In the big picture most cows start to produce less as they get some age on them? Just about any cow should be able to produce a decent calf up to at least 12 years old? I doubt there is a lot of economic sense in keeping a cow until she is fit only to feed to the coyotes?
If you have to cull for udders or feet or disposition, you need to go back to see what you were doing wrong in your breeding program. A good long term cowherd shouldn't have these problems, unless you are selecting for bad traits?
Perhaps a lot of young first/second calvers are culled because they didn't fit into some tight breeding program that some "expert" told you was the way to go. I agree with cwilson that when you put some pressure on them you are going to get some opens? If you aren't pushing the window you aren't maxxing your profit opportunity? I never get bent out of shape if a young cow comes in a bit late...usually she catches up within a year or two!
The whole concept of a nice uniform calf crop is nice to see but not neccessarily the most profitable? If you sell the whole works right off the cow you are going to take a beating on that little calf, but if you feed him out you'll do okay. A decent presort sale takes a lot of this screwing you out of the market?
Jerryk: There is really no excuse for having calves not dehorned or cut and without a doubt the buyers will make you pay dearly. Probably a lot more than what is fair, but then no one holds a gun to your head and forces you to sell bulls or calves with horns?
If you have to cull for udders or feet or disposition, you need to go back to see what you were doing wrong in your breeding program. A good long term cowherd shouldn't have these problems, unless you are selecting for bad traits?
Perhaps a lot of young first/second calvers are culled because they didn't fit into some tight breeding program that some "expert" told you was the way to go. I agree with cwilson that when you put some pressure on them you are going to get some opens? If you aren't pushing the window you aren't maxxing your profit opportunity? I never get bent out of shape if a young cow comes in a bit late...usually she catches up within a year or two!
The whole concept of a nice uniform calf crop is nice to see but not neccessarily the most profitable? If you sell the whole works right off the cow you are going to take a beating on that little calf, but if you feed him out you'll do okay. A decent presort sale takes a lot of this screwing you out of the market?
Jerryk: There is really no excuse for having calves not dehorned or cut and without a doubt the buyers will make you pay dearly. Probably a lot more than what is fair, but then no one holds a gun to your head and forces you to sell bulls or calves with horns?
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