One of the biggest we'd in a while. The cold weather seems to be increasing bw. Luckily no more Charx calves until March.Jeanne - Simme Valley said:That's a big un!
Jeanne - Simme Valley said:Cold weather definitely affects BW
Jeanne - Simme Valley said:That is a good example of why you don't want to totally trust EPD's on virgin bulls.
If we see the cow in labor we bring her inside the shed. If she calves unnoticed we bring her in with the calf. Will let out when the calf will be around two weeks old. The cows can go inside that shed and it's next to the feeding area, so it's just a couple minutes work to move one in.Jeanne - Simme Valley said:Do you have them calve outside, then bring them into the barn?
We calve them in individual pens too. Later join a couple in a bigger pen. It's a bit pf an extra work to keep them separate for two weeks, but it's worth it. At least for us. Last year we kept all cows in until March when weather was warm and nice. I want first to make sure that calves are nursing well, are strong and are smart enough to choose a warm place to sleep instead of a cold ground. At the moment it's pretty cold and a strong wind makes it even colder. Saw the latest heifer shivering, even if she's in the shed. Have put a heavy bedding of hay for all. Her tips of ears were frozen abit too. The piedx heifer is fully ready to be let out, but probably will wait a couple more days until the weather gets warmer.Jeanne - Simme Valley said:I calve all inside in individual pens. They only go in at night when they "look" ready, then out during the daylight. When they calve, they get to stay in for 24-48 hours, depending on the weather & the need for pens for the next one to calve.
Hope everything went well for you! That's a big calf, for sure.Jeanne - Simme Valley said:2 week old calves look great. I had a big one yesterday, 128#, steer!