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| Have been going for the 100+bw for the last ten years. Put chars on bl/blwf cows weighing anywhere from 1150-1300. Heifs get AI'd to high 70s to mid 80sbw angus. Check all herds when calving but have not pulled any chars for bw. Usually a handful due to backwards or leg back. Even had a heif get bred by a 110lb bw bull by accident last year that popped out a 109lb hef unassisted. Both turned out fine; just took a while to figure out where a white calf had come from in the heifer pen. Focus a lot on the front end of bull at time of purchase, if they look like a block instead of a triangle I pass them by. As far as goals once on the ground the cow is expected to raise 600lb average steer on native pasture with well water. However, in the last two years have started feeding creep with high expectations. 750 is the gaol but came up short with the storm last year keeping them off feed for a week until we could reach them. Hope to get closer this year and keep upping the bar.
On the same note have been disappointed watching neighbors put low bw bulls on cows and turn them loose to calve in rough country in march. Wouldn't matter if 50lbs of dynamite dropped out at 10F with a 20mph wind, not going to have enough spunk to survive that by themselves. Rode through draws at branding time with dozens of calf carcasses. Once your name is on the title of that animal your job is to care for it. Jobs require time to be put in no matter what sector you work in. Get the old stand-bys when discussed: calving barns are too expensive, don't have time to check cows, make them earn their living. Corrals and shelters are expensive but you will pay for them whether you put them up or not. Not a knock against low bw in general just don't like when its used as an excuse to be lazy. | |
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Calf Size Goals
