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<blockquote data-quote="Ky hills" data-source="post: 1778347" data-attributes="member: 24816"><p>Lot of knowledgeable folks on here giving good advice, so now I'll jump in and stir it up a bit, ha ha. My first advice is don't underestimate the cows you have. If you aren't already, I would highly recommend keeping records, know when cows calve and how their calves do. How long in between calves. If a cow raises a decent calf year after year and in a timely manner between calving, then she should be a keeper. I would not cull based solely on color or breed. Cull on lack of performance and disposition according to what you are comfortable with. We have culled pretty heavy at times. </p><p>You can tighten your calving window by pulling the bull out. And as the speakers from UK have stated at some cattle meetings start out by making two calving times, like spring and fall. Then over time if you prefer one time over another cull as needed and replace with cows that fit your desired calving time. Even in small numbers, small groups of calves sell better than singles. </p><p>With a mixed cowherd a good Angus bull would be my first choice. Doesn't have to be a real expensive bull, cause sometimes the quality and price are not always one and the same. </p><p>If looking at EPD's I would recommend a breed average BW or a little below, if calving ease is a concern. I say that because if you retain heifers from higher BW bulls it can affect their calves BW as much as the bull. </p><p>If a little more growth is desired than a easy calving black Simmental would work. I haven't had as much experience with Simmentals is why I usually recommend Angus bulls. </p><p>A good herd health program (vaccinations) as others have suggested is a great idea, in addition to a good mineral/nutrition program can go along way in reducing death loss.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ky hills, post: 1778347, member: 24816"] Lot of knowledgeable folks on here giving good advice, so now I’ll jump in and stir it up a bit, ha ha. My first advice is don’t underestimate the cows you have. If you aren’t already, I would highly recommend keeping records, know when cows calve and how their calves do. How long in between calves. If a cow raises a decent calf year after year and in a timely manner between calving, then she should be a keeper. I would not cull based solely on color or breed. Cull on lack of performance and disposition according to what you are comfortable with. We have culled pretty heavy at times. You can tighten your calving window by pulling the bull out. And as the speakers from UK have stated at some cattle meetings start out by making two calving times, like spring and fall. Then over time if you prefer one time over another cull as needed and replace with cows that fit your desired calving time. Even in small numbers, small groups of calves sell better than singles. With a mixed cowherd a good Angus bull would be my first choice. Doesn’t have to be a real expensive bull, cause sometimes the quality and price are not always one and the same. If looking at EPD’s I would recommend a breed average BW or a little below, if calving ease is a concern. I say that because if you retain heifers from higher BW bulls it can affect their calves BW as much as the bull. If a little more growth is desired than a easy calving black Simmental would work. I haven’t had as much experience with Simmentals is why I usually recommend Angus bulls. A good herd health program (vaccinations) as others have suggested is a great idea, in addition to a good mineral/nutrition program can go along way in reducing death loss. [/QUOTE]
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