column of the cow record sheet. One benefi t of calculating WDA 30 to 45 days after
weaning is that it allows a producer to measure perfor- mance from birth through weaning and identify any cows that may produce calves that don’t perform as well during the weaning process. Banta stresses that the weight of calves on sale day is ultimately more important than weaning weight. A third spreadsheet in Banta’s record-keeping system
is the breeding and calving records. Data recorded in Columns 1 through 15 are: 1. Calving season (spring, summer, fall, or winter) 2. Date bulls turned in 3. Date bulls removed 4. Length of breeding season in days 5. Date calving starts 6. Date calving ends 7. Number of cows exposed 8. Number of open cows 9. Number of abortions 10. Number of calves that died at birth 11. Calves that died between birth and weaning 12. Number of pregnancies 13. Number of calves weaned
14. Pregnancy percentage 15. Weaning percentage Information in the breeding and calving records al-
lows you to monitor herd performance trends from year to year and compare your data with the Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) averages for your area. Banta buys his replacement heifers and keeps their
records on a separate spreadsheet. He records when a group of heifers or cows is purchased, the number of deaths, the number of culls, and the remaining inven- tory. This data allows him to calculate percentage of the original purchase that is still in production. Leiber, also president of Texas Livestock Market-
ing Association, says, “Herd inventory and production records can usually prove source of origin, which is sometimes needed for complying with COOL [country- of-origin labeling]. They also can document the animal’s age, which has been required for some foreign markets.” Record keeping has become as important as feeding
cattle or maintaining a herd health plan, so it is im- portant for it to become a ranch management practice. There are plenty of people who can help you get started — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists, loan offi cers, software companies and others.
1-918-793-3382
“Affordable - Durable - Guaranteed” That's what to expect only from CENTURY
Proudly MADE
INUSA DELAYED CASTRATION Pat. No. 5522345
• All stainless steel hardware • Polyethylene construction • Lightweight, yet very durable • Proven to be “bull tough” • Years of trouble free service at a very affordable price • Several models available • 7-year warranty against livestock damage
74 The Cattleman October 2013
HUMANE – BLOODLESS – DRUG FREE EARLY CASTRATION
CALL FOR A DISTRIBUTOR NEAR YOU.
www.CallicrateBanders.com
800-858-5974
thecattlemanmagazine.com
Proven for more than 15 years
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134