What should I look for in calves

[Partyguy816]

I currently have 10 cows, 2 heifers, and a few calves. Everything out there except 1 cow is black Angus and appears to be in good condition even with some of their ages. My old man sold his bull last May but I ended up retaining a bull (~18 months old now) from another pasture that he let go of. I really hope I don't offend anyone when I say this, but this is more of a hobby on my side because I live 45 miles away, and I have a full-time job. It gives me something to do out there cause I'm usually working on something out there. Other than having docile cattle, what should I be looking for in calves as future replacements?

 

[Lee VanRoss]

Geood fences, clean water and adequate feed. and some ambition.......... and Good Luck!

 

[Son of Butch]

I currently have 10 cows, 2 heifers, and a few calves. Everything out there except 1 cow is black Angus and appears to be in good condition even with some of their ages.
Other than having docile cattle,
what should I be looking for in calves as future replacements?

The calves born in the first month of your calving season. It's a sign of fertility.
Calves born last are coming from your least fertile cows.

 

[A.J.]

There are a lot of different factors. A good place to start is I would look at their mama and if she is structurally correct with good feet and a good udder and has been a good calf raiser and maintains her condition and breeds back on time. Disposition is another big one for me. They don’t have to be pets, but I don’t want one that is gonna take off running away anytime I get near or try to work with them.

 

[TCRanch]

In addition to the above, health history of the potential retained heifers and their dams. If mama has a bad udder or chronic bad feet (just a couple examples), she doesn't make the cut. First ones that are born, with a history of their dams always calving within the first couple weeks of (in my case) spring calving. I'm an advocate of having my heifers pelvic measured; 150 at 11 months is my minimum goal (there have been exceptions).

But let's talk about the bull. Is this one your dad purchased as a yearling and has the EPD's? If not, I wouldn't use him on any heifer - regardless of whether they've been pelvic measured. Why? Because you have no idea what kind of calves he'll throw and the last thing you need are heifers trying to have a 100# calf when you're 45 miles away. Use the bull on the mature cows for at least one breeding season. Are the calves huge? Long, thin, with narrow heads? Go from there.

Another option is to use the bull on the cows and have the heifers you want to retain AI'd.

 

[WFfarm]

Keep good record each year on your calves for date of birth, weight when born and sold. You want to be able to calculate average daily gains and rank your cows from best to worst. Keep heifers from your top cows that birth in the first month of your season.