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making calves work
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<blockquote data-quote="novatech" data-source="post: 621606" data-attributes="member: 5494"><p>My cattle are what I would call moderate to low milkers. They all stay in good flesh through weaning calves. I have had cows go down a bit during drought but have never had to wean early when grass was in short supply. </p><p>I make my comparisons at weaning time as far as calf raising ability and her BCS. Then cull accordingly. At that point I really don't pay much attention to how much milk she produced, but have noticed that the lower milkers also are not in quite as good body condition as the moderate milkers. My herd average on calves is 2.83 lbs per day weaning weight on purebred Brahmans, with no supplement, non fertilized pasture and below average quality hay only when necessary.</p><p>I have had heavy milkers in the past. They raise nice fat calves. They were the only cows I ever had teat problems with and the only ones that could not hold up in hard times. It was the only time I ever had to feed protein supplement. They were the only cows that did not rebreed for a calf per year. Those problems have been eliminated.</p><p>As far as EPD's I cannot help as the man I bought my cattle from did not keep up with them. (I question milk EPD's as they do not take into account the hustling ability of the calf.) I have taken care of his cattle for several years so I new the cows that would hold up and those that would not. He sells his cows at 12 years old so that is what I made my foundation stock from.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="novatech, post: 621606, member: 5494"] My cattle are what I would call moderate to low milkers. They all stay in good flesh through weaning calves. I have had cows go down a bit during drought but have never had to wean early when grass was in short supply. I make my comparisons at weaning time as far as calf raising ability and her BCS. Then cull accordingly. At that point I really don't pay much attention to how much milk she produced, but have noticed that the lower milkers also are not in quite as good body condition as the moderate milkers. My herd average on calves is 2.83 lbs per day weaning weight on purebred Brahmans, with no supplement, non fertilized pasture and below average quality hay only when necessary. I have had heavy milkers in the past. They raise nice fat calves. They were the only cows I ever had teat problems with and the only ones that could not hold up in hard times. It was the only time I ever had to feed protein supplement. They were the only cows that did not rebreed for a calf per year. Those problems have been eliminated. As far as EPD's I cannot help as the man I bought my cattle from did not keep up with them. (I question milk EPD's as they do not take into account the hustling ability of the calf.) I have taken care of his cattle for several years so I new the cows that would hold up and those that would not. He sells his cows at 12 years old so that is what I made my foundation stock from. [/QUOTE]
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