Stocker Steve. I wish there was more data on this important question! Of course, as in every breed, some bloodlines seem to be more efficient than others. Using a measuring system such as GrowSafe (from Canada) that is being used at Midland Bull Test seems like the only "sure fire" way to accomplish this. I would love to be able to utilize this system. I am considering entering some calves at Midland again this fall. This would be as much for my information as anything else. Of course, on their website they warn not to "compare RFI (residual feed intake) across breeds"! :lol: At this time, all I can say for sure is that the calves I keep for bull prospects are wintered on free choice grass hay (actual test almost identical to 2009 feed Comp table) and starting in mid October are gradually worked up to 10 lbs/head/day of a 15% protein Midds pellet which is fed through March. Replacement heifers are fed the same with the exception that they receive 4 lbs of the pellets/day. This seems to work for us. I have the scan data at this computer from 2 years ago on 13 head of our replacements. Ave age 353, ave scan weight 747, ave. Fat .26, ave. REA 9.5, ave. %IMF 4.86 This year's data was very similar, but I don't have access to it at the moment.
Norther Rancher & N.R Reed: Seeing this old cow is what led to my purchase of her son. "They" claim that if you find something you love doing, you'll never work a day in your life. I sure enjoy trying to build the ideal (maternal) bovine!
Thanks
