Fleckvieh as a suckler cow

[t murrr]

Has anyone used fleckvieh heifers out of Milker s as sucklers. Know a man with a few and they are quality. Going by there mothers seem to grow into big roomy cows

 

[Blaithin]

I use them but they raise multiple calves. Mine are straight off the dairy and produce too much for one calf. Most do well with two however three is optimal at freshening until the little ones can keep up.

A heifer may be able to manage with just one calf, mine are all cows so are well into their stride. Should have my first heifer calve next spring and wouldn't be surprised if she just raises one calf her first lactation.

 

[Devil's advocate]

I use them but they raise multiple calves. Mine are straight off the dairy and produce too much for one calf. Most do well with two however three is optimal at freshening until the little ones can keep up.

A heifer may be able to manage with just one calf, mine are all cows so are well into their stride. Should have my first heifer calve next spring and wouldn't be surprised if she just raises one calf her first lactation.

Is that out grazing in the field fostered on.

Or bringing the cows in to be "milked" by the calves twice a day.

Interesting the system you use. We used to rear calves with ex milkers bringing the cows in putting neck chains on & releasing calves to feed, each cow would rear 12 calves per lactation but it was hard work. The system worked well with Angus x Dairy too we used Charolais semen too which was a bonus.

Simmental or Flevick cows would be perfect.

Often wondered about trying the same system to rear pet lambs using dairy sheep breeds.

 

[Blaithin]

Is that out grazing in the field fostered on.

Or bringing the cows in to be "milked" by the calves twice a day.

Interesting the system you use. We used to rear calves with ex milkers bringing the cows in putting neck chains on & releasing calves to feed, each cow would rear 12 calves per lactation but it was hard work. The system worked well with Angus x Dairy too we used Charolais semen too which was a bonus.

Simmental or Flevick cows would be perfect.

Often wondered about trying the same system to rear pet lambs using dairy sheep breeds.

They’re out in the field.

First month or so is usually supervised meals but after that calves are old enough they get it figured out.

If I kept them separate I could manage them tighter and raise more per lactation. 3-4 at a time, 1-3 groups per lactation, kind of idea. But I’m lazy. I have to feed cows all winter, summer I like being able to leave them alone and go away.

 

[Blaithin]

Recent photos:

Two calves in front here are on the Shorthorn behind them.

The two calves behind that group are on the Fleck on the right here.

These two cows did end up sharing calves last year. Two from the fleck decided the shorthorn could be mom too. The two thieving calves I have this year stayed at the home pasture with their mom as they are a couple months older so I wasn’t willing for them to steal from the youngers. Don’t think any of the four in the photos are real thieves this year.

 

[Samcowman]

I use a fleckvieh bull on homebred Angus x cows and works well. The heifers perform really well. As a bonus the fleckvieh x steers make good fat animals.

 

[Al R]

Is that out grazing in the field fostered on.

Or bringing the cows in to be "milked" by the calves twice a day.

Interesting the system you use. We used to rear calves with ex milkers bringing the cows in putting neck chains on & releasing calves to feed, each cow would rear 12 calves per lactation but it was hard work. The system worked well with Angus x Dairy too we used Charolais semen too which was a bonus.

Simmental or Flevick cows would be perfect.

Often wondered about trying the same system to rear pet lambs using dairy sheep breeds.

im Sure I read on here that someone was using dairy goats for that job too...

would the montbeliarde work as well as the flekvieh?

 

[Whitepeak]

I believe a fleckvieh is just a simmental that has been selected for milk/dairy traits rather than beef (like beef vs dairy shorthorn).
Dairy farm I milk at has a few out of holsteins. Very big heavy cows that hold condition, seem to milk well but udders get very low very quickly. Herd is a 12400kg, 3x, intensive herd though. I would say they are far too milky as a dairy cross for sucklers, probably OK if crossing fleckvieh onto extreme beef (limxbb) type cows.

 

[t murrr]

I use them but they raise multiple calves. Mine are straight off the dairy and produce too much for one calf. Most do well with two however three is optimal at freshening until the little ones can keep up.

A heifer may be able to manage with just one calf, mine are all cows so are well into their stride. Should have my first heifer calve next spring and wouldn't be surprised if she just raises one calf her first lactation.

Are you meal ing them cows .I know they would be quiet milky .Was thinking of putting something like a simmental on the the first year and then bang them to the charlois. Only to rear the one calf however but milking them would not be an option let her rear it .I find once them continental cattle get up a bit they could take any amount .

I believe a fleckvieh is just a simmental that has been selected for milk/dairy traits rather than beef (like beef vs dairy shorthorn).
Dairy farm I milk at has a few out of holsteins. Very big heavy cows that hold condition, seem to milk well but udders get very low very quickly. Herd is a 12400kg, 3x, intensive herd though. I would say they are far too milky as a dairy cross for sucklers, probably OK if crossing fleckvieh onto extreme beef (limxbb) type cows.

How many kg of milk should a decent suckler cow produce in a day I know alot of men round here recon 4 litres or 4.5 kg should be enough but I would have thought that space especially once calf gets going dead on in first 2 weeks or something like that .Some of our limousine here would be that or a bit more and rear good calves .But we have a couple of british friesian x and could spot there calves a mile off .females big roomy and plenty in the can for the limousine calves to thrive on .Only negative is can trow black limousine calves can t have it every road suppose

 

[Blaithin]

Are you meal ing them cows .I know they would be quiet milky .Was thinking of putting something like a simmental on the the first year and then bang them to the charlois. Only to rear the one calf however but milking them would not be an option let her rear it .I find once them continental cattle get up a bit they could take any amount .

Mealing them? Like grain?

They get some COB and beet pulp at freshening when they’re getting foster calves but otherwise no grain. If someone comes off summer pasture a bit thin I’ll grain them. The shorthorn is having toe issues that I can’t get trimmed until they come in in the fall so she’s thinner than I want. She’ll get extra goodies.

Milking them, no. If and when I want some milk I can usually go steal some. If I don’t have enough fosters to keep up at freshening and the cows seem too full I’ll milk them out OAD then as well. Not ever a long term thing though.

The right Fleck in the photo peaked at 12 gallons the year I picked her up. Even a big continental calf wouldn’t be drinking that at 2-3 months old. They may get close to handling 6 gallons. My other Fleck probably does 8 gallons or so at peak, again too much for one calf.

If you find the right line thats lower producing at a dairy and you just feed them straight grass with no pushing you might get away with it. A 4-6 gallon a day producer should be ok with a single calf.

But if you’re just looking for extra milky cows why not pick an already milky breed, like beef Sims, and go from there. Even crossing them with a Fleck bull to up the milk a bit more. Beats the hassle of dealing with a heifer if she ends up producing insane amounts.

 

[t murrr]

Yeah I really like the simmental breed and they are insanely good to there calves .Dad has limousine as I said but want to go down this route or possibly saler but it is a slow process trying to ai cows to right bull etc. Biggest problem with retaining heifers is cash flow maybe be as well letting some go and buying cows springing or calf at foot