In the mid-summer newsletter, I mentioned this fall, a portion of our heifer calf crop would be the result of our intentional approach to producing “targeted” maternal genetics. The intention here is to continually improve our overall cattle quality.
Much homework was done on this operational priority, primarily because it will have such a large impact on our future success. Well… and – truth be told – because I was pretty excited to see our progress “on the ground.”
As previously described, our goal is to implement a deliberate “cross-breeding” program without negative impact to our paternal and carcass genetics. The endeavor utilizes sexed semen and targeted natural service to complement our already-heavily Angus-based cow herd and hopefully improve our overall maternal efficiency.
We weaned these calves in early September, and – knock-on-wood – we feel like we’re on the right track! Our replacement heifers are being managed to achieve approximately 65% of their mature weight at breeding – around April 1st. In the fall, once they’ve completed their weaning vaccinations and supplemental step-ups, heifers are sorted by weight and physical characteristics.
Based upon their current status, the eligible heifers resulting from our cross-breeding program that have already met eligibility requirements for selection to our Replacement Heifer population is now at ninety-four percent.
Wow.
While we acknowledge we still have a long way to go, we’re just confident enough to say the results are “so far so good!” This endeavor has been of particularly high importance to us, as it marks over sixty years-worth of research. It clearly points to the value of maternal heterosis for the commercial cattle industry; we shouldn’t turn our backs on it.
In giving various presentations and during individual conversations, I’ve often stated weaning calves in the fall is about two things: timing and consistency. Timing is when you wean, and consistency is mostly related to weather patterns.
This year, the Choctaw Nation accomplished something never done before: within a span of ten days, all our spring-born calves were weaned, and all spring calving cows had been “preg-checked”.
I can hear you now: “…so?”
Trust me, this is an important thing – with the reason tied to… yes… timing and consistency.
By starting the wean in early September and ending in mid-September, we were able to capture a more-uniformly managed calf going to pre-conditioning, as well as benefit from the more-consistent September weather patterns and – for earlier winter prep – move those bred cows to fresher pastures.
I have little doubt this fall was one of the driest and hottest on record. But… temperatures were consistent. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates were impressively low. I think the cattle are set up to better handle the temperature fluctuations most likely to hit later in the year.