inyati13
Well-known member
I lost my Milestone heifer during calving this month. So I had my best cow due, Bartlett, palpated by the Vet. She is a registered Simangus cow with her fourth calf. She is a big cow - 1700 pounds. The vet put his arm in and said, "Get ready for round 2." Meaning I had another big calf coming.
I left the farm last night and I noticed she went to the far end of the paddock and laid down. I AI'd her to War Party and based on the date of AI, she is at 276 days today, Sept 1.
I was waking up and the first thought was of my cow. I got up at 3 am. Drank a cup of coffee and finally got Blue and we went to the farm. In the dark, I unlocked my entry gate. In the center of the paddock where I have Bartlett is a mainline power pole. On that pole is a high intensity night light. I could see Bartlett in the light and laying near her in the grass was a calf.
I went to the shop, got my light and went out and checked. The calf raised its head. I patted Bartlett and went back to the shop and waited till light.
When it got light I looked at the calf and thought he may weigh 80 pounds. I got the scales. Went out in the utility vehicle to have something to get behind if she did get excited. I put down a 2x6 platform, put the scales on it, weighed myself (165), picked up her calf which was standing at her head, stepped on the scales and read the needle at 270 pounds. The calf weighed 105 pounds dry.
This is a nice solid calf. I got to thinking. This is the first calf I have weighed. I am underestimating the weights of my calves by 15 to 20 pounds. Here are the pictures of my calf less than 24 hours old:
I left the farm last night and I noticed she went to the far end of the paddock and laid down. I AI'd her to War Party and based on the date of AI, she is at 276 days today, Sept 1.
I was waking up and the first thought was of my cow. I got up at 3 am. Drank a cup of coffee and finally got Blue and we went to the farm. In the dark, I unlocked my entry gate. In the center of the paddock where I have Bartlett is a mainline power pole. On that pole is a high intensity night light. I could see Bartlett in the light and laying near her in the grass was a calf.
I went to the shop, got my light and went out and checked. The calf raised its head. I patted Bartlett and went back to the shop and waited till light.
When it got light I looked at the calf and thought he may weigh 80 pounds. I got the scales. Went out in the utility vehicle to have something to get behind if she did get excited. I put down a 2x6 platform, put the scales on it, weighed myself (165), picked up her calf which was standing at her head, stepped on the scales and read the needle at 270 pounds. The calf weighed 105 pounds dry.
This is a nice solid calf. I got to thinking. This is the first calf I have weighed. I am underestimating the weights of my calves by 15 to 20 pounds. Here are the pictures of my calf less than 24 hours old: