MikeC":216p66bx said:Just wondering how many commercial producers have birthdates on calves and calculate 205 day adjustment weights?
If not, How would you make culling decisions/heifer retention decisions in order to improve your herd beyond the obvious visual imperfections?
I have every birthdate recorded but the only weights we get come from the salebarn when they are sold. If you know your herd well you know which cows are the most fertile, which ones wean the heaviest calf consistently, which ones calve early each year (these are usually your better cows unless you let opens hang around), whos walking a fine line between the pasture and the patty, etc. Knowing your best cows allows you to retain your best heifers. the first criteria is being the daughter of a best cow. after that you get a pass/fail based on disposition, visual appraisal, fertility, etc.