hillsdown":2680zije said:
novaman":2680zije said:
I don't know that any certain cross will guarantee higher PR. It has more to do with the genetics and nutrition of the animals.
BINGO !!!!!! Great post Nova.
Also preg check, have a definitive calving season and send all those that do not conceive down the road. All breeds
can be fertile, but a cow is only as good as the person managing them.
Btw Gelbvieh is extremely fertile (we have had 100% conception 2 years in a row), and Knersie must have fertile herfs if he has won fertility production awards with his PB herd.
I don't really think "conception rate" is really even an issue. If you are in the cow/calf business they better be fertile no matter what the breed or cross. As hillsdown points out, have a defined calving season and anybody that is not pregnant at preg check time in the fall goes for a trailer ride ASAP. I don't see any way I can make up for carrying a open cow for a year with costs as they are and my limited acres.
I think this also gets back to the discussion here some time ago about the relative importance of preg checking. I can't see how you can run a profitable operation without pregnancy checking and having a strict policy of wheels under ones that are not pregnant. I had to switch a cow that was to be culled but turned up pregnant for a cow that looked good but was open at preg check last fall. Hated to do it but now glad I did. The scruffy looking cow I kept is raising a very nice big calf.
A part of this is having a bull BSE before turn in too so you know he is doing his part. I had one done for the first time this spring since I was concerned about the extremely cold winter possible effect and the fact I have just one bull. A BSE will be done every year from now on.
As someone mentioned above, good minerals esp some trace minerals, are said to have a large effect on conception rates. I think it is worth putting a bit more money into minerals then carrying an open cow for a year.
I don't know if it was just beginners luck or what but I was extremely pleased all of my calves were born within a 21 day period this spring. If nothing else, it shows me it can be done.
There was an article somewhere I read recently that said over half of all cattle operations have NO defined calving period. Read another article that says a defined tight calving period is the simplest and least expensive way of improving cow/calf profitability...
So I agree with others above, I don't think conception rate is even an issue, regardless of breed or cross. The nature of the cattle business is that everything takes so long, compared to hogs for example, that every heifer or cow MUST conceive promptly every year regardless of breed or cross or you won't be in business very long. jmho. Jim