Should I buy a small twin heifer?

[bluefish]

I have an opportunity to acquire a bred lowline heifer. It's not a screaming deal, but reasonable for the area. My question is the available heifers are twins (sisters), so a little on the small side. I don't know how much as I don't really know cattle that well and lowlines not at all. We raise a couple of bums every year and that's the extent of it so far. Anyway, will these heifers eventually catch up, at least enough to breed to something a little bigger? I was thinking maybe of breeding to a corriente down the line. I know, I know, but but we've had them before and they finish out on our pasture sooooo well!! And we love the lean meat.

So, would it be advisable to purchase a smaller, twin animal?


I'm still just tossing this around, but would like to have some intelligent info to toss.

Thanks!

[MO_cows]

If you like Corriente, why not buy a Corriente heifer in the first place? Would be a lot cheaper than the Lowline, then breed her to Lowline for a beefier calf. Same end result with a lot less investment up front.

[willow_girl]

I don't know much about lowlines, but among the Holsteins I work with, the heifers who were twins are indistinguishable from singleton births by the time they reach calving age.

Just had a pair calve in a week apart with their third calves. Nice going Lizzy and Betsy (their mother's name was Elizabeth).

[bluefish]

I don't have much in the way of cattle handling facilities and am looking for a cow just to have babies that I can put in the freezer. Therefore, being friendly and easily handled is a must. I can't find that with corrientes. I tried buying a corriente heifer calf to bottle raise, but no luck. These are 4-H cows and dang near puppy like in how friendly they are and halter broke, etc. I have been around them a bit the last few days at fair and have been able to handle them and work with them some.

Thanks willowgirl, that's good to know. They just look so small to me sitting there in amongst all the big angus and charolais.

[SpaceCadet12364]

What percentage are they if 100% they will only get to about 800lbs + or - a little. I would recommend 2 so they have company 1 cow can get into trouble since they are social animals.

[bluefish]

These are 50/50 lowline/full size angus bred to another 50/50. If I do this, she'll have a steer for company and a bunch of goats so I think it'll work in that respect.