Easy calving Breeds

[grassfarmer]

Good post Mr Wilson, I'm quite happy to work in a breed without the EPD culture - too many folks breeding paper cattle.

We had 18 heifers calf this spring, one was a year early and I gave it a light pull to help her out (60 lb calf out of an 850lb dam) as we were heading out to a function. I think I saw two of the others calves hit the ground, the rest were there in the morning, up, washed and fed. We did have at least two backwards calves among the cows this year, saw them both with hind legs clearly showing but they were up and suckled an hour later. Same with the twins - it's great that the less we interfere with nature the better she performs.

[smcgrath76]

I agree with some of your assessment CSW. Breeders screwed up good cattle long before EPD came along, and I am sure we will continue to do so into the forseeable future. I often wonder if it is simply human nature to always have the biggest. I agree wholeheartedly that some is often enough, and a lot is often too much. I don't think we can blame the EPD for the action of the user. That is kind of like blaming Ford Motor Company for impaired drivers. BALANCE. Too often breeders do not use EPD to maintain where they are at.
EPD do describe genetic differences better than raw phenotypes. The danger is that they also provide a tool to screw up faster if used improperly. It's kind of like the impaired driver in a Ferrari instead of the old farm truck, but in the right hands (with the right direction) it is an awfully good thing.

[smcgrath76]

GF - most breeds have estimated this from their own data. I will do some digging in my files here for some more detail.
SM

[cswilson]

Had a heifer get in the bush with a leg and a head out last summer-went out with a rifle to fix the problem when I got home but she'd had the calf on her own-ten pounds less birthweight gives you some leeway on a malpresentation for sure.

[kpb]

I don't have anything worthwhile to add to this topic except one thing. Grassfarmer mentioned Salers a few posts back. This breed seems to be struggling to make a lasting impression in Canada but I will say one thing for them, based on my experience,--you can't kill a Salers calf with a post. I mean they may not be the biggest newborns in the world but they sure are tough. I don't run any purebreds of any breed--I like the baldies the best cuz they're tough too. But I calved out some Salers calves several years ago in the worst weather you'll see and they lived like stink.


kpb

[grassfarmer]

kpb, That's a negative comment about not being able to kill Saler calves with a post - After last years cow attack I will only work with types that you can at least stun with a post!
It's surprising how perceptive cows are - I'd never been afraid of cows before but now I must have a slight, but unintentional hesitation when approaching new calved cows and some of them know it! Now I understand why some of the young workers we had in Scotland seemed to get picked on by certain cows that never bothered me - the cows must detect a slight fear in a person.

[cswilson]

If Saler could of got the disposition thing figured out they would of become a big player-they are great footed cattle also. Not all of them are wild but the bad ones are BAD ACTORS-the few breeders that are left have done a pretty good job of eliminating the bad ones. When I worked for Hunt's at Endiang we had some cows off Vailliant the first Saler import-they'd darn sure chase you down a gopher hole.

[coppertop]

Protective mamas come in various breeds, usually those calves never become lunch for a coyote !!!

[ALLFARMER]

Thanks guys!!

Sorry I couldn't get back sooner 6000km's/week cuts into my spare time.

[coppertop]

And I thought I put on miles !! Easy to see why you need easy calving bulls/females and most importantly why you need a GOOD WIFE !!!!