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Best Cattle Crosses For Unassisted Calving
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<blockquote data-quote="Ebenezer" data-source="post: 1765990" data-attributes="member: 24565"><p>"The biggest issue I see in using replacements from first calf heifers is longevity and fertility."</p><p></p><p>"I agree with the comment above that the best replacements come from older cows that are proven. Maternal traits are not that heritable, so if speaking purely in terms of a good, productive cow, then it seems to always be see what you get out of that 1st calf heifer in regards to how she does on that first birth and then make a culling decision.</p><p></p><p>Older cows tend to give the best care as well (they give more milk as they mature (up to about 8 or 9 years) and know how to care for the calf a bit better, so you are probably going to have some benefits for that replacement based on no rough patches early in life for the calf (easy birthing, likely larger weaning weight, etc.). And she likely has a good teacher in her older momma. These advantages probably make a better replacement cow as well."</p><p></p><p>Two quotes that dwell on old time thoughts but not much proof in a herd that selects for females rather than terminal traits. If you raise enough heifers and use the dam and grand dam as the focus of the heifer you will be amazed how well heifers will do. The biggest problem that people have in heifer problems, in general, is the unknown side of the sire. If AI, many are by the young bull of the year. If pasture bred, the bull turnover is real and many need a new source and a new bloodline to feel safe. And Bonsma type selection will help in the females to speed the process. But nobody can make a dollar off of you if you do that so it is not popular.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ebenezer, post: 1765990, member: 24565"] "The biggest issue I see in using replacements from first calf heifers is longevity and fertility." "I agree with the comment above that the best replacements come from older cows that are proven. Maternal traits are not that heritable, so if speaking purely in terms of a good, productive cow, then it seems to always be see what you get out of that 1st calf heifer in regards to how she does on that first birth and then make a culling decision. Older cows tend to give the best care as well (they give more milk as they mature (up to about 8 or 9 years) and know how to care for the calf a bit better, so you are probably going to have some benefits for that replacement based on no rough patches early in life for the calf (easy birthing, likely larger weaning weight, etc.). And she likely has a good teacher in her older momma. These advantages probably make a better replacement cow as well." Two quotes that dwell on old time thoughts but not much proof in a herd that selects for females rather than terminal traits. If you raise enough heifers and use the dam and grand dam as the focus of the heifer you will be amazed how well heifers will do. The biggest problem that people have in heifer problems, in general, is the unknown side of the sire. If AI, many are by the young bull of the year. If pasture bred, the bull turnover is real and many need a new source and a new bloodline to feel safe. And Bonsma type selection will help in the females to speed the process. But nobody can make a dollar off of you if you do that so it is not popular. [/QUOTE]
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