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New Mexico | Depends on the winter.
Depends on the cattle genetics too ( much smaller factor than weather though ).
Depends on the folks running / managing the cows.
Some people have alot better FEEL for cattle needs during times of extreme ambient weather conditions than others.
Folks who KNOW how to feed in tough weather generally have alot better luck than those who eventually learn.
Seems to me like Your running at 93% now...not bad, ALL things considered for this past winter. Heck you've had 3 in a row down now...so the rest should stay lucky.
One thing: On the backwards calf and the 2 deads this morning...
ARE those cows all related? Are they all out of the same bull?
on the 2 dead calves....we're they licked off ( sack OFF their head )?
DID the calves get up, or try to? If the bottom skin on that fresh hoof is not broken...then they did not.
If the afore 3 are all related...then you've just found a common thread.
Since You'll likely cull em...should be 3 less problems next year too.
On Bulls used last year....ARE your birthweights consistent?
Some bulls throw 20 or 30 normal size calves ....then BOOM ...a couple three that are to big ...thus longer birth time...and born dead.
Have seen inconsistent BW bulls with a 60 lb variation in BW on the afore....a bunch of 80 to 85 lb calves, then a couple three 115 to 140 pounders.
If you notice that...get rid of that bull...cause it'll happen next year too.
Also on large size calves ( mostly 90 lbs and up ) many of those are born rather dead headed and lack the quicker Get Up and Suck factor times. Born in tough weather some of those die...never do get up.
Edited by Markwright 3/28/2010 18:59
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% OF CALF LOSS EXPECTED
