Mature size

[randiliana]

Everyone is always talking about mature size. Which got me thinking :shock: . So know I am wondering if the size of a bred heifer (to a point of course) has anything to do with mature size?? That is if you took a set of identical twin heifers and fed them differently.

Say you fed one to be 950 lbs as a 18 mo. bred heifer and one to be 1200 lbs. Now the smaller one shouldn't be stunted, and the bigger one will obviously be almost finished. But would there be any difference in the mature size of these animals? Providing of course that they are fed well enough after calving to continue growing?

 

[MikeC]

Theoretically a frame score should follow them for life. It's based on days of age.

An Animal Science Specialist once told me that the stunting deal will only make them 1 frame score smaller than they would have been anyway.

He said if they have genetics to be large framed, they will grow almost as tall as they would have with abundant feed.

Just with lot's of daylight under them. ;-)

 

[randiliana]

Theoretically a frame score should follow them for life. It's based on days of age.

An Animal Science Specialist once told me that the stunting deal will only make them 1 frame score smaller than they would have been anyway.

He said if they have genetics to be large framed, they will grow almost as tall as they would have with abundant feed.

Just with lot's of daylight under them. ;-)

That is kinda what I was thinking...

 

[Badlands]

I've seen as much as 3 frame scores difference.

Usually about 2 frames difference, though.

I've also seen mature cows (supposedly not growing anymore) gain a full frame score when put on better pasture after a purchase.

Badlands

 

[Jake]

cows will definately grow later on in life if put on good feed or if they change environments.

 

[KNERSIE]

I have found that heifers that was bred young or for some reason didn't grow out as expected before they calved has another growth spurt as soon as their first calves are weaned.

Sometimes to the degree that its hard to belief that its the same animal when she comes in to have her second calf.