Cows, calves and veterinary: May 2008

Friday, May 30, 2008

a story in picture - 71 and dog

in-calf heifers 2008

Speckles

Princess and Gaunt

Naturally

Monday, May 12, 2008

Giant Panda has competition

Chilli goes for the Guinness Book of Records

Incidentally, the heifers arrived home last week and their final weight records followed them a few days later. (photos to follow)

One Friesian, 20 Crossbreds, 6 Jerseys. Group average on 1 May - 400 kg.

I estimate a good crossbred heifer to be equivalent in size, feed competing ability and production to an adult Jersey cow. Last year's babies (R2 Jerseys)- I used the weighband on one of the smaller ones in the spring and it told me she was 350 kg. They're a good deal larger now, and the bulk of the herd would tower over the in-calf heifers. The largest cow I've measured (not any of the Friesians, a heavy crossbred) was about 580 kg on the weigh band.

The heifers are making me feel old. They were born on this farm. Now they're back home and going to be mommas in a few months.