SRBeef
Well-known member
My interest in reducing the average frame size of my cows continues. Last week I was with the herd and compared a couple cows.
One of the things that I noticed is that there is not a direct relationship between the size of the cow and the size/quality of the calf. I have some 1200 lb Hereford cows who raise faster growing, better phenotype, just plain bigger and better calves than some 1500 lb otherwise good looking cows.
Case in point is two particular cows who had calves from the same bull (my T21 bull) this spring.
As we discussed earlier, in general it is logical to assume that a 1200 lb cow will consume less grass, hay etc over the course of a year than a 1500 lb cow. whether or no that is a direct linear relationship is not important.
It does seem however, that with a herd of 1200 lb cows like the smaller one pictured, one could keep more animals and therefore raise more calves on the same grass than if you had all 1500 lb cows like the larger one pictured.
I find it interesting that the smaller 1200 lb cows seem to out produce the 1500 lb cows (more/better weaned calf output per pound of cow). Food for thought and I am looking for experienced feedback.
Here are some pictures from the other day to illustrate this point. This is a complex subject, especially for someone like me who does not know much about cattle. But it makes me more convinced a herd of 1200 lb cows like #66 would raise more beef per acre than a herd of 1500 lb cows like #77. (I could not get a good picture of 77 with her calf but nowhere near as large or good phenotype as the 66 calf)
First photo is 1500 lb cow #77
2nd photo is 1200 lb cow #66 with her 10 week old T21 heifer calf
3rd photo is rear view of 1500 lb cow #77 on left and 1200 lb cow #66 on right
4th photo is my bull T21 in the field with both cows and sire of both of their calves.
I will also add a couple pictures taken the same day showing the grass pasture where I interseeded clover and a pasture mix last spring (08). It has been a cool, wet spring in the north and tough to get the corn and beans in the ground but good for the pastures. Even though it has turned very hot and humid the past two weeks or so, a grass pasture where I no till drilled clover and a pasture mix in is really producing well.
On 6/25 I opened up a section of the interseeded pasture in my rotational grazing. This is the second time on this pasture since May 1. the clover really came through well. After the first grazing I dragged the pasture and clipped it. The clipping really brought it back and took care of many of the weeds and thistle especially.
Notice the difference between the grass on the edge where I did not want to get the drill too close to the wire and in the lane on the left compared ot the interseeded area.
One of the things that I noticed is that there is not a direct relationship between the size of the cow and the size/quality of the calf. I have some 1200 lb Hereford cows who raise faster growing, better phenotype, just plain bigger and better calves than some 1500 lb otherwise good looking cows.
Case in point is two particular cows who had calves from the same bull (my T21 bull) this spring.
As we discussed earlier, in general it is logical to assume that a 1200 lb cow will consume less grass, hay etc over the course of a year than a 1500 lb cow. whether or no that is a direct linear relationship is not important.
It does seem however, that with a herd of 1200 lb cows like the smaller one pictured, one could keep more animals and therefore raise more calves on the same grass than if you had all 1500 lb cows like the larger one pictured.
I find it interesting that the smaller 1200 lb cows seem to out produce the 1500 lb cows (more/better weaned calf output per pound of cow). Food for thought and I am looking for experienced feedback.
Here are some pictures from the other day to illustrate this point. This is a complex subject, especially for someone like me who does not know much about cattle. But it makes me more convinced a herd of 1200 lb cows like #66 would raise more beef per acre than a herd of 1500 lb cows like #77. (I could not get a good picture of 77 with her calf but nowhere near as large or good phenotype as the 66 calf)
First photo is 1500 lb cow #77
2nd photo is 1200 lb cow #66 with her 10 week old T21 heifer calf
3rd photo is rear view of 1500 lb cow #77 on left and 1200 lb cow #66 on right
4th photo is my bull T21 in the field with both cows and sire of both of their calves.
I will also add a couple pictures taken the same day showing the grass pasture where I interseeded clover and a pasture mix last spring (08). It has been a cool, wet spring in the north and tough to get the corn and beans in the ground but good for the pastures. Even though it has turned very hot and humid the past two weeks or so, a grass pasture where I no till drilled clover and a pasture mix in is really producing well.
On 6/25 I opened up a section of the interseeded pasture in my rotational grazing. This is the second time on this pasture since May 1. the clover really came through well. After the first grazing I dragged the pasture and clipped it. The clipping really brought it back and took care of many of the weeds and thistle especially.
Notice the difference between the grass on the edge where I did not want to get the drill too close to the wire and in the lane on the left compared ot the interseeded area.