IluvABbeef
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Maybe I'm putting this on the wrong board (then again, maybe not..) but I want to start a discussion regarding milking ability of the dam in correlation to weight gain of the calf.
I have one source that says that having too much milk from the dam could offset the growth potential of the calf. One study from the Georgia Station finds that conversion of milk to beef may not be as efficient at high levels of milk production. So, "instead of going beyond 3 000 lbs of milk in beef cows, it may be more efficient to creep feed the calves."
And then there's another source that says that for an extra 10 lbs milk from the dam produces 1 lb of weaned calf (So, 1 gallon more milk per day may produce about a 150-lb heavier calf at weaning age), and that postweaning gains are not affected by the milk production of the dam up to 3 500 lbs. "Beyond this may be another story, because it is generally recognized that creep feeding results in slower and costlier gains during the feeding period following weaning."
And then there's also this to take into account: on poor range where feed is sparse, a relatively low level of milk production may be necessary to allow good reproduction, while on improved pastures a very high level of milk production may be desirable.
I'm keeping an open mind. But like I said before, I'd like to have all your's opinion on this, if at all possible, on what side you agree/disagree with.
I have one source that says that having too much milk from the dam could offset the growth potential of the calf. One study from the Georgia Station finds that conversion of milk to beef may not be as efficient at high levels of milk production. So, "instead of going beyond 3 000 lbs of milk in beef cows, it may be more efficient to creep feed the calves."
And then there's another source that says that for an extra 10 lbs milk from the dam produces 1 lb of weaned calf (So, 1 gallon more milk per day may produce about a 150-lb heavier calf at weaning age), and that postweaning gains are not affected by the milk production of the dam up to 3 500 lbs. "Beyond this may be another story, because it is generally recognized that creep feeding results in slower and costlier gains during the feeding period following weaning."
And then there's also this to take into account: on poor range where feed is sparse, a relatively low level of milk production may be necessary to allow good reproduction, while on improved pastures a very high level of milk production may be desirable.
I'm keeping an open mind. But like I said before, I'd like to have all your's opinion on this, if at all possible, on what side you agree/disagree with.