Appetites!!!

UnlistMe
Gather App
Inventry
M

MikeC

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
7,636
City & State/Province
Alabama
How many use appetite as a criteria for culling?

I noticed years ago that when the first heifer, bull, calf or cow was the first one to the trough when supplementing, they were easier keepers and generally had the best dispositions of the bunch.

Have been adding that to my culling criteria.

Right or wrong?
 
I think your right . The ones that are shy about pushing up to the feed bunk or coming to the feed lot seem to be harder to work . and are not going to stay in as good of condition, and some of mine have also been slow breeders (don't know if that's the reason or not.)

I have never culled for not coming to the feeder but it seems that they are the ones I cull for other reasons.
 
I have never thought of it before; but now that you mention it; the better heifers were the ones that were going nuts when they heard the tractor crank. Those ones that hang in the back and you have to go and call and call and then throw in the towell and bring the feed too in winter are the heifers that typically never amounted too much.
 
MikeC":14u9eoyf said:
How many use appetite as a criteria for culling?

I noticed years ago that when the first heifer, bull, calf or cow was the first one to the trough when supplementing, they were easier keepers and generally had the best dispositions of the bunch.

Have been adding that to my culling criteria.

Right or wrong?
Click to expand...

First to the trough...less fear. Less fear.....better disposition. better disposition.....less stress. Less stress...easier keeper. Easier keeper.....cause it gets more feed and ought to be. ;-)

I don't want to have to feed mine a bunch to figure that out though. They should be a good convertor and easier keeper w/o the supplementation. :)
 
They should be a good convertor and easier keeper w/o the supplementation
Click to expand...

Point taken, and I agree, but sometimes supplements are an absolute necessity. Like now....... in this drought. :(

But if an animal will hustle to the trough she should also hustle to the best patch of forage or whatever.

My best "do-ers" meet me at the gate when I go to put hay in the ring and are the first ones to push their nose in the bale.

I just like those "Appetite Aggresssive" cattle.

Those kind of calves do better in the feedlot too!
 
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
See price on Amazon
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
See price on Amazon
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
See price on Amazon
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
See price on Amazon
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
See price on Amazon
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
See price on Amazon
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Mini Splits - USDA Certified Kiln Dried Pizza Oven Wood, Grilling Wood, Smoking Wood, BBQing Wood (8inch Pieces, 25-30lbs 1728 Cubic in - Hickory)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
C HOLLAND":1yfus26v said:
Mike, I hope you got some much needed rain this afternoon, it,s coming our way now if it has any left.
Click to expand...

Thanks buddy. We DID get some rain this afternoon. My wife and I were trying to think back when we had last gotten one this good and couldn't remember. A little over 1". I am thankful.
 
It's raining here, thats why I'm on the computer and not in the hay field. Rain, hail and talk about lightning---WOW!! I was nealing down in the midle of the room a while ago. If it lets up I better go see how many I have with hooves in the air.
 
MikeC":2bu6hdg6 said:
Point taken, and I agree, but sometimes supplements are an absolute necessity. Like now....... in this drought. :(
Click to expand...

yup, as long as the supplement corresponds to their normal nutritional requirements and dosen't involve over feeding.

MikeC":2bu6hdg6 said:
But if an animal will hustle to the trough she should also hustle to the best patch of forage or whatever.

My best "do-ers" meet me at the gate when I go to put hay in the ring and are the first ones to push their nose in the bale.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Lazy cows will hustle to a trough or hay ring, where the pickens are easy. Then they will go sit in the shade instead of rustling up some forage. Do you ever wonder why they are always near, and hear your call? It could be more of an indication of a high maintenance animal. :o

MikeC":2bu6hdg6 said:
I just like those "Appetite Aggresssive" cattle.

Those kind of calves do better in the feedlot too!
Click to expand...

Maybe, or they go to the feedlot and they eat so much they scour, or bloat, and set themselves back more then gain weight, plus it cost you money in the treatment.
 
i put out 2 rolls of hay today just to see if they would eat it (b/c there aint no grass). the only ones that were interested were the ones that were already fat. the skinny cows (if they acknowledged the presence of the hay) just rubbed on it and continued on.
 
Beefy":qxgqajfb said:
i put out 2 rolls of hay today just to see if they would eat it (b/c there aint no grass). the only ones that were interested were the ones that were already fat. the skinny cows (if they acknowledged the presence of the hay) just rubbed on it and continued on.
Click to expand...

I had the cows break in the barn and ruin a fair amount of hay last winter. They messed it up and on it. Hauled about 4 dump truck loads last month of loose hay mixed with manure and dumped it in the pasture. Might have 1 load of manure left. They really picked it clean.

Our pastures are in rough shape. Cows still look good though.
 
we actually got an afternoon tinkle on the pastures today. from what i hear y'all are worse off up yonder way. hard to imagine.
 
Beefy":p8lnaq77 said:
we actually got an afternoon tinkle on the pastures today. from what i hear y'all are worse off up yonder way. hard to imagine.
Click to expand...

Good thing were not over stocked.
 
Caustic Burno":1njzv8y9 said:
Wish ya'll could get some of this rain.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thought.

We get spatters and short gully washers. We need a week of a good slow rain.
 
one thing about it, even a little sprinkle will make the bahia jump even if it is all seedhead...
 
Caustic Burno":hwg8pdob said:
It is amazing we started getting more normal rainfall about a month ago grass is exploding. Drive 50 miles west and they are burnt up and it gets worse as you go north.
Click to expand...

you going into the hay business?
 

Latest posts

Back
Top