ok.. wwyd..looking for input

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jasper

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Jul 8, 2008
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107
We have a heiffer that we originally bought as a "project"for our upcoming show.  She is  16 mos old. She is limi x angus, 775 #'s.
I have thought maybe it would be better to AI her w/ hetwave ? or  ????  . Thinking of keeping her and making her the start of our herd. she is not registered or anything like that. I wouldnt have a clue what to say other than she  was a pretty pasture heiffer when we got her.  What  opinions do you have ?
 

dori36

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Jul 29, 2007
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Central Lower Michigan
Jill said:
I wouldn't keep anything that is only 775 at 16 months.

I guess "keeping her" would be an owners choice.  But, for sure, if you didn't "typo" her age, she's awfuly small for a 16 month old.  Are you sure you didn't mean 6 months old?  Don't want to start the Lowline chatter again, but 'if' you decide to breed her anyway, I'd "fer shur" use a Lowline.  Personally, I wouldn't breed her at all.  If she has a calf that reflects her phenotype, is a 775 mature cow/steer really be what you want your herd to look like?
 

Jill

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Jan 20, 2007
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Gardner, KS
Well he said THINKING of keeping her, the reason I said I wouldn't is that is a heartbreak waiting to happen, at that size it will be a problem getting her bred, if you can, and you will surely have problems getting her calved out.  This business is hard enough even with the best stock, not trying to be harsh, just not going to sugar coat it either. JMO
 

OH Breeder

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Ada, Ohio
I am not sure this is real post or is it? Heatwave seriously on a heifer. I know I would NOT use heatwave on a heifer.
AMEN JILL.
 

jasper

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Jul 8, 2008
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107
no it isnt a typo. she is 775 @ 16 mos. 10/07.   Wow, I have obviously not been feeding her enough.  I dont think she is small weight because she wont eat. We feed her about 15 #'s of grain per day.
and only give her hay occasionaly.  ( I was told in the begininng, hay was a treat) BUT, I also just had another heiffer weighed that is 11mos old and she weighed 625. We have held her back thinking that  is what makes them look feminine. how much do you think I'm off on her weight ?  I think maybe the person that i've getting "help" from might be off a little. When I told her about the hair regimine we used ( the recipe here w/ vin/ks and inf- she laughed- but when she saw our  O0 she was like  WOW)

So, I need to backup and regroup, re calculate and move forward.  :))) thank you all for the help. you're the best. You REALLY have no idea how much you've helped our family getting this litle "operation of ours" going.

P.S. jasper is a "she" (lol)
 

jasper

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Jul 8, 2008
Messages
107
OH Breeder said:
I am not sure this is real post or is it? Heatwave seriously on a heifer. I know I would NOT use heatwave on a heifer.
AMEN JILL.

Yes, this is a real post. I only thought of heatwave because, I see his name here so much. I thought she was good enough to be bred at this time. Obviously she isnt.  I certainly dont want to do anything that would cause her or a baby calf any harm.
 

red

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Jan 20, 2007
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LaRue, Ohio
Jasper- before you make any breeding choices have a pelvic measurement done. That might save you lot's of heartaches.
No, Heatwave is not a calving ease bull. Not sure what type of calf you want presume a clubby? I'm go w/ Money Man, Ali or Gigolo Joe. smokin' Joe is also a good choice.

Red
 

PaddyO

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Feb 11, 2009
Messages
136
YES...not being rude... DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT... use heatwave on a heifer.. If she is good, then yes, you will have an awesome heatwave calf.. but if you want more than one out of her then, breed to something low bw..NOT heatwave..The only reason i even responded was to actually save you the good heifer. Im sure he throws small ones, but I havent seen one yet to convince me to breed him to a heifer!! BUT he does throw great calves...SAVE THE COW!! (lol)
 

chambero

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Feb 12, 2007
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Texas
With one on the small side to begin with, use only Angus.  At that weight, I'd be surprised if she'd breed though.  She should be bigger than that if you just run her on grass.
 

kanshow

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May 24, 2007
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Kansas
Honestly if that is all the bigger she is, I'd probably sell her and get something else.    If you do decide to keep & breed her - get her pelvic measurements and if it is sufficient.. talk to Dori & TJ about going Lowline
 

shortyisqueen

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Oct 4, 2007
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Location
Alberta, Canada
jasper said:
no it isnt a typo. she is 775 @ 16 mos. 10/07.  Wow, I have obviously not been feeding her enough.  I dont think she is small weight because she wont eat. We feed her about 15 #'s of grain per day.
and only give her hay occasionaly.  ( I was told in the begininng, hay was a treat) BUT, I also just had another heiffer weighed that is 11mos old and she weighed 625. We have held her back thinking that  is what makes them look feminine. how much do you think I'm off on her weight ?  I think maybe the person that i've getting "help" from might be off a little. When I told her about the hair regimine we used ( the recipe here w/ vin/ks and inf- she laughed- but when she saw our  O0 she was like  WOW)

So, I need to backup and regroup, re calculate and move forward.  :))) thank you all for the help. you're the best. You REALLY have no idea how much you've helped our family getting this litle "operation of ours" going.

P.S. jasper is a "she" (lol)

Your heifers sound like they are malnourished. A heifer should be able to easily gain over 2.0 lbs per day (hopefully around 2.5 lbs per day at this stage in the game), putting her somewhere over 1150 lbs. on a high ROUGHAGE diet, nevermind the grain. You SHOULD NOT be giving her hay only as a treat - You should try feeding her good quality grass hay FREE CHOICE along with the grain and see what happens. Because she is a ruminant, her digestive system allows her to utilize roughages as a major source of nutrients. She likely won't eat and therefore won't gain weight because her stomach is upset.

If you're not sure what to feed, find a local nutritionist and have them help you plan out a ration for your heifer. Whoever you decide to A.I. her to, you'll have alot higher chance of having her conceive if she is getting the proper nutrition.
 

LazyGLowlines

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Apr 7, 2008
Messages
533
Do you have any pictures of this heifer?  It would be nice to see what she looks like. May we assume she's been on a scale and this is not an estimated weight?  How big was her sire/dam?  If she really weighs 775 (or whatever you posted) then you really should consider breeding her to a lowline bull.  We have mature fullblood lowline cows here that weigh over 1100 lbs....something's not right.
 

Steer Boy 101

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Jun 21, 2008
Messages
239
I bred heatwavve to a 8 yr old Big angus cow and the heifer was a week early and yet the calf had so much bone and square hip and wiered postiion/and backwards it wasa hell of a time gettin him out.
NEVER USE HEAT WAVE ON HEIFERS. not by my standards but everyone i talk to. anugs or easy calvin maine.
 

SKF

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Apr 24, 2007
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Did you weigh her on scales or use a weight tape? She needs to get all the hay she wants please do not use it as a treat. We always give our heifers all the hay they want. I know that your in Florida and Florida cattle tend to be smaller but that is way to small. I always aim for around a 1000lbs by the time they are 12months. What kind of feed are you feeding her?
 

OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Ada, Ohio
What is the breeding on your heifer? Are you wanting to produce club calves? If so, unless your gal is underweight she might need some more grow. You can spend years trying to breed up, believe me I did it when I was younger or you can sacrifice your heifer and buy a new one. Pictures would help a bunch.

I meant no disrespect in my previous post. Just wanted to make sure it was correct. Good thing you are seeking advice. It would worry me more if you bred her and were coming here after the fact and saying you used Heatwave.
 
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