When to wean and how often to Vet check your herd continuance

[animalfarm]

Sorry, double post

 

[animalfarm]

My black angus do pretty well too. I culled any that couldn't keep fat and raise a calf on strictly grass; less then ideal grass at times. Calves had to fatten up as well for their mothers to be kept. I don't bother to wean them either. Same with the belties; if they couldn't do what they were originally designed for, they went to freezer camp. The genetics are still there but you have to work for it some.

 

[kfacres]

I raise Shorthorns, Durham Reds, and Maines.

We generally wean at around 5 months on most of our calves, with the exception of show calves-- which get weaned at 3 months-- that is with creep feeding.

Unless we are in a drought like this year, and we dont' creep feed-- then we wean all the bull calves at 4 months, and all the heifers before they hit 5. This is without creep.

I have a good friend in MO- raises as good of commercial cattle in the shorthorn breed-- they wean at 10 months, and his cows are fat as terds. zero grain to anything.

 

[Symphony]

Well I have some nice Maine Anjou semen in route to my local Vet. Each stick was a reasonable price.

 

[kfacres]

Well I have some nice Maine Anjou semen in route to my local Vet. Each stick was a reasonable price.

I'd fix you up with some DAMN good Red Maine stuff for $15. a straw... We're trying to get as many people to use our new herd bull as we can, to get his calves sprinkled around the country. Purebred RED Maines will paper as 3/4 Shorthorns.

I'm going back in the tank this year and breeding to Iabon, Maine bull from the 70s. direct import.

 

[boothcreek]

I know but I did say MIGHT and as usual I will pee a few off - I think if you have some real good blood in the veins then it will not be an issue and I forgot Boothcreek's Dexters on my not a problem list

You Forgot my precious Dexies?????? OMG how could you ? LOL sorry couldnt resist a second of fake drama!

Yea, i think most heritage breeds do well with weaning on their own after all they were selectevly bred a long time ago for easy keeping/sustainability. Since back then that means just 1 pasture or free range(so no seperating calves etc) and the cows should stay healthy with no supplemental feeding or other intervention other then going to slaughter. Easiest and cheapest to raise cow is the one you dont have to really deal with much at all(except for feed in the winter), a couple hundred years ago that was the main criteria for cattle .
I think most lines of production breeds today would do alright that way too, but most ranches dont select for it anymore, its just easier(cheaper?) to build another cattle proof pasture to fence off calves and wean forcefully instead of getting rid of a mother cow that sacrifices herself too much for her calf and doesnt wean it herself and trying to find a replacement animal that is better.

 

[Symphony]

Well the Cow's all look good still so I guess I could but we'll see.