Milk numbers

[jrod]

The milk number on a bull what is the best higher or lower

 

[chiangus]

Higher is better.  there is a chart somewhere relating # to milk production.

 

[CAB]

Remember the experts say that milking ability is not very high in heritability. .18 to .20. Higher does mean more milk, but as far as being better, it can depend on where you are located as far as feed supply and rebreeding and such. You can get too much milk.

 

[chiangus]

Sire's Milk EPD Effect On Daughter's Production Average Prior to Any Selection or Culling
+15 and above Rarely needed commercially - use only in herds very low in milk.
+10 to +14 Calves wean in excellent condition in relation to genetic growth. A few daughters may be a little slower breeding back unless their nutritional requirements are met, particularly at a younger age.
+5 to +9 Suitable to many range conditions and allows the more growthy calves to express their genetic potential. Regular reproductivity is sustained.
-5 to +4 Adequate under most range conditions to wean a good-doing healthy calf
-10 to -6 Calves' frame growth may be expressed but generally not carrying the condition/weight that more milk usually provides.
-15 to -11 Under less than ideal conditions, calves show some signs of milk shortages and some reduction in frame and growth potential.
-20 to -16 Calves show signs of nutritional shortages, rougher hair coats, and reduced growth potential, particularly from first-calf heifers.
-21 and below Unthrifty calves with poor weaning weights - some stunting appears depending on environment; additional feeding may be required to obtain potential growth.

 

[kfacres]

wouldn't the exact number for milk epd, depend on breed, as to what's breed average...??

Milk if too high, means hard doing, extremely heavy milking cows
milk if too low, means cows that milk less t han the barn cats.
milk in moderation is what's needed..

it's not actually pounds of milk per cow.. It's extra pounds of calf weaned, due to extra milk produced...

it's not a dairy EPD>

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Just curious, do Heatwavers milk good?  Particularly Milkman daughters.  Any information greatly appreciated.

 

[kfacres]

Just curious, do Heatwavers milk good?  Particularly Milkman daughters.  Any information greatly appreciated.

If you're referring to their actual milking ability- remember half the genetics come from the mama.. and in Milkman's case-- HW's influence is limited..

Now if you're referring to some kind of EPD's on these type of cattle-- that some association is putting out- remember they are crossed up cattle, and EPD's are worth the piece of paper they're typed on 99% of the time when dealing with composites. 

 

[CAB]

In my experience HW's or HW sons are not a good hedge bet for milk production, but some say they work. I do have 1 very good HW direct daughter but have sold 6times that many HW directs or HW Grand daughters.