ND | Doug61 - 1/31/2026 19:58
I just sold my steer calves Jan 20th. They were 75 days weaned, 2 rounds. Mathematical averages were 656# at $4.23 = $2775/hd. Over the 75 days, they gained 75 pounds on 5# grain mix per day and all the prairie hay they desire while on a 65 acre native grass pasture. Sale manager liked the calves condition. I think I could have feed a little harder.
Three years ago, I weighed the cows at weaning. They averaged 1225#. My question when do the experts weigh cows? I'm pretty sure my cows average close to 1350 at calving. So what number is used to figure forage consumption?
When I had a fall calving group the swing was even greater 1550-1150. The question remains what size are they when talking cows forage demands?
I think you make a great point about when to weigh cows. a cows weight will vary quite a bit throughout the year. and depending on when you weigh can really make those percent of cows weight weaned ratios look really good or really bad. personally I think the best time to weigh is at preg checking in the fall. its more of a working weight. but its probably their lightest weight too. so who knows.
sounds like you're do a great job in your cow heard though balancing weight and profitability. |
feeding small frame calves.
