Weghing dairy heifers

[I thats it]

I'm currently trying to lower my age at first calving but old habits die hard. Dies anyone else use a weigh band? I'm sure as I get used to it I'll be able to do it from eye. Served 2 today that the weigh band had at 360kg and 400. They feel small to me but hope they'll be fine. Just wondered how accurate the weigh bands are.

 

[dinderleat]

Don’t worry about weight just get them served to calve at 24m

 

[Princess Pooper]

We work on a % of mature height (for our herd) rather than weight. Can't remember what is recommended but I did calibrate it originally and we don't breed for stature so our mature cows are still about the same.

Height then easy to check when they go down a race or in a crush. In my case it also happens to coincide with the 'crossover point on my normal style of bra. I do wear overalls when measuring. I can walk up to most of them at grass and assess how they are getting on. We yard them in October about 3 weeks before we start service in November and pop them through the race to put collars on and a magnet down the throat so they have a final check then.

I know someone else who has a long horizontal line painted on one of the buildings and they walk the heifers along it to check big enough to serve.

There you go, found a good article

https://xlvets-farm.co.uk/sites/xlfarmpublic.co.uk/files/sa-site/press-articles/01._Livestock_-_MarchApril.pdf

 

[Rossymons]

I had a squeegee stick with dry cow tape on it. Just walk behind them when they're feeding or in the coral together. different colours meant different targets.

Rearing heifers wasn't my strong point due to infrastructure and other constraints. But my job now has really highlighted to my eyes 2 things...

1)just feed them like hell to yearlings. You're going to struggle to make them fat as yearlings and every kilo of growth now is probably worth 2 when you're wanting to serve them.

2)there is a small fortune to be made at getting them at the right at the right time.

You're probably thinking "ooo, she is maybe a bit small" but you are changing and challenging yourself as you try to find your new normal. But if they're bulling strong that's their way of telling you they're ready.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

I only weigh band calves, if your focused on hitting growth rates birth to weaning. The rest just kind of follows.

I've found bands, or at least the one I have weighs light compared to a scale. Doesn't matter however, as it's growth rates I'm after and as long as the same method is used throughout it's accurate.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Yes, other than the check for service height, we just belly band a couple of times before and around weaning. I agree with the grow like hell in year 1. Best investment you can make.

 

[Stuart1]

I’ve a line sprayed across the wall at 51 Inches. When they reach it they get served. I used to weigh band them but it was becoming more awkward, a line on the wall is idiot proof.

 

[lazy farmer]

I’ve a line sprayed across the wall at 51 Inches. When they reach it they get served. I used to weigh band them but it was becoming more awkward, a line on the wall is idiot proof.

Blimey. I’d never get to serve some of mine !

 

[Stuart1]

Blimey. I’d never get to serve some of mine !

Get stiletto’s on them

 

[More to life]

I’ve a line sprayed across the wall at 51 Inches. When they reach it they get served. I used to weigh band them but it was becoming more awkward, a line on the wall is idiot proof.

Are you hitting that at 13 months ?

 

[Stuart1]

Are you hitting that at 13 months ?

Serving between 13-16 months.