Good post, thank you. In most of the country, haircoat is an important genetic factor. Here in Wisconsin we get both hot summer days and long cold spells in the winter. Here, a cow that grows a good hair coat ahead of winter then sheds it and slicks up ahead of the summer heat is a much more comfortable and therefore better functioning (keeps eating and nursing a growing calf) than a cow (or bull) that either doesn't grow a heavy warm haircoat for winter or doesn't slick up for summer. For the life of me I don't understand why some homesteader folks around here have Scottish Highlanders, etc. They look like shaggy dogs with horns all year. A good reason to have locally adapted herd.
Edited by Jim 6/29/2022 12:03
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