2yr old shorthorn

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ty378

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Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
234
I just bought a decent shorthorn, she turned 2 in April she calved 10 days ago, abit green, would like to have her show shape by end of July any advice on how to get her there?
 

shortyjock89

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Joined
Mar 6, 2007
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4,465
Location
IL
It's very hard to get a 2 year old cow ready to show in two and a half months. All the pairs that you see winning either have a very young calf, or a calf that's just about to be weaned. Almost three months in is probably one of the hardest times for the momma cow. The calf is taxing her fat reserves, she's getting bred back, and trying to stay in good enough shape for both.  Not to mention, it's going to be very warm soon. Your best bet is to get her on some higher fat content feed and start working on her.  About two weeks before your show, start to day wean the calf a bit, letting it nurse good early in the morning, a bit at noon, and then let them be together at night. It would be ideal to have an older calf that you could completely day wean, but I've done it this way some too.  Good luck, pairs (especially 2yr old cows) can be a real handful!
 

hamburgman

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Feb 9, 2010
Messages
569
Only way I can think to make it work out for you is to only allow the calf to suck like twice a day for an hr each time.  I know of people who have done this to move cows up in breeding dates, you could pry start that around 3-4 weeks and the calf should be on a really good creep feed.
 

RyanChandler

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Jul 6, 2011
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3,457
Location
Pottsboro, TX
On full feed, the cow should gain a couple hundred lbs by then. Whether or not 200lbs will get her in 'show shape' I don't know.
 

ty378

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Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
234
I think 200 to 250 would b good enough on her, she isn't thin just needs some more condition, what feed would you guys recommend?
 

firesweepranch

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Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
1,685
Location
SW MO
We feed our pairs we are showing DDGs. That is it. We have had great luck keeping them fat and looking good.
 
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