Bucketcalf situation

[Anonymous]

Hi, Last year we bought a bucketcalf (Charlois). Now is over a year old. We think we did not keep her on the bottle long enough. She has good body condition, but she has not gained any height. We think she don't weigh enough. We plan to get her weighed to see if she is way to small to breed or what ever or cull. Does anyone have a recommendations or comments? I would really be thankful for the help. This was our 1st calf.--Becky

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[Anonymous]

> Hi, Last year we bought a
> bucketcalf (Charlois). Now is over
> a year old. We think we did not
> keep her on the bottle long
> enough. She has good body
> condition, but she has not gained
> any height. We think she don't
> weigh enough. We plan to get her
> weighed to see if she is way to
> small to breed or what ever or
> cull. Does anyone have a
> recommendations or comments? I
> would really be thankful for the
> help. This was our 1st
> calf.--Becky

if grain dosent do the tricki dont know what will

 

[Anonymous]

Becky,

I would guess you are dealing with the genetics the parents passed down to this heifer. Height and bone strucuture are more often controlled by genetics than food, unless an animal is starved during the time it's growing.

It would help to know the reason she became a bucket calf. Did you buy her at the saleyard or from a private party? Was her mother culled? Was it a feedlot birth? Was the heifer the twin of a bull calf (if so, your heifer is most likely sterile).

Don't go beating yourself over the head about not having kept her on the bucket long enough. If you gave her good quality milk replacer and have fed her good quality hay/pasture, then you've done the best you can.

I would suggest a good vet exam. Your vet can tell you whether she is a heifer that can or should reproduce, and can give you a good idea of whether she has any genetic problems.

Rafter L Murray Greys

 

[Anonymous]

> Becky,

> I would guess you are dealing with
> the genetics the parents passed
> down to this heifer. Height and
> bone strucuture are more often
> controlled by genetics than food,
> unless an animal is starved during
> the time it's growing.

> It would help to know the reason
> she became a bucket calf. Did you
> buy her at the saleyard or from a
> private party? Was her mother
> culled? Was it a feedlot birth?
> Was the heifer the twin of a bull
> calf (if so, your heifer is most
> likely sterile).

> Don't go beating yourself over the
> head about not having kept her on
> the bucket long enough. If you
> gave her good quality milk
> replacer and have fed her good
> quality hay/pasture, then you've
> done the best you can.

> I would suggest a good vet exam.
> Your vet can tell you whether she
> is a heifer that can or should
> reproduce, and can give you a good
> idea of whether she has any
> genetic problems. We bought the calf(Cowley) at a local county sale barn for a bucketcalf project. I have no idea if she is a free-martin or what-ever. I'll go ahead and have the vet evaulate her and go from there. Thanks for your input Linda.--Becky

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[Anonymous]

How old is your calf.. is she alone?

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[Anonymous]

> Hi, Last year we bought a
> bucketcalf (Charlois). Now is over
> a year old. We think we did not
> keep her on the bottle long
> enough. She has good body
> condition, but she has not gained
> any height. We think she don't
> weigh enough. We plan to get her
> weighed to see if she is way to
> small to breed or what ever or
> cull. Does anyone have a
> recommendations or comments? I
> would really be thankful for the
> help. This was our 1st
> calf.--Becky

Becky,

Generally we make breeding decisions based on the heifers weight. Some heifers take a little longer to get to a good breeding weight, but that doesn't necessarily mean she won't have a good calf. We have a few smaller type heifers that have great calves!

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[Anonymous]

> How old is your calf.. is she
> alone? She is 1 year and a couple of months. WE plan to have her weighed. She is w/ one other cow. We feed her separated from her partner, so she actually can get her share. Does that give you more info. Reply back w/ comments. Thanks everyone for the replies.--Becky

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[Anonymous]

> Hi, Last year we bought a
> bucketcalf (Charlois). Now is over
> a year old. We think we did not
> keep her on the bottle long
> enough. She has good body
> condition, but she has not gained
> any height. We think she don't
> weigh enough. We plan to get her
> weighed to see if she is way to
> small to breed or what ever or
> cull. Does anyone have a
> recommendations or comments? I
> would really be thankful for the
> help. This was our 1st
> calf.--Becky

Rule of thumb for culling: IF IN DOUBT - CULL IT OUT. Culling is the most important tool for improving your herd.

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