BEET PULP AND BREEDING HEIFER ISSUES

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sizzler14

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A friend of mine was telling me that he read an article about beet pulp and how ultimately when used enough it can sterilize a heifer. I questioned this because i poor the beet pulp to my heifers. But lately,  I have had some problems with my ex-show heifers breeding as heifers. two years ago I kept three heifers. I showed two and didnt one. The two I showed never breed and they became hamburger and the one i didnt show and didnt give beet pulp too has a bull calf at side this year. Has anybody else heard of this or had problems. I know it cant sterilize every heifer because it would have already been said, but does it have affect on some heifers> Also has anybody used Purina Depth CHarge? has it worked for you? have you had breeding problems with it?
 

rackranch

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Doesn't seem very likely that it would affect the reproductive system.  Can you ask your friend more about the article so we can look it up?
Also, I use depth charge and like the results.
 
C

cornish

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most 'good' show heifers-- never really do breed as yearlings.

yes, you're right-- the feeding program of these show heifers is to blame for their lack of reproductive activities--- I'll assure you-- it's not the beet pulp causing the problems though.
 

chambero

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I seriously question the whole issue of show heifers not breeding and the cause of it.  Maybe its different in Texas, but the overwhelming majority of people that show heifers don't know the first thing about breeding cattle from a practical standpoint. Most of them are kids - whose families aren't in the cattle business - advised by an ag teacher/county agent who didn't come from a true cattle ranching background.  Many will tell you they know what they are doing, but they don't.  It certainly isn't complicated, but the little things like not being in a hurry and catching them in actual heat makes all the difference in the world.  The failure of show heifers to breed has a lot more to do with "hit and miss AIing" than it does the heifers themselves. It's also amazing what turning them out with an actual bull will do.  It also helps to have them around other catle in the barn - particuarly heifers, to get the hormones triggered.  I suspect most show heifers are raised in a barn by themselves. 

I can guarantee you feeding beet pulp doesn't have a thing to do with it. You can get purebred British heifers fat enough to have a hard time breeding, but that's nothing getting kicked out of the barn for a couple of months won't cure.  With exotics - you can't hardly get them that fat.

I'm still waiting for our first show heifer not to breed - five years into it with 2-3 heifers in the barn per year.
 

coachmac

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We have had success in the past feeding beet pulp and depth charge.  We have not encountered any problems that I would tag on beet pulp or DC.  We really like what DC does for our heifers.  We have not had to feed a heifer the 3% bodyweight that is considered "full feed".  I am not necessarily a fan of obese breeding cattle.  The multiple problems that fat females can cause far outweighs the extra banner or two that it MIGHT cost us.  We have had a some success in the ring at various levels, but with us having a small herd, successful matings are what will give my kids a chance to build something they can be proud of in the future and possibly help pay for some schooling along the way.   :)     With that in mind we try to juggle with having females that are conditioned enough to do well in the ring but not so much that we have breeding issues.  We put as much, if not more effort in feeding a high quality grass hay as well to help keep the show cattle with the full, content look.  This is just our experience and there may be some that have differing opinions/results.  Certainly not enough information to be deemed an authority!
 

Boot Jack Bulls

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I have never heard of beet pulp causing conception problems. However, according to our AI tech, flax seed oil can have a negative impact. It is common in most show feeds and when feed heavy, can cause heifers to not settle. Just backing off the feed for about 2 weeks before AI'ing has been successful in getting the show heifers to settle.
 

shortii

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I know I am changing the subject but how early can you start feeding depth charge and how much does it cost?
 

coachmac

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we have been feeding it for the last couple of weeks and will continue through show season.  tag calls for 1-3 pounds a day.  we feed one pound in the morning and one in the evening.  cost varies with supplier.  Around us 10 - 12.50 a bag is common. 
 

RankeCattleCo

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The idea of  'fat' breeding heifers haven't always been desired.  I'm talking almost steer fat, not brood cow fat.  I think the rise in breeding problem with former show heifers is solely based on over condition- for the most part...

RCC
 

shortii

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coachmac said:
we have been feeding it for the last couple of weeks and will continue through show season.  tag calls for 1-3 pounds a day.  we feed one pound in the morning and one in the evening.  cost varies with supplier.  Around us 10 - 12.50 a bag is common. 

Thanks. Have you seen a significant change while feeding it?
 

coachmac

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Sure have!  It is tagged as a beet pulp replacement but we feed both.  Just not as much beet pulp.  The dc seemed to drop a belly really nice.  They seem to enjoy the taste as well. 
 

LostFarmer

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chambero said:
I'm still waiting for our first show heifer not to breed - five years into it with 2-3 heifers in the barn per year.

One of the first 3 show heifers we had didn't breed.  Her being a free martin might have had something to do with it.  Also the reason she was shown in the market class.  ;D
 

trouble3412

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Mar 5, 2012
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a question i have about beet pulp.  How do all of you feed it?  wet or dry and how many pounds?  I have been soaking mine and feeding it wet.
 

RCF Farms

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Daleville, Indiana
a question i have about beet pulp.  How do all of you feed it?  wet or dry and how many pounds?  I have been soaking mine and feeding it wet.


I would like to know that as well, also I have used full tank, how do you think that compares to the beep pulp or depth charge.

I have a heifer that judges say is green looking, but pretty as a picture. I need more depth and capacity by  mid July.
 

Bradenh

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if she is green just get her fat and use one of the 3 items listed to fill her up (preferably DC or full tank) we use depth charge because it more accessable around here, the full tank seem to work better honestly though just more of an inconvenience

i personally dont see a benefit in using wet beet pulp, the purpose of it is a filler and if you already feed it "filled out" they arent going to get that eye popping gut on them.... if you feed it dry they intake more and then it swells inside them when it is wet, making them more full than they thought they would be

jmo
 

CAB

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Someone asked a question about breeding a "younger" heifer here on SP awhile ago & of coarse was given many opinions about whether or not to breed the heifer early. IMO quite a bit of the troubles getting breeding heifers bred is that if you can't get them bred early in the season and egg that embryo settled in place B4 the heat of summer along with the stress of pulling them around some to shows it becomes harder to get them heat detected properly tied up under fans & then bred and settled safe in calf. IMO start trying to get your breeding heifers bred early and possibly give them some time off until "safe" with calf.
  As far as the beet pulp effecting the pregnancy rates, I doubt that it would have any baring on them. I assume that PPL are feeding the beet pulp to maintain good condition. Most breeding heifers that are being shown or are being fed to show would have BCSs of 6 to 8 which is plenty of condition.
 
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