Pictures by a Shyster

[Bright Raven]

Preface: I confess, in 2010 I started bringing in bovine genetics through the purchase of both open and bred cows/heifers. My breeding program is 100 % using AI stud bulls. I tried to find a way to get cows without buying them. I considered trying to build a cow, steal a cow or have wood elves magically make them appear. As a last resort, I went out and bought cattle.

Seriously, I started raising cattle at the age of 60, only 8 very short years ago. I wish I had 500 years to live. Knowing that is unlikely, I am using other folks genetics.

Here is an example of my sinful ways. I bought this cow as a bred heifer from Fire Sweep Simmental. The cow is a Fire Sweep Simmental cow.  The calf is a bull sired by HPF Optimizer.  Born 8/31/2018. 88 lb BW.

The same calf from a top view.  He is on the inside rail.

This is a view of the entire setup.  I climbed up on the alley rails this morning so you can see how I get all my calves in for a halter training session.   They stand haltered for about an hour. I then lead them one at a time back to the Dam.

Out of guilt - I did band one of my calves this morning. I banded the Broadway Bull calf that weighed 123 pounds at birth.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

 

[Bright Raven]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

See. I am a shyster. I bet he would get your WW up but could you deal with his BWs?

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

See. I am a shyster. I bet he would get your WW up but could you deal with his BWs?

Not my problem, that's up to the cows to decide.

 

[Bright Raven]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

 

[True Grit Farms]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

 

[Bright Raven]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

That was my decision. She ask me and I said sure. Her reputation is excellent in Missouri. I hope to send some bulls out there again next fall.

 

[Gators Rule]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

See. I am a shyster. I bet he would get your WW up but could you deal with his BWs?

Not my problem, that's up to the cows to decide.

My PB Florida simms would jump the fences as soon as that bull climbed off the trailer...!! :shock:

 

[Nesikep]

You banded the one I wanted?!!?!?!

GREAT! JUST GREAT!

How am I ever going to get my weaning weights up now?

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

When you take ownership of an animal and your herd is branded, you're going to brand those animals too.
The paperwork on said animal will show who the breeder, sire and dam are.

 

[True Grit Farms]

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

That was my decision. She ask me and I said sure. Her reputation is excellent in Missouri. I hope to send some bulls out there again next fall.

I'm good with it, just not something I'd do. Those are nice calves, there's just to much time involved to do things like that around here. I have a life besides cows.

 

[Bright Raven]

See. I am a shyster. I bet he would get your WW up but could you deal with his BWs?

Not my problem, that's up to the cows to decide.

My PB Florida simms would jump the fences as soon as that bull climbed off the trailer...!! :shock:

The shame is. He is a very stout well formed calf. Great disposition. Just a couple attractive white spots on the forehead. But at 123 pounds and the Broadway reputation....Wow. he could cause someone a disaster.

 

[callmefence]

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

That was my decision. She ask me and I said sure. Her reputation is excellent in Missouri. I hope to send some bulls out there again next fall.

I'm good with it, just not something I'd do. Those are nice calves, there's just to much time involved to do things like that around here. I have a life besides cows.

WTH would you not brand your own bull? That makes no sense to me.

 

[True Grit Farms]

That was my decision. She ask me and I said sure. Her reputation is excellent in Missouri. I hope to send some bulls out there again next fall.

I'm good with it, just not something I'd do. Those are nice calves, there's just to much time involved to do things like that around here. I have a life besides cows.

WTH would you not brand your own bull? That makes no sense to me.

She put her brand on his bull, presumably so it would sell better? I brand using an X and the last 4 digits of the registration numbers. I really do need to start branding everything, I just don't think we've earned it yet. Branding just isn't a normal thing to do around here unless your a long time breeder or a wanna be.

 

[callmefence]

I'm good with it, just not something I'd do. Those are nice calves, there's just to much time involved to do things like that around here. I have a life besides cows.

WTH would you not brand your own bull? That makes no sense to me.

She put her brand on his bull, presumably so it would sell better? I brand using an X and the last 4 digits of the registration numbers. I really do need to start branding everything, I just don't think we've earned it yet. Branding just isn't a normal thing to do around here unless your a long time breeder or a wanna be.

Branding has nothing to do with registration. It has to do with proving ownership.
Nobody around here register's cattle. Except the wannabes...lol

 

[Bright Raven]

I'm good with it, just not something I'd do. Those are nice calves, there's just to much time involved to do things like that around here. I have a life besides cows.

WTH would you not brand your own bull? That makes no sense to me.

She put her brand on his bull, presumably so it would sell better? I brand using an X and the last 4 digits of the registration numbers. I really do need to start branding everything, I just don't think we've earned it yet. Branding just isn't a normal thing to do around here unless your a long time breeder or a wanna be.

First: they have the best brand I have ever seen!

Branding has nothing to do with registration. (Just making that clear. You didn't say it did but that you use your registration number in your brand). The tattoo in the ear is the only mark the ASA recognizes.

 

[callmefence]

WTH would you not brand your own bull? That makes no sense to me.

She put her brand on his bull, presumably so it would sell better? I brand using an X and the last 4 digits of the registration numbers. I really do need to start branding everything, I just don't think we've earned it yet. Branding just isn't a normal thing to do around here unless your a long time breeder or a wanna be.

First: they have the best brand I have ever seen!

Branding has nothing to do with registration. (Just making that clear. You didn't say it did but that you use your registration number in your brand). The tattoo in the ear is the only mark the ASA recognizes.

I knew you was a crook. :D If I didn't have a tpost sized hole in my def tank I'd drive to Kentucky and show you what it's like to get whipped by a fence builder..... :D .....I'm just gonna go deer hunting instead... :nod:

 

[Bright Raven]

She put her brand on his bull, presumably so it would sell better? I brand using an X and the last 4 digits of the registration numbers. I really do need to start branding everything, I just don't think we've earned it yet. Branding just isn't a normal thing to do around here unless your a long time breeder or a wanna be.

First: they have the best brand I have ever seen!

Branding has nothing to do with registration. (Just making that clear. You didn't say it did but that you use your registration number in your brand). The tattoo in the ear is the only mark the ASA recognizes.

I knew you was a crook. :D If I didn't have a tpost sized hole in my def tank I'd drive to Kentucky and show you what it's like to get whipped by a fence builder..... :D .....I'm just gonna go deer hunting instead... :nod:

Honestly! You need to be reminded of your place. Even though you are a Noble Texas Fisherman and a State-of-the-art fencer, keep in mind that I am a Prince. :lol:

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

So my take away from this thread is that I need to start branding my cattle.

 

[Bright Raven]

Well grit...I always think that unless you start to use your own genetics in your breeding then you never really enter the breeder category. Different bulls every year, using the big names, purchasing your replacement females...it is hard to call a herd "your own" under those situations.

I was looking at a magazine yesterday, it has been about 2 or 3 yrs since I have looked, and all the hot Angus sires seemed to be different than a just a couple years ago. It blows my mind.

I think if you want to be a breeder...get you a handful, or more, of nice heifers or cows. Use the bull of your choice...and cross within your group. Don't bring in outside genetics unless at critical times. Of course you gotta start that young...but otherwise you are just a multiplier.

Tim

TT. If I sold you a breeding bull with a BW of 123 pounds, the "sanctimonious bovine moralist whiners" on CT would lynch both of us.

Birthweight is only one criteria to cull on. With the advancement of your culling practices in 500 years you might be a pillar in the ASA.
Fact is we all started with someone else's genetics, how many generations does it take before your cows are your genetics? I thought it was kind of shady when FSR put her brand on your bull, a bull that you produced using someone else's genetics. But I sure don't feel like it was treasonous, it's just not something that I would do.

Much of what you are describing is a function of semantics. Unless you establish definitions that everyone accepts, it is only semantics.

Breeder. Multiplier. Etc. I think you have to judge based on the product rather than the process.

If the multiplier produces as good or better product, the multiplier wins the prize.

 

[True Grit Farms]

I quit playing games for prizes a long time ago. Your definitely young at heart.