simme
Old Dumb Guy
I retained two simmental heifers born fall of 2018. Both sired by the same AI bull and out of dams that were half sisters. So, these two are 3/4 sisters. They were synchronized and both AI bred on Dec 24, 2019 to the same bull. 44 calved at 267 days. Tiny heifer calf probably around 40 some pounds. But healthy and vigorous. Got up and nursed without any assistance. 45 calved at 285 days. Bull calf about 75 pounds. He went on to have an adjusted weaning weight of 701. The little heifer calf looked good, just small. Weaned at about 400 pounds. I don't need any 40 pound calves, but I kept the 2 year old. My thinking was that you spend a lot of money to raise a heifer to calving age. She was already bred back to a higher performance bull for her second calf and maybe the 267 day gestation was just a fluke. 44 was then bred AI on Dec 25, 2020. I looked out the window this morning and she has a calf at 271 days. Mom and calf are up and appear OK. Calf looks small. There is a little commotion going on with the other cows investigating, so I will not add to the commotion right now.
I am inclined to send 44 down the road after two short gestation calves. Simmentals generally have a little longer gestation - about 287 days. What would you do? Keep or cull?
Is gestation length breed specific? Longer for bull calves than heifer calves? Shorter for first calf? Determined more by the bull or cow? Need more cattle topics and less politics. Can't have that without discussion and contributions.
Picture of 45's calf for attention. He did OK on milk and fescue. 44's calf not so much.
I am inclined to send 44 down the road after two short gestation calves. Simmentals generally have a little longer gestation - about 287 days. What would you do? Keep or cull?
Is gestation length breed specific? Longer for bull calves than heifer calves? Shorter for first calf? Determined more by the bull or cow? Need more cattle topics and less politics. Can't have that without discussion and contributions.
Picture of 45's calf for attention. He did OK on milk and fescue. 44's calf not so much.