Cull or not?

nchobbyfarm · #1 10/18/12, 07:48 PM

Back in Feb. I bought my first 2 heifers. One was 350 pounds and the other was about 260. The beginning of April I bought 4 more and they were all between 250 and 280. They have all been in the same pasture and wormed the same. All five of the 200 pounds have caught and passed the one that was 350. She is also shorter bodied and legged. She also has developed a small but noticeable hump along her back just in front of her back hips. All that to ask, what would cause you to cull a yearling? I am starting to wonder if she was stunted or if she is just not genetically desirable.

If I cull her, I was thinking of putting her in the freezer. Or would you just run her through the sale?

MO_cows · #2 10/18/12, 08:31 PM

Let's hear some more about this hump. Is it like she is humping up her back all the time, like they do when they urinate? And does she appear in good flesh, just not growing as much as the others? Does she have the same breeding as the 200 pounder you bought at the same time?

nchobbyfarm · #3 10/18/12, 08:53 PM

She is not the same as the other. I bought the other because I liked her looks and later it was getting close to the end of the sale and I did not want to bring home 1 calf and have her by herself. I bought the other more out of necessity for the company.

She does appear in good health. They are all fat in the belly from the grass. She just looks to be a smaller type or framed cow. I am new to cows so I am not exactly sure of my cow terms.

The hump might be the wrong description. It looks like the back strap on the right side is raised for about 12 inches.

She is the friendliest one of the entire herd. This is actually a hard decision.

RectorFlyer · #4 10/19/12, 07:29 AM

Just run her through the sale.

Ken Scharabok · #5 10/19/12, 07:42 AM

I've had cattle here for some 15+ years. Maybe 120 cows and about that number of calves have come and gone. 13 remaining girls with 11 calves scheduled for the fall cow/calf sale at the sales barn in about two weeks. About half of these girls were born here and they usually have names. Sweetie, Peaches, Wheezer, Big Momma, Sugar and Snow.

Also will send three donkeys - gelded jack (---- Jack), jenny (Momma) and their daughter (Baby) to a new home afterwares.

I'll miss them all for a time.

agmantoo · #6 10/19/12, 08:11 AM

Can you post a pic of this animal?

nchobbyfarm · #7 10/19/12, 09:22 PM

I was not able to get a picture today. I will get one in the morning and see if I can figure out how to post it. Thanks.

nchobbyfarm · #8 10/21/12, 06:58 PM

I am not smart enough to get the pictures loaded. Sorry.

The best description I can give is my other heifers have a top line that is flat or has a slight downward arch and this heifer has an arch that goes up. It is not like a hunch back but I can pick her out at 100 yards by the top line.

TedH71 · #9 10/22/12, 09:56 PM

Maybe part Brahma?

bigmudder77 · #10 10/23/12, 11:54 AM

What were you planning on doing with her anyways? Idk what the auctions are bringing where you are but around here everything is down at auctions right now

Id keep her if she was mine sell her in the spring is she don't get bigger or eat her she will be bigger and more food or come around

But getting her from an auction you don't know what she really might be

What breed are these also

nchobbyfarm · #11 10/23/12, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmudder77

What were you planning on doing with her anyways? Idk what the auctions are bringing where you are but around here everything is down at auctions right now

Id keep her if she was mine sell her in the spring is she don't get bigger or eat her she will be bigger and more food or come around

But getting her from an auction you don't know what she really might be

What breed are these also

My plan was to breed her with the rest. The rest look like standard black angus cows but there is no telling if something else is in them. She is growing just much slower. She is a smaller framed animal. She is shorter bodied from head to tail and has shorter legs.

I am just going to leave her in the pasture when the bull comes in December and evaluate her in the spring. Thx all.

MO_cows · #12 10/23/12, 10:03 PM

Does she look something like this?
Cull or not? - Cattle

This is often described as "roach back". Ideally, you want a level top line, but perfection is hard to come by and especially at the sale barn. One of our most productive cows has a slight upward curve to her back, not as extreme as the photo. It doesn't hold her back and none of her calves have inherited it yet either.

nchobbyfarm · #13 10/24/12, 11:24 AM

Yes. That resembles what she looks like.

Glad to hear that your cow does not pass it on. Thank you for your help.