#218 – The Most Important Trait
When purchasing a bull, what is your most important trait? Most select for growth or carcass, but one of the most basic attributes of a bull is producing a live calf. "The weaning weight for dead calves is distressingly low" (Kit Pharo). Click to read the full transcript What is the most important...
#218 – The Most Important Trait
When purchasing a bull, what is your most important trait? Most select for growth or carcass, but one of the most basic attributes of a bull is producing a live calf. "The weaning weight for dead calves is distressingly low" (Kit Pharo). Click to read the full transcript What is the most important...
#182 – Rain is a Good Thing
Rain is usually a welcome sight in my part of the world. We received a half inch yesterday and it sure brightened things up. In a country that relies primarily on irrigation, rain is pure gold....
#181 – Long Days
This time of year requires long days to get all the work done. I'm thankful for good friends and "Vitamin I" (Ibuprofen). This week we worked our yearling heifers and put them out to grass....
#180 – Kill the Cow?
In recent years, climatologists have villainized the cow as a primary culprit of global warming. They claim that methane gas (or cow farts) along with traditional farming methods are major contributors to increased carbon in the atmosphere. Are cows the problem or the...
#179 – Improving Soil Health
Our grazing project has improved a worn out rented hay farm. After three years, we can notice a definite difference in the health of the soil. Here are 5 principles that will promote soil health....
#178 – Didn’t get a Bull?
What can you do if the PCC® spring sales are over and you didn't get a bull? Here's a couple of options. https://www.youtube.com/watch?loop=1&v=ZuLzpJ970HQ&list=PLSpP--7TbVItPcvRmNfEugZ0Hu8SfIOay&index=178
#177 – How Long Does It Take?
I'm often asked, "How long does it take to change out your cow herd to moderate-framed, low maintenance PCC® cows?" It took us about 5 years and here's the short version. That may seem like a long time, but in reality, the years flew by. The hardest part was getting...
The Latest from our Herd Quitter® Blog
Breeding Decisions
The first objective to be considered is whether the animal you’re wanting to produce is destined to be utilized in a maternal breeding program or as a terminal animal for beef. The selection criteria for these two options are vastly different, and I’ll go into more detail in paragraphs to come. A premise to consider is that there are two types of traits in a maternal breeding program. Profit Traits, which include environmental adaptability, nutritional...