Calving Ease and Birth Weights

[inyati13]

I have simangus cattle and use Angus, Simangus and PB Simmental Bulls. I cannot see a difference in birth weights based on breed. The bulls I am using except War Party are calving ease bulls. For example, the Angus Bull, Tophand, has a CE of 18. The three calves from him have weighed 90, 97 and 80. I started weighing my calves after losing a heifer last year to a severed uterine artery. The calf was over 100 pounds. I have weighed 13 newborn calves beginning last fall. They range from 65 to 105 pounds. The average weight is 87.9 pounds.

There is not enough data to form firm conclusions. One of the intangibles is the form of the calves. For example, I am not having blocky big-headed calves. Most important is that the cows are delivering these calves unassisted. To my knowledge, I have not had any mis-presentations.

I have three cows that I have no concerns about having 100 pound calves but I would like to avoid 100 pound calves for my cows that are in the 1100 to 1400 weight range. I have the vet pelvic score most of my heifers before breeding and even the small ones seem to have adequate pelvic scores.

 

[Supa Dexta]

I normally don't have any issues with anything below 100lbs. Even in my heifers and younger cows, they all usually handle a mid 90s on their own..

Had one @ 118 yesterday from a mature cow which I used the puller, but it wasn't too hard to get out.

Seems to be a bigger size difference in the same amount of weight as they get heavier.. Ex. an 80 to a 90 isnt a big difference. But 100 to 110 is quite a change.

 

[Waterway65]

Calving ease and birth weights are not necissaily parallel. I had it in my head that calving ease went to often with little potty cattle. But I have learned that the conformation of the calf being birthed is as important as the weight of the calf. The Simmental bull, Dream On, is a great example of what I mean. He and several sons are amoung the easiest calving cattle In the Simmental breed. Yet when you look at his offspring you see a tallish slim bodied calf that is ready to grow. I think Bulls can be found in most every breed. I am confidant we can have ease of calving and yet have a calf that can perform well in any other chAracteristic. Mel

 

[ANAZAZI]

Calving ease and birth weights are not necissaily parallel. I had it in my head that calving ease went to often with little potty cattle. But I have learned that the conformation of the calf being birthed is as important as the weight of the calf. The Simmental bull, Dream On, is a great example of what I mean. He and several sons are amoung the easiest calving cattle In the Simmental breed. Yet when you look at his offspring you see a tallish slim bodied calf that is ready to grow. I think Bulls can be found in most every breed. I am confidant we can have ease of calving and yet have a calf that can perform well in any other characteristic. Mel

Over a certain weight, the shape of the calf has no importance at all as too big simply is too big. Aside from that, I agree whole heartedly. Certain Simmenthals and most Blonde d'aquitaine calves have that slender, long shape of which you speak. Even as the calf weights can be substatial the calves come out in a very easy manner.