Calf leg update

Well, it has been another busy day on the ranch. Thanks to all for advice on the calf with the broken leg.
Ken, my apologies if I sounded rude this morning. It's not a good excuse, but I was dead tired from being up all night, I've got a nasty cold, and I was really frustrated and let down with myself that this happened.
Anyway, here's the deal. Vet was out on emergency calls until 3:30 this afternoon. I met with the calf about 35 miles from home after his last call, and he put a cast on it. He said there was nothing I could have done different, it just happens sometimes. He said I'd be surprised how many times it happens even to vets. His thought are that it has a 90% chance of full recovery, and worst case would be that he walks stiff legged. Well, I am a beef farmer, and I eat beef, so I guess there is always a solution, if he doesn't heal well enough to sell with the rest this fall. It ended up costing $140, but to have live calf I can handle that.
I am really hoping things improve, but when I got home about an hour ago, I had another cow calfing, and dad said she had been in labor the whole time I was gone. My brother and I were able to pull this calf without a mechanical puller, but it was all he and I together could handle. Calf and cow are both doing fine now.
I don't mean to badmouth other's cattle, and I know many sewar by Angus but if this is what Angus calves are like, forget this! I'm going back to Gelbveih and that's it. Literally hadn't pulled a calf in years using Gelbveih bulls.

Good to hear the calf should recover.Angus are known to have birthing issuses.

Vito

Are your cows first time calvers? Are you breeding them to big of a bull? Depending on your answers this could answer several questions as to why you are having so many problems with calving.

(quoted from post at 16:01:08 03/20/10) I'm going back to Gelbveih and that's it. Literally hadn't pulled a calf in years using Gelbveih bulls.

Click to expand...

Don't know much or anything about cattle, but going with what works is the best solution.

Wanted to get a couple Shropshire Sheep just to keep pastures completely grazed. Shropshires because they aren't supposed to bother trees/shrubs. Out of coincidence, saw a vet documentary that was showing birthing problems with the breed. Guess I'll just spend a little quality time with the weedeater.

Good Luck,


Dave

I assume you're using epds (birth weight) in choosing your herd bulls?

try a highland bull the only time i have trouble is when calf is backwards

try a highland bull the only time i have trouble is when calf is backwards

To try and answer some questions/thoughts, yes I go by birth weights when choosing a bull. This guy was 84lb birth weight, but I guess that is too much. I know 5 of the last calves born have been over 100lbs. The one with the broken leg was 110lbs. The one with the bad leg was a first calf heifer, the other 4 are cows that have had anywhere from 4-6 calves, and I'd never pulled a calf on one of them before.
The problem on all of them is also the size and shape of the head. All of them have been able to get the legs out fine, but simply can't push the blunt shaped head out. It's like a wall coming out rather than being streamlined.
Anyway, I just checked the rest of the herd, 17 more to go, but none look real close up. I'd say middle of next week before the next calf comes. I'm really looking forward to being done with calving this year!

Only one first calf heifer out of 5 problem births, and the bull was only a yearling last year. I'd say he'd weigh 1250lbs now.

I'am in the process of switching to black Angus from Hereford. I choose by bulls by EPD's. Since changing to Angus bulls my calving difficulties have literally disappeared except for the occasional backwards calf. The calves also have much better vigor. They hit the ground running. Very rarely do I have to get one in to get it to nurse. The only drawback with the Angus is they are higher strung. But they are great protective mothers for the most part.

My cows are all cross bread, no problems.JR.FRYE

Well Thats about PAR for the Course .... Glad the calf is gonna make It (Or SHOULD ANYWAYS ) ...Calving Problems, BTDT .Back in 2003 ,WE had 4 tail Breach Birthes in 45 days in a herd of 20 mooma cows ... then I had Lot of heinze57 /Simmental /Angus Predominant , 2 were total loss,1 We butchered , 4th We had to ship as soon as possible , and gota low price , And NO calves were saved ..SOLD THE Almost pure Angus BULL ,did he cause the breach birthes Or was it the MOON ????( YOU GUYS PLEASE CHIME IN ) . Today . i am predominant Angus Cross , So far So Good , Herfords have trouble with Pinkeye , Simmental has gotten pricey here ... HANG IN THERE >>>

Just curious- is AI an option for you? I know it"s more work compared to running a bull, but with dairy cows I had an evaluator come 1-2 times per year, set parameters for number of bulls in the tank, cost for first and second choice (I did my own AI for over 20 years)...and it reduced considerably the calving problems, along with resulting in better stock and type. I know the same is available for AI beef sires, but I"m wondering if similar bull data is available by sellers for those of you who which to purchase natural service bulls for the herd, regarding the parentage stock of those that they have for sale. I realize that using one bull for both first calf and mature cows can be an issue, just like continually using smaller bulls on each subsequent generation.

M Nut
I calved 20 first calf heifers last fall bred to an Angus bull that his epd's stated he was a low birth weight bull. The calves all arrived with no problems and appeared to weigh 50-60#s. They weaned at a good weight for their mothers to be first calve heifers. Black color just brings more per lb.

Been around Angus and herford all my life and had few birth problems but they do happen. EPDs are just a guide not reliable. Look at many large families. Same ma and pa but not many same in size. birth waight or final height. EPDs are the same.