Red Bull Breeder
Well-known member
Seen plenty of good gentle cows that would knock the heck out of you when they had a new calf. I consider that a good maternal instinct.
Stocker Steve":321926rc said:The older calves move with the herd. The ones that get left behind are usually a month old or less. Seems to be more of an issue with some continental breeds. Our grazing areas are long and have creeks in them, so sometimes we have to move across a swampy area and through the woods plus a couple gates. It is not simple to go back.
The funny cows are the ones that rush into the new paddock, eat for a couple minutes, then realize their calf is not there, and then run screaming back to the previous paddock.
The not so funny (purchased) cow is the one ran back and tried to take on my wife (who was still in the previous paddock). The cow obviously had some attitude, thought the calf had been stolen from her, and blamed the nearest person. Where is the love?
NWMoAngus":2gx32wz1 said:We are not exactly in the registered business, although I sell a few bulls and replacements to neighbors. Just private treaty, no production sales and don't participate in shows. My grandpa started the operation in the early 1950s and my dad inherited it. I am 60 and have always raised cattle. The only way new genetics come on the place is in a semen straw or via the occasional purchased cleanup bull. I am confident in saying the quality of the average cow in my herd is quite high in comparison to the commercial herds in our region. 30 years of using AI has it's rewards. Additionally, adequate pasture, quality hay and availability of locally grown feed allow the cattle to express performance. We are located between the fescue belt and the plains, which is a very good area for cattle. I guess what I am saying is that when the average quality of the potential keepers is good, disposition can be the deciding factor is selecting between two otherwise comparable heifers. I don't need to keep that slightly nervous gal, because I have enough similar heifers that appear docile. I let somebody else deal with the flighty ones. A heifer needs to be good in every department to stay here. I've had enough experience handling cattle that disposition is the first thing I look at after the weaning weights.
AllForage":16dtvxe6 said:NWMoAngus":16dtvxe6 said:We are not exactly in the registered business, although I sell a few bulls and replacements to neighbors. Just private treaty, no production sales and don't participate in shows. My grandpa started the operation in the early 1950s and my dad inherited it. I am 60 and have always raised cattle. The only way new genetics come on the place is in a semen straw or via the occasional purchased cleanup bull. I am confident in saying the quality of the average cow in my herd is quite high in comparison to the commercial herds in our region. 30 years of using AI has it's rewards. Additionally, adequate pasture, quality hay and availability of locally grown feed allow the cattle to express performance. We are located between the fescue belt and the plains, which is a very good area for cattle. I guess what I am saying is that when the average quality of the potential keepers is good, disposition can be the deciding factor is selecting between two otherwise comparable heifers. I don't need to keep that slightly nervous gal, because I have enough similar heifers that appear docile. I let somebody else deal with the flighty ones. A heifer needs to be good in every department to stay here. I've had enough experience handling cattle that disposition is the first thing I look at after the weaning weights.
Last one, NWMO I have driven through your area a few times to avoid KC on my way back from OK. If I have you pinned right it is not cow heaven in my opinion. It is arguable about your mention a few times about your cheap grain making better cattle. Your area is not special outside of the arid west and NW. Have you left the farm in a while? Most of us have access to feed mills and grow our own feed/hay. I know folks here disagree with me on this, but AI is not the holy grail on everything especially maternal. Few actually have any first hand intimate knowledge of the females behind the straw. If you are breeding the type I think you have, they would fall apart in a lot of places. Nobody has the perfect type for all places. That is another thing to consider with the straw.
NWMoAngus":2rowcw2t said:cow pollinater":2rowcw2t said:Where did you come up with that one? :???:NWMoAngus":2rowcw2t said:Disposition heavily impacts a cow's maternal qualities.
Wild cows, nervous cows, mean and aggressive cows all make poor mothers. A nervous or aggressive disposition usually equates with poor performance in the feed lot, as well. They get distracted and don't take care of their business. I have no idea what the university research says on the subject. However, that has been my experience and is how I was taught.
NWMoAngus":3vfg5ks0 said:I suppose the central and northern plains can more accurately be described at cow heaven, but we have been doing well here for six generations. BTW, my son-in-law played for the Packers from 05 through the 08 seasons and we made the trip up through Des Moines, Dubuque, & Madison to Green Bay. Nothing I saw in Wisconsin impressed by as cattle country. Dairy country maybe. And I doubt good beef cows could understand those northern accents.
NWMoAngus":3odvq7ej said:And I doubt good beef cows could understand those northern accents.
Stocker Steve":2et85a0t said:Do you think mothering traits are inherited, or learned, or both?
Not to be arguementative but I didn't see anything in there about maternal ability. It stands to reason that cattle in confinement would be better served by having a disposition conducive to confinement but that is not the same subject as a cow calf operation on range.NWMoAngus":2kksnb1b said:Link of recent article reporting on K-State research on temperament.
http://www.cattletradercenter.com/ctc_n ... m_content=