Just looking for someone to answer this simply. I was offered some cows that got bread late. His bull went down and had to get another one to finish the heard. My question is would there be any problem with that? They will calve in October. Should they just be breed to be kept on a fall calving?
Depend'in on your winter there--- you may want to run young calves in a shed or barn when the temps drop way low. You can always get the cows back in time on down the road.
As mentioned winter conditions and available feed are the variables that come into play. They will require a decent forage to keep condition and raise a calf so as long as you have that covered and can keep them from getting wet you should be good.
That's what I was thinking but most guys around her won't tell you it's feasible. "Just calve in the spring" I had already planned on buying one or two for butcher but now preg checked with a calf that would be great. Thanks.
I fixed up a small portable shed for the little guys, put a board across the front so it is just high enough to let the smaller ones in, and keep the cows out. Graded the ground so water can't go through it, and put straw in for some bedding. Just got it done last winter, and several calves were using it. Put the open side to the east to protect from the NW wind, and SW wind, when we get south wind in winter, it is hard, and little protection. Have a bigger shed for cows, but sometimes it does not work good for the little ones. One grouchy old cow can injure a little guy easily, and if someone gets forced out, it will be a small one. Small shed is about 10x20.
Me I like fall calves Sep and Oct weather is usually nice and normally they have some size on them before the bad part of winter hits. Problem for us is corn and bean harvest is going on so no fall calves around here. We have a lot of winter calves in this area just because no one wants to deal with the mud of spring and most folks around here have some cover for winter calving. Over the years I have pickup some cheap cows that didn't get breed on time because of a bad bull and calve them during harvest.
Lot of guys calve in the fall way UP here. Usually start in September and try to be done by November. Good hardy cattle should have no problem as long as they have good feed. Don't know a single farmer UP here that run their animals in a barn.
My biggest concern would be condition. If they gained a lot of weight as opens you could have more calving problems. Other than that, it shouldn't be a problem. You can move them up about one month a year if you want to get back to spring.
What are you planning on feeding them?
How are you going to feed them?
How much snow do you get?
Do you have to remove the snow for cows to access their feed?
All questions that need answered.