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Post by dw on Jul 12, 2019 12:26:53 GMT -6
Why does the stockyards dock calves with rat tails? We have some Simmental X cows and we always have 6-8 rat tail calves. It doesn’t hurt us per say, since we sell with Superior, but the local stock yard will sure dock some cash off one. Maybe it’s just in my neck of the woods??
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Post by M-5 on Jul 12, 2019 12:56:28 GMT -6
I've seen the same thing here. I have raised a few heifers that calved and raised good calves. Did not pass it on to the off spring. Never kept any off of them to see when it showed back up. The RT were always off the char x cows with Angus bull.
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Post by hook on Jul 12, 2019 13:07:24 GMT -6
Hmm, the rat tail we had was char x brangus
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Post by randy on Jul 12, 2019 13:46:56 GMT -6
Almost always has to be a little simi in the background somewhere. Not to many lines of Chars with the rat gene left.
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Post by deepsouth on Jul 12, 2019 14:16:40 GMT -6
I have a cousin who ships yearlings yo a feed lot in Kanasas. He had some Char bulls on Angus cows. He would get some rt's. He said they docked him for them. He asked why and was told 6 out of 10 would die. He didn't really believe that. I don't either. I figured it was just an excuse to dock some.
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Post by the illustrious potentate on Jul 12, 2019 15:21:06 GMT -6
Supposed to be an issue with regulation of temperature which will affect gain.
I'd imagine there is an increased risk in feedlot where cattle are stressed, but I agree that 60% mortality isn't accurate.
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Post by alacowman on Jul 12, 2019 15:21:50 GMT -6
Depends on wherethe feedlots located , but rats don't hair up enough to perform well on the feedlot in cold climates..this is the first year I haven't had one out of some of my old simm x cows. But.they do as well on momma as the rest.
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Post by 3LT Farms on Jul 12, 2019 15:30:49 GMT -6
Good to see you here Alacowman!
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Post by alacowman on Jul 12, 2019 15:52:23 GMT -6
Thanks..
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Post by 3LT Farms on Jul 12, 2019 15:55:48 GMT -6
Hang out for a while. Hell, go ahead and register, make yourself at home. |
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Post by ufbeef on Jul 12, 2019 17:02:51 GMT -6
One reason they dock ya is because they can. Not sure about 60% mortality, but rat tails usually didnt do nearly as well as other calves, usually saw it in Charlois cross calves. Switch/tail is also important for swatting at bugs, down here its skeeters. Instead of switching there tails, they walk to keep the skeeters off of them, burns calories, requires more feed to put weight on meaning less $.
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Post by tcranch on Jul 12, 2019 17:09:47 GMT -6
Concerns about fescue toxicity? I got docked on a calf (Stumpy) that lost part of his tail to frostbite and will sometimes get docked for frozen ears. Stumpy was just as big as the other steers but agree, they'll dock you for any little thing if they can.
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Post by jedstivers on Jul 12, 2019 18:23:12 GMT -6
They are docked because there’s not as many people bidding on them and no one will start a bid where the other calves are starting.
I won’t buy one period.
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Post by okie on Jul 12, 2019 18:31:14 GMT -6
Depends on wherethe feedlots located , but rats don't hair up enough to perform well on the feedlot in cold climates..this is the first year I haven't had one out of some of my old simm x cows. But.they do as well on momma as the rest. I'm not a simi fan so I haven't produced many rat tails but if you notice they don't seem to take as much of a hit from fall calving herds, which lends credence to the hair being a problem as they'd be harvested before hair became to much of an issue. |
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Post by elkwc on Jul 16, 2019 12:15:13 GMT -6
Buyers will use anything they can to get a bargain. Whether it be rat tail, color, either single or small groups. There are traders that feast on small producers and those with limited options on where they sell. I have been around auctions most of my life in various roles. At some sales the traders form an alliance and won't bid against each other. We consider all options when marketing an animal.
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