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After the Storm

randiliana

Well-known member
We had a bit nicer day here today, than yesterday. Fortunately the temps stayed right around freezing so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Had 3 calves born during the storm, but kept about 8 in the barn for the night.

Here's some pictures from this morning.
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We kicked about 40 pair out on Monday, before the storm hit. Just had too many in the newborn area and we were going to start running into sick calves or something was going to get stepped on. Since our other calf shelter is frozen into a snowbank, we had to make do with what we had...
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We set a bale on end inside, so it wouldn't all just get wet and tramped into the ground
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Worked great, the calves just crawl through and they are safe and clean and as dry as possible
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This was almost all bare ground with a big water puddle down there. There was no ice either...
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Feeding time
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Babies don't look to much worse for the wear...All these calves are between a week and 3 weeks old...
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This one's about 6 weeks old
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George

Well-known member
I had plans to start calving about a week ago but the bull kept geting with them early so I'm all but done. I guess he did me a favor as so far I have great calves and the weather has been good for each of them.

I feel this has been a fluke so I still plan on introducing the bull on 10 June for mid March calves - - - for this area of the country having mid March to April calves works great. Cows still eating hay when they freshen so they don't blow out their bags and as the calves need more milk the grass comes right at the correct time.

Last years calves were all from 20 March till the end of April and they averaged 610 the third week of Oct with no creap. But then I have way more pasture than I need for the cows I have so they have no excuse for anything but growth.

I wish I could replicate about 5 years ago when I had so many twins and they all did great. I had a 140% calf crop that year and have not had a twin since. I guess it must have been the bull but he is long gone now.
 

aspen

Active member
I wish I could replicate about 5 years ago when I had so many twins and they all did great. I had a 140% calf crop that year and have not had a twin since. I guess it must have been the bull but he is long gone now.
That wouldn't have been the bull that bred the cows, but the genetics in the cows. If they were from one sire that had twinning genetics, they would have been more likely to release two eggs and have twins. Nutrition has a lot to do with it too. More twins with better nutrition when they are bred.
We still have hip deep snow here too and more coming the next couple of days. We need the moisture to fill the dugouts and get us out of drought conditions, but I am more than ready for spring!!
 

randiliana

Well-known member
Glad everyone is enjoying the photos. The calves all seem to have made out well through the storm. Wish it would warm up though, and melt all this new stuff. Supposed to stay pretty cool here for the next little while, and more snow!
 
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