternal cold exposure from mid to late gestation results in...

Often, people use a "heifer bull" on their first time heifers. A bull that statistically throws smaller weight calves and often has lighter weaning weights (but not always the case). It has been shown that consistently using this process selects for females with smaller pelvic areas...

Good point Chippie. We have tow sets of irons. One small for calves, one large for cows. I believe the calf size is 2.5 inch letters and the cow size is 3.5 inch. If you get a good clip, right down to the skin, 25 seconds will work with liquid nitrogen. You can clip right down to the skin with...

I used to use a feeder that would hold seven round bales at a time. From the tractor you could convey them up and dump them into a hammermill (grinder). You would merrily go along creating a nice wind row of ground hay without ever getting out of the tractor. We left the strings on the bales. It...

We used to ban at birth. I did a test one year to compare calves banded at birth to those banded at branding time. In one group of almost 100 I left about 30 with their testicles until branding. At branding those 30 received bands. At weaning I compared weights. The weights of the calves left...

Rangenerd is right, good list. We have also used a grader, just skimming the ground close enough to clip it off at ground level. Burning is probably the most cost effective means if you can accept the risks involved. You might add that those methods are good for Wyoming Big Sage (Artemisia...

All of our cattle are freeze branded. We freeze brand hundreds of calves each year for several reasons, but we consistently get good results. I'll forgo the pros and cons of our decisions and just tell you what we've learned. Brass brands work better than steel, but steel can work just fine...

Your climate and feed sources usually dictates which breeds you will want to consider. There are infinite combinations of conditions. There are even more opinions, but a few examples would be: If you are in the south where average temperatures remain high and typically parasite loads are harder...

It's always that first night that goes below zero or into the single digits that you find out what is about to go wrong with your rig. We did the water pump dance followed by the waxy build up in the fuel filter (diesel geling) dance a couple weeks ago. We actually got off pretty easy with all...

I probably used some bad examples trying to make a long story a short story. I see it caused some confusion. Humor me a moment and let me explain because I’m not advocating murder or that the only good breeding is composites, etc.. I simply fast forwarded to the long-term results of consistent...

No, there are no sure fire signs that you can count on 100% other than a calf on the ground for sure. I just heard a person here ask for ideas. If I wanted to post a smart aleck post I would have said something similar like: last year I had a cow that was so loose for three weeks I just finally...

I didn't mean to upset anyone. This is a sore subject with me. However, yes linebreeding is inbreeding. If you have line-bred cattle, then you just have to accept the fact that you have in-bred livestock, dogs, whatever (hopefully not kids). You might experience some short-term gains as some...

In the Northwest, for 500 weight calves, the best time is March-April as most producers calve in the spring and sell their calves in the fall, thus there is a shortage in the spring. That being said, 800 weight calves bring the highest price in mid December. At least that is what an analysis of...

I tried to respond again, but it seems my last post didn't make it so here it goes again, at least the gist of it: It takes a little time to develop an eye for it, in fact I used to think the old timers were pulling my leg, but as the calf starts to move toward the birth canal, it causes the...

Cesarian or prolapsed animal; ship her. I don't wast time with second chances in these matters. I don't waste any time worrying about it being the right choice; it is. Could be the bull that was used, could be she had a small pelvis. Regardless once the uterus has been compromised with a...

We have over 600 acres of flood irrigated pasture that we use routinely. On average we loose 1 - 2 cows a year (.025%)that lay too close to the edge of one of our ditches. They lay on the edge, they wind up sliding into the depression/ditch, and die in less than 15 minutes. Their rumen winds up...

We used the Y-Tex for years and then switched to Z-Tag. We have lost far less tags with the Z-tags, no doubt. We switched simply because the backs and therefore applicator for our RFID tags is the same for the Z-tags. By happenstance we found out that the Z-tags hold up better. I think it is...

Don't beat yourself up. I know how you feel. You hate to loose even one, but sometimes it just happens. I wouldn't have done anything different. It really gets to you when you run out of time to go back and doctor that calf at the end of the day and tell yourself, "I'll get to it first thing...