Heifer Calves Getting In Calf Earlier

[Henarar]

We calve inside here and everything's tagged before it leaves one of the 5 individual pens. Just thought it was an interesting alternative.

With pedigrees do you swap bulls after a few weeks? If so, how do you decide which bull is the site? I've Saler and Simmental here and occasionally it can be hard enough to tell.

DNA test for peds if you swap bulls

 

[Werzle]

Better management will save alot of costs in the long run.

 

[milkloss]

Better management will save alot of costs in the long run.

Yes, although slip ups will happen. its a b4stard job especially as they're usually well in calf by the time they're caught. having to calve a dead foetus after estrumate and dexadresson isn't a nice or easy job either and best avoided.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If I don’t tag, castrate and dehorn within 3 days off birth I can’t catch the little sods

 

[Sharpy]

If I don’t tag, castrate and dehorn within 3 days off birth I can’t catch the little sods

I know a guy who used to tag Belted Galloways before the hips were out, reckoned it was the only way when calving outside.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

At present we use a Polled bull on our pedigrees first and then switch to non polled. Seems to work fine until we are all Polled!!!

 

[delilah]

All heifer calves jabbed with estrumate when the vet is here to scan. Missed two one year. Not going through that again .

 

[willie waver]

had a 15 month old calve last month. spotted her in calf a month earlier, so was watching her. she wouldn't have got it out alive on her own, but it came out fine with the jack. little angus. these things happen

 

[M-J-G]

At present we use a Polled bull on our pedigrees first and then switch to non polled. Seems to work fine until we are all Polled!!!

The waters become muddied after a couple of generations when cows become Pp or you have a Pp bull

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

The waters become muddied after a couple of generations when cows become Pp or you have a Pp bull

True, but I will worry about that when we get to that stage!

 

[M-J-G]

True, but I will worry about that when we get to that stage!

Totally agree with your idea, you're doing exactly what I used to do by swapping polled and horned sires.
It's just now we don't have that option, the bonus is that we have very few horned calves.