Higher losses before weaning for lighter birth weight calves!

[Okotoks]

An interesting study that showed a higher mortality before weaning for lighter birth weight calves!

http://angus.media/News/Angus-Convention/547/Smaller-Isnt-Always-Better  (pop)

 

[RyanChandler]

Ha! Wonder if they took into account all the big birthweight calves that died before ever getting more than their muzzle out!?

"The majority of respondents considered birthweights over 90lbs to be excessive." I would certainly agree.

 

[Simmgal]

Ha! Wonder if they took into account all the big birthweight calves that died before ever getting more than their muzzle out!?

"The majority of respondents considered birthweights over 90lbs to be excessive." I would certainly agree.

Interesting read and interesting point! (pop)

 

[cowboy_nyk]

The point to take away form all of this is that any extreme is not helpful.  Birthweights need to be moderated but they don't need to keep going lower.  Any cow that can't easily have an 80-85lb calf should have been hamburger. Big dead calves don't make you money and neither do sickly little runts.

 

[Gargan]

The point to take away form all of this is that any extreme is not helpful.  Birthweights need to be moderated but they don't need to keep going lower.  Any cow that can't easily have an 80-85lb calf should have been hamburger. Big dead calves don't make you money and neither do sickly little runts.

(clapping)

 

[Simmgal]

The point to take away form all of this is that any extreme is not helpful.  Birthweights need to be moderated but they don't need to keep going lower.  Any cow that can't easily have an 80-85lb calf should have been hamburger. Big dead calves don't make you money and neither do sickly little runts.

(clapping)

X3  <beer>

 

[Mark H]

Beyond extreme birth weight calves at both  ends of the spectrum causing weak calves from either calving problems or small size another requirement for a calving ease bull frequently forgot about is consistency in birth weight.  Where I was at customers generally wanted their birth weights for heifers yo fit into a 90 to 80 LB box. The problems from lighter calves do not stop at calving time.  They tend to have reduced performance though their lives resulting in lower profit potential. Bigger calves require higher levels of management making them hard to live to with.  If a bull puts out both types of calves it is the worst of both worlds making predictable performance a valued trait.

 

[RyanChandler]

I'd certainly agree with that. Predictable one way or the other sure beats a erratic all over the board.  It's the bulls who have you some acceptable mid 70 pounder's and then go on a cow killing spree throwing a string of 100+Lbers that'll really co$t ya! 

 

[cowboy_nyk]

Great point Mark and XBAR.  Much easier to manage any and all calving related issues if you know what you are expecting.