Marbling, maternal cows work
Date: Mar 07 2015
Calving & EPDs & News ReleaseSome say that’s the origin of the popular “urban legend” in the Angus breed: high marbling potential is for “terminal” cattle, because they don’t make good mamas.
Category: Calving
Getting ahead of chills
Date: Feb 16 2015
Blog & CalvingWarm milk keeps the chill away fine, but the first few hours can be critical.A month ago, I saw the February calving date approaching and thought about all the times I’d seen heifers decide on just the wrong place for the wind and weather, despite ample shelter.
Calving great expectations
Date: Feb 13 2013
Blog & Calving & StockmanshipChecking heifers Monday night, I wondered how deep I’ll have to cull–at least five of these 25 won’t get to graze the cool-season pastures.
Self-selected culls
Date: Mar 09 2012
Blog & CalvingOn the last day of February, I made a passing remark that it was funny we had no calves on Leap Day; funny strange.
The calves are here…
Date: Feb 04 2012
Blog & CalvingSome years, the schedule said it shouldn’t work. AI calves due Feb. 8 could arrive a week early, so I often had family or friends look in on the heifers at night while my Pioneer Woman checked them each morning.
Left glove, please!
Date: Oct 20 2011
Blog & CalvingAs you look at the cowherd this fall and find out which cows are open, and which cows had sorry calves, or which bulls didn’t perform up to expectations, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate where you are.
Sorting to an end
Date: Apr 12 2011
Blog & CalvingHey fellow seekers, It is so exciting when the first calves start arriving in late winter, but I must say I get a little impatient to be done with that window 60 days later. Preg checking lets us identify a few late-bred cows that already have a strike or two against them to sell before calving season begins. […]
You had to be there
Date: Mar 15 2011
Blog & CalvingCalving can be a real adventure sometimes. We can take precautions and review best practices or even past Black Ink columns. Read more about Steve’s calving adventures from his Angus herd.
Male and female He made them
Date: Mar 04 2011
Blog & CalvingHey fellow seekers, When I think about why we make use of AI, I know it is all for the heifers. So why can’t all of these AI-sired calves be heifers? Why not at least half? Or even 40%?? I tried sexed semen a few years ago but did not get enough of a boost […]