Characteristics that make up, THE IDEAL COW
1.) Without lots of additional feed, reaches puberty, is bred, and calves by 2 years of age.
2.) As a first-calf heifer, she conceives on her first heat in the first 21 days of the breeding season.
a. This allows her to wean a older – and therefore heavier – calf
b. This allows her to maintain a 365 day calving interval
3.) This cow, even as a heifer, calves unassisted each year, and her calves (with the help of a good bull) are average for birth weight considering the breed and age of the cow.
4.) She is a good mother, tending to and cleaning the calf, stimulating them, and provides them with high quality colostrum.
5.) She has a sound udder and teats that are small enough for the newborn calf and are mastitis free; she produces good quality and quantity of milk
6.) She is not too fearful of humans, but also responsive enough to move when worked.
7.) She is protective of her calf, but not so much that she is a nuisance when access to the calf is needed.
8.) She tolerant of heat, cold, humidity, and other environmental stresses, and maintains her body condition given the available forage of the area.
9.) This cow is resistant or tolerant to disease processes that cannot be easily controlled and are likely to be encountered (i.e. parasites)
10.) She has the potential for an extended productive lifespan and maintains a high cull value.
The ideal cow does not exist naturally, however with good production management she is obtainable. For more information on producer consultation services to help you have as many “ideal” cows as possible give us a call.