• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Tagging Calves

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
Finding my first pair of the day to tag and turn out :) . I take them to the corrals, and try to separate them using one of the three gates I take them through.

Calving2009064.jpg


Probably not what the folks at Clinique had in mind for this bag. It holds all my tagging supplies, and has never been misplaced :lol: . Also, if a cow gets cranky, I can blind her with it :shock: .
Calving2009066.jpg


I tag, give a shot of 7-way, and band the bulls calves wearing smurf-like blue gloves :lol: .
Calving2009067.jpg


Calving2009068.jpg


I turn them out the gate, directly into the pasture they'll be in for now. It has loads of shelter in it.
Calving2009069.jpg


Calves shading up today :D . The weather is supposed to change back to winter this weekend though.
Calving2009077.jpg


Calving2009079.jpg


Calving2009081.jpg


Calving2009082.jpg
 

RSL

Well-known member
Nice calves. It looks like you are having pretty nice days in Wyoming.

We gave up on tagging at birth. Time and danger were the main factors. Now calves are tagged individually in the order they go up the chute at branding, but we do pull DNA on them during regular fall processing and can match sire and dam that way.
 

Nicky

Well-known member
RSL said:
Nice calves. It looks like you are having pretty nice days in Wyoming.

We gave up on tagging at birth. Time and danger were the main factors. Now calves are tagged individually in the order they go up the chute at branding, but we do pull DNA on them during regular fall processing and can match sire and dam that way.

Danger?
 

High Plains

Well-known member
RSL said:
Nice calves. It looks like you are having pretty nice days in Wyoming.

We gave up on tagging at birth. Time and danger were the main factors. Now calves are tagged individually in the order they go up the chute at branding, but we do pull DNA on them during regular fall processing and can match sire and dam that way.

At $25 a pop, it seems that few would be able to justify the DNA test. That's the quote I got from Igenity today. Oh, I'm not saying it's not worth it to know which bulls are getting good results. I do wonder how many ranchers could be convinced. I'm intruiged to hear more of your philosophy.

HP
 

RSL

Well-known member
Danger. We calve on grass. Try getting off your horse to grab a new calf and face the wrath of momma. :shock: This is not a good type of cow if you calve in a corral, but great if you calve out in the boonies. Our cows will even form rings around coyotes and take them out.
Philosophy - as long as DNA testing is fast and cheap it is a tradeoff with labour and time. So far we have done all of our testing as part of a research project but are figuring around $15. We will continue to do our replacement heifers and cattle that we are considering keeping as replacements for sure, and potentially feeder calves if I can figure out a way to obtain a premium.
We had a wreck with a few calves last spring and were concerned that they were from our new (and expensive) herdsire. DNA put our minds at ease (none of the calves were from him) and saved us a few thousand on a replacement bull.
 

leanin' H

Well-known member
It can get western tagging a calf while momma trys to stopm ya into goo! :shock: When we get an old sister who won't play fair on the desert we rope the calf and then a buddy heels his mother while roper #1 gets off and tags and bands. As long as your pard stays your pard and doesn't hold a grudge over the poker money ya owe him, it works great! :wink: Hope your calves grow into soggy feeders WyRnchr! The scenery on your place is beautiful. Thanks!
 

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
Good lookin calves,why the blue gloves ? I thought you were a genuine calving girl that enjoyed mud,blood and cow manure :D :D :D

good luck

PS Good job on the taggin and thanks for the picture story :wink:
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
HAY MAKER said:
Good lookin calves,why the blue gloves ? I thought you were a genuine calving girl that enjoyed mud,blood and cow manure :D :D :D

good luck

PS Good job on the taggin and thanks for the picture story :wink:


I was wondering about the gloves also........??????

I couldn't hold onto the calves with gloves on I'd think.



I tag about the same way a WY Rancher.....get a panel/gate or the like between me and Momma Cow.

I've been WHAMMED too many times by pizzed off Momma Cows...I've learned to work smarter not harder.
 

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
They're just disposable examination gloves. They keep my hands cleaner, and prevent any nicks on my hands from coming into contact with dirty stuff they shouldn't. I also slip them over OB sleeves so that I have actual fingers and not just plastic globs on my hands when pulling a calf :D . Kola, they don't affect my grip at all.

If I have a really nasty cow, I'll shoot her with my tranquilizing pistol. She goes to sleep...I tag the calf...we're all happy and safe :lol: . Since I'm mostly doing this alone, I really can't take a chance, and there are times I have done risky stuff, and have been LUCKY! I've tried to cull the really bad ones and select for good disposition.

RSL is right though, when they calve outside, they are more protective. I missed one who calved out yesterday, and didn't want to try and tag it outside. I trailed it to the corral instead.
 

Latest posts

Top