ranchmom77
Well-known member
We've always implanted our steer calves at branding with ralgro, but not the heifers. DH never implanted the heifers because we don't choose our replacements until close to weaning, and he heard that it wasn't good to implant one that you intend to keep for breeding.
Ralgro's website states in the FAQ that it is ok to implant a replacement heifer once when she is young, but she should not re re-implanted at weaning.
http://www.ralgro.com/implants/mag_qfar.asp
I did some searching here in the forums and found several opinions on the matter... some have said that they implanted all their calves when they were still on the cow, didn't re-implant the heifers at weaning, and saw no ill effects on the heifer's reproduction abilities. It didn't state if the heifers were bred naturally or by AI.
Another person stated that studies have shown that ralgro has decreased fertility/ovulation in a heifer's first estrus, but had no long term effects on her fertility over the life of the cow.
We AI our heifers so that wouldn't be good for us, but the ralgro website states that implanting heifers under weaning age is ok. We usually keep 10 heifers every year out of about 120.
Was wondering if you had any thoughts on the matter.. do you implant your heifer calves?
We're branding our first bunch this weekend and will implant then.. any input is very much appreciated!
Ralgro's website states in the FAQ that it is ok to implant a replacement heifer once when she is young, but she should not re re-implanted at weaning.
http://www.ralgro.com/implants/mag_qfar.asp
I did some searching here in the forums and found several opinions on the matter... some have said that they implanted all their calves when they were still on the cow, didn't re-implant the heifers at weaning, and saw no ill effects on the heifer's reproduction abilities. It didn't state if the heifers were bred naturally or by AI.
Another person stated that studies have shown that ralgro has decreased fertility/ovulation in a heifer's first estrus, but had no long term effects on her fertility over the life of the cow.
We AI our heifers so that wouldn't be good for us, but the ralgro website states that implanting heifers under weaning age is ok. We usually keep 10 heifers every year out of about 120.
Was wondering if you had any thoughts on the matter.. do you implant your heifer calves?
We're branding our first bunch this weekend and will implant then.. any input is very much appreciated!