Something else for me to catch some crap about!
Unless a cow is perfect in all respects and only has calves that are perfect in every respect, what is their value as a producer when they get into those kinds of ages. If the heifers are your best genetics, what does that say about the 20 year old cows possible contribution to the genetic improvement. I guess I just don't get it. We have a couple of older cows that will be heading down the road this year. Their daughters and grandaughters are just so much better then they are. I have my favorite cows that are petlike, but when they're not contributing as well as the younger girls, they grow wheels.
On the subject of vets, if you don;t feel comfortable with your vet, or just think he/she/it's a horses patoot, find another. I realize in some areas there is very little choice, in that case it's like voting, "hold your nose and pull the lever"
Dyann":lgohoge0 said:
I would check with one more vet.. just cuz. The difference sometimes is incredible... I used a local vet for a while, until I figured out his #$#$ attitude.. he was not compassionate, did not understand cattle as pets.. and the last straw was when a steer (another pet) got injured.. he showed up 7 hours after I called him, gave him 1 shot.. said if that dooesnt help then we will have to put him down and left after getting $150.00 from me. Furious, I called a different vet.. he came out within the hour, gave him a extremely through exam, was here for almost 2 hours and charged me $75.00. The steer made it .. no thanks to the jerk-vet I called first. i stilll use that vet today.. incredible difference.
I have a LH riding steer, he is in semi-retirement, and is 17 years old. Still doing well. Longhorns can and often do live into their 20;s and occasionally their 30's. LH Cows regularly produce healthy calves into their 20's.
Good luck!