Some new calves

[SRBeef]

Spring can't be too far away with new calves all around. It always amazes me how calves change after just 3 or 4 days on mama's milk.

And how the newborn calves get licked off, stand up, turn around and get their first colostrum.

Another heifer calving this afternoon. Dumb heifer this morning laid down to start calving across the entrance to the main waterer, blocking access for the others... I was able to get her up and moved over to a better spot nearby. Interesting business at calving time especially.
Jim

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Nice looking animals Jim.

 

[SRBeef]

Thank you. The herd is coming along.

Jim

 

[denvermartinfarms]

Nice cattle.

 

[SRBeef]

Thanks. Not all roses though. Found a 1st calf heifer with her legs uphill, almost caste and a nice but dead heifer calf behind her. Flipped the hiefer over just in time and saved her. I hate burying dead calves. Just part of the cattle business I guess. Also part of having mostly hilly ground. Few flat places to have a calf. Rookies can get into trouble. Veteran cows are better at finding a place to have their calf.

Jim

 

[denvermartinfarms]

Sorry about the dead calf. Do you have all Hereford cattle.

 

[longhorntractor]

Beautiful calves! Were all unassisted births?

 

[SRBeef]

Yes I am all Herefords and in herd building mode. I figure I need 30-35 calves a year to make a decent ROI and income. I want a herd of straight Hereford cows and after I get my numbers up I may try a couple different bulls on them, maybe alternate Hereford and Simmi or Angus bulls each year ?

Or break the herd into two groups and use a Hereford bull to make replacement cows and a black bull for Baldy calves.... I'll be interested in seeing the data from the crossbred compared to my purebred calves and see which way to go. I am into weighing my cattle frequently.

Yes all of mine are unassisted births fwiw. They calve out on pasture. I have no cattle buildings/shed etc. The girls are basically on their own. If I do see a problem I have a very experienced neighbor who is very helpful and a very good cow vet nearby who makes farm calls.

However about all I usually do is to count them. I use good calving ease Hereford bulls and do not purchase any females. BTDT. They are now all home raised and from cows that know how to have a calf on their own. Unassisted calving seems to be a lost cow art. It's a slower way to build a herd but at least you know what you have.

Thanks for the kind words.

Jim

 

[Black and Good]

Sorry for yor loss. Nice cattle These Pic make me want to watch "The rare breed"! LOL :lol2:

 

[Workinonit Farm]

Nice looking animals Jim. I love a Hereford. Sorry about the loss. As to the statement about "veteran cows are better at finding a place to have their calf"....not always LOL.

Katherine

 

[SRBeef]

Nice looking animals Jim. I love a Hereford. Sorry about the loss. As to the statement about "veteran cows are better at finding a place to have their calf"....not always LOL.

Katherine

After seeing where a 3rd calf cow had a calf today, I should retract that statement about veteran cows. Wishful thinking on my part :?

 

[bigbull338]

those are some nice cows an calves.