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Post by highgrit on Jun 30, 2019 17:34:14 GMT -6
We're out of grass and needing to cut our numbers down some more. The story is we've culled most of the older cows and the one's that are known under producers already, so where do we start culling cows that we'd like to keep? I sure wish we'd of kept better records on our calf weights and average dollars per pound .
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Post by randy on Jun 30, 2019 17:47:26 GMT -6
Thats a tough spot Grit. I guess i would just have to take a look at what ones were still in the best condition while still raising a calf.
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Post by 11111 on Jun 30, 2019 18:15:36 GMT -6
That’s where I would have started. Who weans off the poorest calves.
Do you have records of those you’ve retained? Maybe start at feet? Anyone lose a calf or later than you’d like for calving? Be a good opportunity to tighten up your calving window.
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Post by talltimber on Jul 1, 2019 9:09:51 GMT -6
That’s not a desirable position to be in. I hate it for you to have to choose.
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Post by dw on Jul 1, 2019 15:12:15 GMT -6
If I didn’t have records and specific cow number with gains, bred dates etc. I’d start with udders first, look at attachment, test size. Second I’d look at the feet, screw claw, corns, and if they possibly don’t walk right, maybe hip or joint problems. Third, look at teeth, any spacing, concave form, not flat, no “kernel” teeth. Fourth, body size and condition, can that 900-1000lb frame cow make the same weaned calf as that 1200-1400 lb frame cow? Look at depth, post leggedness, easy keeping, cattle. And last and probably most important in reality, easy handling cows, if you can’t keep them up or catch them to herdwork them. They ain’t no count anyway. Lol good luck, maybe this will help.
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Post by highgrit on Jul 1, 2019 15:34:11 GMT -6
If I didn’t have records and specific cow number with gains, bred dates etc. I’d start with udders first, look at attachment, test size. Second I’d look at the feet, screw claw, corns, and if they possibly don’t walk right, maybe hip or joint problems. Third, look at teeth, any spacing, concave form, not flat, no “kernel” teeth. Fourth, body size and condition, can that 900-1000lb frame cow make the same weaned calf as that 1200-1400 lb frame cow? Look at depth, post leggedness, easy keeping, cattle. And last and probably most important in reality, easy handling cows, if you can’t keep them up or catch them to herdwork them. They ain’t no count anyway. Lol good luck, maybe this will help. I cull for everything that you mentioned besides teeth I've never looked at my cows teeth. I have a heifer that's jumped out of my catch pen twice now on sale day. She's easy to work in the chute and you can walk right up to her in the pasture just wild as heck in the pen. My crazy azz wife wants to feed them hay that we made last week. I told her that might be our only cutting for the year. |
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Post by fence on Jul 1, 2019 16:09:13 GMT -6
Just getting to be summer. To be short on moisture and grass right now is a real bad place to be in. In my personal experience.
You got any row cropping near by. Bargaining for crop reisedue has saved me many of times. Milo regrowth can be excellent hay, Milo stalks can be fair. Corn residue or fodder makes fair feed.Run the baler right behind the combine to pick up shucks, and leaves, leaves most of stalks behind. You just gotta find someone to let you do it. You'll have to supplement of course. If I was in your position, and I was last year. I would already be trying to make arrangements.
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Post by JMJ on Jul 1, 2019 19:29:14 GMT -6
Grit I can probably help you come up with some hay if it will help you out. Not sure if that’s the right solution but I will be glad to try if you think it will buy you some time.
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Post by highgrit on Jul 1, 2019 19:33:04 GMT -6
Not much available around here besides maybe some peanut hay. I'm not convinced that peanut hay is worth $20 plus my cost to bale it. If the price of calves go up I'll wish I fed through the drought otherwise selling most likely is the best route . I heard a lot of thunder 2 different times today, at least someone got a nice rain. I quit looking at the radar it makes me feel like I got kicked in the nuts.
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Post by JMJ on Jul 1, 2019 19:37:15 GMT -6
IMO the peanut hay is definitely worth $20 plus cost of baling. IF, IF, IF it’s irrigated peanuts. Dryland peanuts in a dry year won’t be near the same quality. But dryland peanuts are still worth $5-$10 plus baling.
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Post by dw on Jul 1, 2019 19:44:55 GMT -6
Not much available around here besides maybe some peanut hay. I'm not convinced that peanut hay is worth $20 plus my cost to bale it. If the price of calves go up I'll wish I fed through the drought otherwise selling most likely is the best route . I heard a lot of thunder 2 different times today, at least someone got a nice rain. I quit looking at the radar it makes me feel like I got kicked in the nuts. Maybe you’ll get some rain soon, be thinking about y’all. Just always remember, A good Bible and a good Banker will get you through most anything in farming. |
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Post by highgrit on Jul 1, 2019 19:46:41 GMT -6
Grit I can probably help you come up with some hay if it will help you out. Not sure if that’s the right solution but I will be glad to try if you think it will buy you some time. Thanks Michael, I have 150 rolls from my first cutting but I'm not sure if I should feed it or hold it. I need to call the fellow that has the peanuts close by and see if he'll sell me the fodder for hay this year. I'm just chasing my tail hoping for a rain or two. Your not supposed to feed hay in the summer . We saw Brody and Rita at Buckner's restaurant in Griffin yesterday and she said her mom had a massive heart attack. Do you know if she made it through this ordeal? John and that family has sure had it tough. |
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Post by highgrit on Jul 1, 2019 19:53:16 GMT -6
IMO the peanut hay is definitely worth $20 plus cost of baling. IF, IF, IF it’s irrigated peanuts. Dryland peanuts in a dry year won’t be near the same quality. But dryland peanuts are still worth $5-$10 plus baling. The peanuts are under a pivot. I'm not sure how much there watering though. What size roll do the farmers normally charge $20 for? |
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Post by JMJ on Jul 2, 2019 5:23:44 GMT -6
IMO the peanut hay is definitely worth $20 plus cost of baling. IF, IF, IF it’s irrigated peanuts. Dryland peanuts in a dry year won’t be near the same quality. But dryland peanuts are still worth $5-$10 plus baling. The peanuts are under a pivot. I'm not sure how much there watering though. What size roll do the farmers normally charge $20 for? Most of the time it’s $50/roll (4x6) baled in the field. So I figured $20 for baling and $20-30 for the material. I would jump on it for $20 for the material. Other than cottonseed it’s the single best feed there is around our parts. Hate to say that Cheryl passed away last night. I haven’t talked to any of them this morning but I kinda hate to call. Hard to find the words to say. But she has had a heck of a time the last couple of years. It’s been one thing after another and her body was just worn out. They’ve all been real close friends of mine for many years and it’s been a rough road for them. |
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Post by highgrit on Jul 2, 2019 8:34:20 GMT -6
The peanuts are under a pivot. I'm not sure how much there watering though. What size roll do the farmers normally charge $20 for? Most of the time it’s $50/roll (4x6) baled in the field. So I figured $20 for baling and $20-30 for the material. I would jump on it for $20 for the material. Other than cottonseed it’s the single best feed there is around our parts. Hate to say that Cheryl passed away last night. I haven’t talked to any of them this morning but I kinda hate to call. Hard to find the words to say. But she has had a heck of a time the last couple of years. It’s been one thing after another and her body was just worn out. They’ve all been real close friends of mine for many years and it’s been a rough road for them. Hate to hear that but sorta a relief for everyone involved. |
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