Easy keeping maine genetics?

[jbzdad]

I originally posted this question in 2012... I think it is worth re-posting... is anyone seeing an answer to this question?

"I know those of us trying to raise a maine show heifer use creep and I have been known to even add some grain to cows from time to time to try to keep condition up... my question is ...
are there Maine families that can maintain  good condition and raise a 600 pound calf  .. then breed back all on grass,grass hay  and some protein supplement from tubs or liquid?
I don't think beef cows should need alfalfa or grain supplement "

 

[jbzdad]

It would be nice if the bulls mentioned in replies  were somewhat available

 

[knabe]

do you mean can have a calf every year without supplement?

 

[jbzdad]

our cows get grass in the late summer and then go to cornstalks.. when they come off cornstalks they are in confinement from late feb thru eary june for calving and rebreeding ... we have been weaning Aug 1..

I have needed to split off the "hard doers" for some TLC to try and keep their body condition satisfactory and it seems like the high percentage Maines are in that group... I would like be able to alter the genetics so that the group of high percentage cows is more in the easy keeping group...

they need breed back and milk well enough to get a calf through to creep in good shape

just trying to figure out if there is a high percentage maine bull that might help me get there

 

[b_kackley]

I have been wanting more info on BNWZ Jose. To me he looks like he may produce easier doing females but I do not know. I am curious as well if there are any maine bulls that will produce easy keeping females.

 

[BroncoFan]

our cows get grass in the late summer and then go to cornstalks.. when they come off cornstalks they are in confinement from late feb thru eary june for calving and rebreeding ... we have been weaning Aug 1..

I have needed to split off the "hard doers" for some TLC to try and keep their body condition satisfactory and it seems like the high percentage Maines are in that group... I would like be able to alter the genetics so that the group of high percentage cows is more in the easy keeping group...

they need breed back and milk well enough to get a calf through to creep in good shape

just trying to figure out if there is a high percentage maine bull that might help me get there

Gib Yardley has a Maine bull that I believe he bought from Buck Cattle. I think the bull's name is Cowboy. I saw in their sale catalog last fall that Cowboy's calves weaned off just as big as his simmis and Angus. I'd give him a call to see how Cowboys daughters are doing in production.

 

[jbzdad]

I was on the Yardley home page yesterday ... He says some of those bulls are easier fleshing but I couldn't find semen at the usual locations .. I will call him

 

[knabe]

should high percentage maine's look like low percentange maines'?


in general, i would expect higher % maines's to look a little leaner.

 

[b_kackley]

I don't care what they should look like. I just want to know if there are any high % bulls that produce easier keeping females, and if Jose could be considered one of them.

 

[diamonddls]

Ive seen a lot of soft made easy doing Irish females. Like Kaxx I'm hoping Jose will work out we used him last year on a number of cows. Direct Deposit has made some good doing females up here as well. Hansens in Saskatchewan have good upcoming bull Wingman hes an IrishxDirect deposit.

 

[b_kackley]

Please post some pics when your Jose calves arrive. Thanks for the info. Sorry JBZdad not trying to jack your post just have the same question.

 

[Go Green]

Here is a March 2015 Jose X Ali X Miley
pic was taken late October, so at 7-8 months, he seems to be easy keeping. 6lbs grain a day and unlimited grass hay. i can get an updated pic if your interested. His ears got frosted in case your wondering about that.