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Calving Kickoff 2011

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
Calving has started, and so far, so good :wink: :D .

Casey helping me sort heavies.
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The yearlings are in with the heavies, and it's been great practice for them sorting :wink: .
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The cows know the routine, so I just let them ease on by for the most part.
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Sometimes they need a little encouragement :D .
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The yearlings and not-so-heavies turned back out.
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I Scourguard the heavy cows as I sort them into the calving lot.
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A heifer in labor.
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As soon as they've dried off and nursed, they get tagged and turned out :wink:
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My beverage of choice during calving :D .
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Faster horses

Well-known member
Thanks for the pictures, WR. Looks like you have a well-organized
outfit. Cows and calves look terrific. You are certainly lucky this
year to have bare ground to turn out on.

:tiphat:
 

cure

Well-known member
Calves look good. I wish my ground looked as dry as yours. You must be a light weight to run hard on Mt Dew I had to switch to 5 hour energy during calving season now I drink Mt Dew to calm down and to get some sleep. How the weather stays good for you the weather said we are suppose to get around 1 to 3 feet this weekend down here :( :(
 

gcreekrch

Well-known member
Cattle are doing well WR. You still couldn't talk me into calving this early again regardless of how the ground looks today. :wink:

Those that are calving here are dealing with -20 to -30 C temps with a 15-25 mph wind. Not forecast to warm up in the near future either. There will be more than a few short eared calves around this year.
 

George

Well-known member
I think that is my favorite set of pictures I have seen.

Sending you nothing but the best wishes!

I hope if you get some bad weather you have enough room to hold the new borns out of the wind for 12 to 24 hours. I feel after that in most cases they are best out.

I have a small enough herd I could keep them all in if needed but feel that is just inviting trouble. Nothing kills bad bugs like a good healthy dose of sun and space to lay down where it is dry and sunny and manure free.
 

3words

Well-known member
gcreekrch said:
Cattle are doing well WR. You still couldn't talk me into calving this early again regardless of how the ground looks today. :wink:

Those that are calving here are dealing with -20 to -30 C temps with a 15-25 mph wind. Not forecast to warm up in the near future either. There will be more than a few short eared calves around this year.

With the windchill this morning,we are sitting at minus 44.It would be nice if it was warmer for calving,but i'm sure not going to complain about it.And if there getting short earred calves,then they either need to change there management skills or just plain switch to calving in the spring.I got way to much work to do in the spring,and wasting time in the spring calving cows is not a option.All you need is a good barn,and not be lazy!
 

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
Northern Rancher said:
Your pretty darn handy for a girl lol.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
You're about the only one who can get away with that comment :wink: :lol: . BTW, the 936 heifer seems to be the type that bull throws :D .

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I guess if it isn't well organized, I can't blame the dogs!
 

katrina

Well-known member
George said:
I think that is my favorite set of pictures I have seen.

Sending you nothing but the best wishes!

I hope if you get some bad weather you have enough room to hold the new borns out of the wind for 12 to 24 hours. I feel after that in most cases they are best out.

I have a small enough herd I could keep them all in if needed but feel that is just inviting trouble. Nothing kills bad bugs like a good healthy dose of sun and space to lay down where it is dry and sunny and manure free.

:agree:
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
I forgot to mention the dog. NICE DOG!!
Where did you get him?

Dogs are especially nice if you have to work alone. We don't understand
how people who work alone, or with only one other person, can do
it without a dog. It sure makes life simpler. OOPS, I should say a
GOOD dog. Sorry ones just screw things up and make more work!!
 

hillsdown

Well-known member
Looking really good WR, I hope calving continues to go smoothly for you. :D

Weather has been more of a challenge this year for me than ever before, a little over 2/3rds through now . Have gone through alot of "toques" though and even then I am going to have at least 3 short on ear . :roll:
 

3words

Well-known member
Northern Rancher said:
Or calve cows in the spring that you don't need to babysit!

That's why i have a camera system,there isn't a cow i can't check on the farm day or night,or out in the field when they are eatting,from the comfort of a warm house.Sorry NR spring calving is just not an option for me,plus i'm one of those guys come fall,that likes to see how many calves are over 800 lbs right off the pasture.
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
800#!! :shock: How old are they at that point? Quite a bit more
than 205 days, I'm thinking.

Have you ever figured how much they gain per head per day?
That's always interesting. I used to do that...tells quite a story.
You can really see what each cow is producing.
 

3words

Well-known member
Nice pictures Wyoming Rancher,i always like to see how other people do things,and see if i can't improve my operation better.
 

3words

Well-known member
Faster horses said:
800#!! :shock: How old are they at that point? Quite a bit more
than 205 days, I'm thinking.

Have you ever figured how much they gain per head per day?
That's always interesting. I used to do that...tells quite a story.
You can really see what each cow is producing.

Most years they are in that 240 to 250 days at weaning,depending on how combining is going.No creep feed,just good old mama's milk and grass.I don't give anything grain.Had 1 steer calf last fall weigh in at 1027 lb,right out of the pasture,that was the first calf ever over 1000 lbs.Majority of my cows are weighing in that 1300 pound range,so these cows are earning there keep.
 

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
Faster horses said:
I forgot to mention the dog. NICE DOG!!
Where did you get him?

Dogs are especially nice if you have to work alone. We don't understand
how people who work alone, or with only one other person, can do
it without a dog. It sure makes life simpler. OOPS, I should say a
GOOD dog. Sorry ones just screw things up and make more work!!

Thanks FH, I really have enjoyed this dog... the sun rises and sets on her, and she knows it :lol: . Unfortunately she's 11 this spring, and is showing her age. However, she's still up for small jobs, and is the type who works slow and easy, never upsetting cattle. I'm careful not to put her in bad spots since her reactions are just a touch slower than they used to be. My other dog is another story! Let's just say she's more suitable on yearlings and older pairs :wink: :D . Casey came from Jim and Patti Chant in Baggs, WY.

Like you, I can't understand not working with a dog. I MUCH prefer working without people, just dogs. My new pup arrives in two weeks, and it's going to be fun to see how he turns out! :D. I wish I could clone Casey though :wink: .
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
We have always preferred females. They are easier to teach, we
think and are very loyal. No running off, etc.

Be sure and take some pictures of your new pup. Is it a
border collie?
 
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