Which is precisely why I have my replacement/retained heifers pelvic measured. Vet was out this week to BANGS, measure, calfhood shots & magnets and threw me a curveball. My minimum goal is 150 and one of my faves measured a pitiful 138; theoretically, she couldn't even have a 60 lb. calf unassisted.
What went wrong? Her dam measured a whopping 182 and she was sired by a +16 calving ease bull. Willy was this heifers sire and he's +9 CED. She comes from a proven lineage: her grandma is my oldest cow (just turned 13) and I've kept all her heifers and 2 other granddaughters. Sometimes there's just no rhyme or reason, but this is the third time a heifer didn't make the cut and essentially the same scenario. Could she calve unassisted? Possible but not likely because my heifers average 70-75 lb. calves. And why take the risk?
Big butts don't always mean big pelvic measurements! First pic, she's in the middle. Heifer on the left measured 162.5, the one on the right was 156.25. Second pic, the heifer on the left measured an impressive 182.
What went wrong? Her dam measured a whopping 182 and she was sired by a +16 calving ease bull. Willy was this heifers sire and he's +9 CED. She comes from a proven lineage: her grandma is my oldest cow (just turned 13) and I've kept all her heifers and 2 other granddaughters. Sometimes there's just no rhyme or reason, but this is the third time a heifer didn't make the cut and essentially the same scenario. Could she calve unassisted? Possible but not likely because my heifers average 70-75 lb. calves. And why take the risk?
Big butts don't always mean big pelvic measurements! First pic, she's in the middle. Heifer on the left measured 162.5, the one on the right was 156.25. Second pic, the heifer on the left measured an impressive 182.