Checking heifers 10.4.09

[RBT]

Went north to check the bred heifers today. There's still some green cheat grass so will leave them for another week or so before we bring them home. They seem in pretty good condition and we're happy with how they look. What do you think? B retty:

 

[Denny]

I like them.

 

[PureCountry]

They're still in real good condition, but you can tell by the dullness of their hair coat they're starting to lack energy and goodies. I'm sure another week won't hurt them though. What are they going on once you take them home?

 

[RSL]

Do you have a lot of cheatgrass? Does it take over in your country?

 

[per]

Yep they look in good shape. Maybe a few weeks in that corn field would be good. :wink: Tell us a bit more about cheat grass. Do I assume it is undesirable?

 

[Justin]

they are eating the cheatgrass? how can that be green yet? maybe your cheatgrass if different than what i call cheatgrass :???: :?

 

[RBT]

Yep they look in good shape. Maybe a few weeks in that corn field would be good. :wink: Tell us a bit more about cheat grass. Do I assume it is undesirable?

What we call cheat grass comes on early in the Spring before the native grasses get started, and heads out early. Then it starts growing again in the Fall when the weather cools off. Not much value to it. I've also heard it called Downy Brome or Wild Oats, but most people around here call it cheatgrass. RBT

 

[Faster horses]

Cattle will eat cheatgrass when it's green and young. That's about the only time tho.

I think, from the photo of the last heifer, they are starting to slip
a bit. Not that they are hurting, but you can see her backbone. I'd call
her a condition score of 4.5; the rest are 5's at least.

We must remember that we are usually 90 days behind; what they
get now will show up 90 days from now. FWIW.

I like the heifers, BTW.

 

[Justin]

Yep they look in good shape. Maybe a few weeks in that corn field would be good. :wink: Tell us a bit more about cheat grass. Do I assume it is undesirable?

What we call cheat grass comes on early in the Spring before the native grasses get started, and heads out early. Then it starts growing again in the Fall when the weather cools off. Not much value to it. I've also heard it called Downy Brome or Wild Oats, but most people around here call it cheatgrass. RBT

i think we are talking about the same cheatgrass. i know cows will eat it early in the spring, but i have never noticed much of it in the fall, but i'm sure its there.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Yep they look in good shape. Maybe a few weeks in that corn field would be good. :wink: Tell us a bit more about cheat grass. Do I assume it is undesirable?

What we call cheat grass comes on early in the Spring before the native grasses get started, and heads out early. Then it starts growing again in the Fall when the weather cools off. Not much value to it. I've also heard it called Downy Brome or Wild Oats, but most people around here call it cheatgrass. RBT

i think we are talking about the same cheatgrass. i know cows will eat it early in the spring, but i have never noticed much of it in the fall, but i'm sure its there.

How long since you had a fall green up? :shock:

 

[WyomingRancher]

Maybe it's my computer screen, but I don't think they look thin or like they're slipping at all. The last heifer is also pictured in the first pic, and she sure looks good in it .

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's my computer screen, but I don't think they look thin or like they're slipping at all. The last heifer is also pictured in the first pic, and she sure looks good in it .

Yep- I agree...Won't be long and my heifers are going to be wishing they could find that much to eat- or even see something green....But they have to learn to eat old dry crested wheat grass- or go hungry.....

 

[Faster horses]

I have learned the proper way to condition score cattle is by their backbone, not by their belly.
In the first photo you can't see her backbone, only her belly.

A condition score of 6 is flat-backed. 5 is ok, but less isn't desirable.
That's why if you get cattle in a body conditon score of 6 going into
the winter, if they lose a conditon score during the winter they
will be in a body conditon score of 5 in the spring when they calve--
which is very acceptable. 80 lbs. is one conditon score.

FWIW...

And I do realize that if all the other heifers are a conditon score of
5 and one is lower, that could/should indicate she is not as easy
a keeper as the others.

 

[RBT]

What we call cheat grass comes on early in the Spring before the native grasses get started, and heads out early. Then it starts growing again in the Fall when the weather cools off. Not much value to it. I've also heard it called Downy Brome or Wild Oats, but most people around here call it cheatgrass. RBT

i think we are talking about the same cheatgrass. i know cows will eat it early in the spring, but i have never noticed much of it in the fall, but i'm sure its there.

How long since you had a fall green up? :shock:

It's been a long time BMR, but we have had excellent moisture all summer and the same so far this fall. I haven't seen this country look this good for a long time! Our cows and heifers will run on cornstalks this winter. There is usually some corn left in the fields after they get done picking it so if the weather doesn't get too bad they will gain weight and condition score during the winter. RBT

 

[leanin' H]

Nice heifers! Out here the cheat grass greens up a little every fall. More like regrowth at the base of each plant. We graze it a lot before it turns in the summer. Then the cows won't touch it. I've seen deer grub a patch a fall cheat grass right to the dirt, they like it so well.