soggy sided heifer

[tom4018]

Have an 18-month old Hereford heifer that has a belly that others have refered to as soggy sided. She's been on pasture all winter with little grain. What can be done improve this? Will walking help her?

 

[KNERSIE]

Improve the quality of the feed, higher nutrient value and less roughage will do the trick if your intention is to show her.

In other words more grain and less forage. Post a pic if possible.

 

[Ryan]

is soggy-sided considered a bad thing in heifers?

 

[tom4018]

is soggy-sided considered a bad thing in heifers?

We get conflicting information, one person said it is good and another said it was a bad thing. It is my daughter's heifer and will see if she can get a picture tomorrow. She sure looks like she has a hay belly, but other heifers running with her don't.

 

[Jovid]

is soggy-sided considered a bad thing in heifers?

Depends on if the judge is a steer jock or a cattleman. Steer jocks have been taught by their judging contests that it is bad. A cattleman knows that is definitely a good thing.

 

[Avalon]

I definatley prefer show heifer to be soggy. Any good judge will say the same thing.
Then again there is such a thing as too much. A heifer should never be barrel gutted like a steer!