First calf of the year.

[3waycross]

My 99 Gelbvieh heifer calved tuesday. A bull calf that clocked in at 89lbs. It took her a little over an hour from the waterbag coming out to deliver him unassisted.
I will admit that I was about 5 min from giving her a hand but she really never looked tired so I let her go. The calf also never looked in trouble. She amazed me when she got him out half way she jumped up and finished expelling him and before he bounced she was all over him cleaning him up. I have seen so many heifers that had to work pretty hard just ignore their calves or worse, that when I get on like this it really made me smile. She is one heck of a momma and he looks like he came through with flying colors.

 

[Gators Rule]

gotta love when a first calf heifter's reaction is to get to that baby immediately and start cleaning them up!!! Congrats, and good luck with the next ones!

 

[Isomade]

Nice lookin pair 3way. Funny thing is I can't remember being at your place. But apparently I was. Looks like some of my master carpentry work on your barn in front of the heifer. :lol:

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

It's so handy when they are born with an eartag!!! makes it easier for Mom to know it's her calf.
HaHa
Congrats - good way to start.

 

[snickers]

long legged little feller, and mom looks pretty proud. how old is the momma? I'd guess alittle over two.

 

[TexasBred]

A natural "mother". Great looking cow and the calf looks like he's off to a good start as well...a few months and we'll expect follow up pics.

 

[3waycross]

long legged little feller, and mom looks pretty proud. how old is the momma? I'd guess alittle over two.

Yes he's a big boy he is also pretty long bodied. She was 2 on the 6th of Feb.

 

[I luv herfrds]

Nice looking pair there.

 

[Alan]

Finally a calving experience this year with a happy ending, seems like all I've been reading about is calving nightmares this year on CT. My season should start in three weeks.

Congrats on the nice pair.
Alan

 

[Dylan Biggs]

3way good for you for restraining your self. I hate watching heifers calve when they have to work at it a bit. If everything is presenting normally just a little slowly it is always a bit of a hard call when to intervene. That was a fair size calf for a hiefer also. I prefer the 70 lb calves from heifers. Some though can have 90 lbers with no trouble though. But the risk of requiring assisitance certainly increases as the weight goes up. Getting up before the calf was all the way out is a sure sign she wasn't played out. Good heifer! :cboy:

 

[sim.-ang.king]

Had my first two weeks ago. Only cause the bull got in with her to early. Looks like yours is doing good.

 

[3waycross]

3way good for you for restraining your self. I hate watching heifers calve when they have to work at it a bit. If everything is presenting normally just a little slowly it is always a bit of a hard call when to intervene. That was a fair size calf for a hiefer also. I prefer the 70 lb calves from heifers. Some though can have 90 lbers with no trouble though. But the risk of requiring assisitance certainly increases as the weight goes up. Getting up before the calf was all the way out is a sure sign she wasn't played out. Good heifer! :cboy:

Thanks Dylan, one of the main reasons I chose this heifer was her width. She was at least 2 in wider at a year thru the hips than any other heifer there and she was not the biggest at all. For the record the CE # on the sire was 110 when I AI'd her it has since dropped and the corresponding BW has increased but I thought from day one that she would calve unassisted and God bless her she proved that my faith in her was correct.

The thing about Calving ease that a lot of folks don't give enough credence to is structure. This calf was heavy but long and ropey and boy did he ever come out like a snake.

 

[Suzie Q]

Congrats.

I relax once I see the calf sucking.

 

[MO_cows]

Congrats! She looks like she has taken to motherhood like a champ. I would have guessed that calf to be 10 pounds lighter by just looking at the picture.

 

[fit2btied]

...She is one heck of a momma and he looks like he came through with flying colors.

And real Gelbvieh colors at that! Nice pair!

 

[CKC1586]

Finally a calving experience this year with a happy ending, seems like all I've been reading about is calving nightmares this year on CT. My season should start in three weeks.

Congrats on the nice pair.
Alan

:nod: :clap: Yes! Good to hear the good stuff!

 

[hillsdown]

Now that is the way to start calving season

Really like the heifer 3way .

 

[BrownCow]

Nice calf and heifer,or former heifer. Both seem to be doing well. Good luck with them.

BC