Implants on Market Heifers

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LostFarmer

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
528
Location
Eastern Idaho
We are starting the next set of calves.  This will be shown over the summer at jackpots and clinics until the County in early August and the state fair in early September.  We have 6 calves in the barn.  3 heifers and 3 steers.  The steers are plenty big and we won't start pushing on them too hard until the first of the year.  Simply back grounding and getting on 5-6 lbs of feed until then.  The steers are more commercial bred with Angus/Simi/maine and should be fine.  The heifers are out of Carnac and Jimmy the Greek and a little on the small side.  Plenty of middle but could use a little more size.  I am not sure the old belt buckle cattle would work.  The breeder and I were talking about spaying them and using implants to push them a little.  I have no interest in keeping either as a heifer and they are way too steery looking in my mind to make good cows.  The breeder has not used implants in quite awhile and isn't all that familiar with what is on the market.  The third heifer is a hereford heifer out of TFR Cyrus but is a freemartin from a bull heifer twin set so she is a dud as a breeder anyway.  I think she should show okay as a market heifer.  She is a little bigger and a little more grow than the others by genetics and also looks.  

So steer planeteers what would you recommend as an implant for these 2 heifers and when should it be done?  Any other words of wisdom to showing market heifers.  
 

chambero

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
Messages
3,207
Location
Texas
I'd suggest Revalor H.  I actually use it on steers sometimes when I want to use implants for a longer period of time on an animal without making them as cresty necked.  What I'm not sure about is how young you could by with using it on one.  The smallest I've ever started one on implants is around 800 lbs.

Just go to Revalor's website for detailed info.

If you are scared of starting them on H this young, then Ralgo might help you out a little.

As far as feeding, I'd use a higher protein ration.  Do I remember correctly that you use Purina feed to some extent?  You might just use their Fitters Edge on them with their Champion Drive supplement to up the protein content somewhat.
 

rackranch

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
1,245
Location
under the X in Texas
I like Synovex C implants, they are designed for calves under 400lbs but will put a 600lb calves head in the feed bucket as well... yes if you are going to take them to the sell barn I would definantly implant but make sure they have plenty to eat to get the conversions your looking for... doesnt make since to implant one and then turn them on short grass... any of the calve implants will work like the revalor g or ralgro but I would look around and find someone with a gun and use what they have becuase the benefit will be lost purchasing a gun for just a few head...G-Luck
 
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