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<blockquote data-quote="novatech" data-source="post: 571815" data-attributes="member: 5494"><p>I could not agree with you more. When people compare cow size in relation to efficiency the assumption is that all cattle are equally efficient at converting forage or feed. This is simply not true. </p><p>There is one other factor involved although minor. That fast growing calf, before weaning, is consuming a lot more than just milk. Calves will eat one heck of a lot of grass. Lighter calves will consume less.</p><p>Then one gets to what they get when they sell. Right now the market is paying more for heavy calves. So right now those heavy weaning weights would be beneficial.</p><p>There is another factor involved. Maturing rate. Calves go through growth spurts. Some go through this spurt while still on the cow and some after weaning. To tell this all you have to do is look at their EPD's. Make a comparison of weaning weights and yearling weights between animals. If you sell at the auction then a heavy weaning weight is important, but if you sell direct to the feed lot then maybe fast growth at the lot may be more important.</p><p>Breeding for any specific trait is a long term proposition. For the average bear the fastest way to improve the growth rate on calves is with the improvement of the forage the momma cow <strong>and calf</strong> consume. It would be far more cost effictive to listen to the advice of Caustic <strong>being a grass farmer first</strong> before worrying about refineing genetics to fit the pasture.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="novatech, post: 571815, member: 5494"] I could not agree with you more. When people compare cow size in relation to efficiency the assumption is that all cattle are equally efficient at converting forage or feed. This is simply not true. There is one other factor involved although minor. That fast growing calf, before weaning, is consuming a lot more than just milk. Calves will eat one heck of a lot of grass. Lighter calves will consume less. Then one gets to what they get when they sell. Right now the market is paying more for heavy calves. So right now those heavy weaning weights would be beneficial. There is another factor involved. Maturing rate. Calves go through growth spurts. Some go through this spurt while still on the cow and some after weaning. To tell this all you have to do is look at their EPD's. Make a comparison of weaning weights and yearling weights between animals. If you sell at the auction then a heavy weaning weight is important, but if you sell direct to the feed lot then maybe fast growth at the lot may be more important. Breeding for any specific trait is a long term proposition. For the average bear the fastest way to improve the growth rate on calves is with the improvement of the forage the momma cow [b]and calf[/b] consume. It would be far more cost effictive to listen to the advice of Caustic [b]being a grass farmer first[/b] before worrying about refineing genetics to fit the pasture. [/QUOTE]
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