re: Spring Longhorn Calves

I think "candy" is dropping very good color in most of his calfs. I'm interested to see the result in the horn growth. Do you plan on cutting the bulls? I know the bull has very good papers and you kept an eye on for a long time.

Those are some dandies.

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How many would u put on 20 acers of pasture and do u plant ryegrass during the winter or just hay?

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20 acres in LA? I'd maybe run 10 cows and a bull on it. Have calves, but never let your total number get above 15 and never let your total number of mature animals get above 11ish. I like 2 ac./cow as a general rule of thumb. The biggest thing is watch your grass and poo poo. You don't want your pasture to look like a putting green. That's too many cows. Also, poo poo density across the pasture is a good indicator. Yeah, it'll pile up around the hay where they stand all the time, but you don't want it every where you step in the pasture. Plus they can get sick from it. Too many cows means they'll eat grass really close to another cow's shite pile. All it takes is eating a little poo and they can get very sick, very fast and can die from it.

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do u plant ryegrass during the winter or just hay?

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We have done rye, but not in many years. We do hay and range cubes through the winter. With our herd we put out 4 round bales a week and feed 100 lbs. of range cubes at least twice a week. I try to do 3 times. If I'm feeling frisky I'll put out a protein tub a couple times a year.





Mineral blocks are important too. That's what makes their horns grow good supposedly.

I've seen a lot of operations that run angus bulls on longhorn cows. You'd think the smaller cow would have trouble, but their birthing ability is superior to that of the English breeds. Hopefully she squirts that calf right out for.

Had to go back to work but when I left there was one big foot sticking out. Made the call that calf was too big and needed to be pulled but I got over ruled.

Headed back out there to meet the vet. One day someone will listen to me

Awesome, the wife and I would love to have cows but unfortunately need to get us some more property first.

Aw. I hope not. If it does die during the birth process, is it able to be eaten so it doesn't go to waste? (Sorry, I know nothing about cattle).

It belongs to my step dad.

So, got home and calf had a nose and front hoof out. Obvious calf was already dead as I suspected. We tried pulling but calf had already swelled a good bit. LSU vet school crew showed up. Had to pump about 5 gal of lube in her and pull like hell. Bull calf just had too much hip for her. Finally got him out but she isn't in the greatest shape. Knuckling real bad on her right rear with some paralysis and can't get up. Got her shot up with banamine and some steroids and hay and water. Will try and get her up with the front end loader tomorrow and see where we are at.

This is why I don't mess with small frame heifers

Yup, as soon as yall saw only one foot yall should have gotten to work.

Going to be running a LBW hereford over 1st and 2nd yr brahman heifers to hopefully avoid calfing issues.