Keepers?

[cmf1]

took some pix yesterday of the three heifers I was planning on using this year.
Two of them I really like, one's starting to look better cut and wrapped.
Planning on giving them till May before I decide for sure.
Input is appreciated.

first one is F-2 (Shorthorn x F-1 Brahma/Hereford) end of Mar. '09
Will breed to 4.5-5 frame Murray Grey bull
So far I like a bunch

Second here is F-2 (Charolais x F-1 Brahma/Hereford) mid Mar 09
Bought her from a friend of mine to put with an orphan calf I was feeding out. I was planning on buying a beater to feed out also, but my wife came with me and well...
Will breed to 4.5-5 frame Murray Grey bull

And lastly F-3 (Shorthorn x Angus x F-1 Brahma/Hereford) May 09
This is the one I'll probably cut up, as of now. At 3-4 mos looked solid. But now...?
Probably should be terminal anyway.

Last pic just to give a size reference.
Standard size 13 year old cow pettin' girl.
She's got them gentled down pretty darn good.

 

[1982vett]

Thought the first two looked nice till the cow pettin gal........ makes em look small so now I'm not sure. But the last one needs help. Maybe reworming....... or the other two are knocking her off her share of feed. If you can't get her to turn around quickly, I wouldn't spend the time and feed trying to put her in the freezer. Sometimes you need to realize when it's time to just move on.

 

[cmf1]

Thanks for the input Vett,
Made me go out and check.
Their backs are right at 48" off the ground.
I'm surprised at how even they are height wise. Amazing what you see when you go to really looking.
That makes that black pretty leggy at this point. She's about 6 weeks younger than the other two.

 

[1982vett]

That makes that black pretty leggy at this point. She's about 6 weeks younger than the other two.

Kind of makes me think she is getting knocked back off the feed near the end. Another possiblitiy is maybe she just doesn't eat as fast and can't get her fair share. Try penning her and feeding her by herself. When she is finished you can turn her back out with the others.

 

[randiliana]

I agree with you that black just doesn't look as good as the other 2 right now. BUT, you need to remember, that they all go through growth spurts. And when they do that things just don't seem to match up anymore. They often look gangly and awkward. Have seen some of my favorite calves do this. One day they are the nicest in the pen and the next you look at them and wonder WHY you kept that thing. If you aren't in a hurry, I'd wait and see on her. I would be more concerned if she were looking short and dumpy, rather than long and gangly.

 

[hillsdown]

48 inches, your daughter must be tall as I am almost 6 feet and 48 inches comes just below my chest.

The first two could make replacement quality but the last one I wouldn't use .She is not put together very well and she is much more fine boned than I would want as a breeder. I would seperate her and feed her out and I bet she will make for some really good eating.. ;-)

 

[TexasBred]

The black looks almost "drawn" like she's been sick or is dehydrated. But the feed trough looks long enough for everyone to get their share. Have they been wormed?

 

[dun]

Eat the black one

 

[hillsdown]

The black looks almost "drawn" like she's been sick or is dehydrated. But the feed trough looks long enough for everyone to get their share. Have they been wormed?

She reminds me of that heifer I had born a few years ago, that was born with a skin condition and was almost hairless. She was always healthy and ate just as much as all the rest but still looked like crap. I think this is a case of genetics gone wrong.

 

[cmf1]

I stand corrected.
Had them next to a 48" fence and used that as a guide.
Thought about what HD said and went back out with a tape.
Fence settled.

They are at 45.5"- 46".

The black one I started a thread on when she was born about first calves off of first calf heifers.
She weighed just under 50 pounds when she was born May 2nd 09.
Been wormed, no apparent health issues, and just got gangly as heck over the last month.
Always been fine boned though which is why I never decided for sure one way or the other.
If the other two keep up like they are going I won't miss her and April will be just about right for restocking the freezer.
I have the luxury of time and green grass right around the corner in my mind.
But I'm thinking even if she came on gangbusters she still wouldn't have the structure I'd like to use.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

probably just the pic but what concerns me most about the black one is how she fills the corners with her stance in the back. He legs aren't very far apart.

 

[cmf1]

I think it's just the pic.
Here's another.

 

[bigbull338]

the 3rd calf looks tobe a cull in my eyes.but as said she may kick it on an fill out nicely.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I am NOT a "happy camper"!!!!
You took those pics a few days ago ------ and it's SHORT's weather???
Not fair!!!!
Anyway, I would place them 2, 1, 3
You say you wouldn't want to keep the shorthorn x because she isn't good enough structurally? but, the red heifer "appears" to be extremely post legged - front & back. even in the "girl petting" picture. I am guessing she is your "pick" - but she would definately be on my cull list for structure.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

I agree the blonde heifer is the best of the group