I. Humor
"Play on words"
I was sitting here wondering what humorous story I was going to put in my newsletter this time. It's not like I don't have plenty of things to draw on, it's more about what is appropriate and gets a point across. So, while I was entertaining ideas in my head I decided to read my story from the winter 2013 newsletter again. I was about three quarters through the first paragraph...in the 8th sentance if you counting, and the 14th word in that sentence to be exact. Anyway, there I was visually reminiscing while I read about the unfortunate incident and holy cr_p! I mean cr_p! I mean mean noooo! I leaned forward to make sure I wasn't seeing it wrong...nope, there it was, and I quote: "While I was standing about waist deep in the surf I noticed a cr_p floating up in a wave." I had to laugh out loud. I could only imagine what the few readers who read my newsletters were thinking. You just can't make this stuff up! Thinking back on that story, it really was kinda factual....the little turd did pinch me! For your entertainment, or if you care to verify it, I left the story in it's original format and filed it under previous newsletters. While you're there you might want to find the past newsletter which has the story called "Crappy Fishing". It has simularities. :)
The moral of the story:
Things may not always be what they appear to be on the surface
From a cattle raisers point of view:
Pay attention to the minor issues related to your cattle; it could affect their soundness in the long run.
II. INFORMATIVE
"Anger Management"
The AHA has begun to collect more data than just your standard expected progeny diffierences (EPD's) on breeding stock nowadays. One of the newer forms of data comes in the way of disposition. Disposition refers to how calm the animal is or what type of behavior it exhibits, especially when that animal is pressured or in close quarters. Some refer to this trait as a "Chute Score". Disposition can be one of the first traits breeders cull for besides injury or lameness, and rightfully so. Disposition or nervousness in cattle has been directly linked to conception rates, and ofcourse, injury to the handler. I tend to believe the latter to be the more important issue. It is true an open cow cost money, but that can be easily remedied in one of two ways; get em bred or get em gone. Personal injury however, can have devestating consequences to the breeder and hurt the pocket book much more. Fences and pens all tore up don't make for constructive use of time and money either.
Another problem related to animals with bad dispositions is it can become contagious within a group. Especially being they are social herd animals and their instinct is that of flight. Calves are instinctivly made this way, and should not be confused with a bad disposition. Eventually young animals will get with the program and settle in. That being said, one bad apple can spoil a whole bunch, and make for a long day when working or catching cattle. There are tricks, and drugs, that can calm animals, but they may only provide temporary relief or waste time you could be spending on other things. Young cattle can typically be easier dociled. Some older cows brought into a docile herd may even eventually settle down with the proper coaxing and handling. However, if drastic measures like penning, feeding, and providing closer human contact does not work over a reasonable or tolerated time frame, you may want to consider moving them on. In the meantime, take advantage of the flight zones of the animals when working cattle which are more spooky than others, and keep them in a group if at all possible. Letting them run solo can be bad news. Remember, nervousness is a trait in all cattle. Gaining their trust through constant handling and periodic cubing is probably the best way to solve this problem. For those hard cases it may simply be a matter of "best served with red wine and a salad".
III. FARM NEWS:
Joshua Harvey is still deployed overseas, please keep him in your prayers.
** Two young yearling bulls now availble
** We also have a few heifer available in our back-back program only.
Thank you! Bobby and Brandi Bryan for your purchase of Double H Farms cattle.
IV. CURRENT/ UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 19-22, 2013 - Texas Junior Hereford Assn. Combined State Show, Belton, Texas
July 14-21, 2013 - Jr. National, Kansas City, MO
September 6, 2013 - West Texas Fair and Rodeo Hereford Shows, Abilene Texas
September 28, 2013 - East Texas State Fair Hereford Show, Tyler Texas
October 11, 2013 - State Fair of Texas Hereford Show, Dallas Texas
V. HEREFORD HIGHLIGHTS:
DBLH MYRA R01
(01/9/2005)
Farms
Double
Farms
Double
Farms
doublehtx@gmail.com
Double
Newsletter
Performance on the Hoof!
Performance on the Hoof!
Performance on the Hoof!
Summer 2013
Thanks, and keep coming back!!
Table of Contents:
R01 is a good daughter out of our herd bull Malachi. Her dam was a cow who stayed in production for 13 years. R01 lost her 2012 calf, but because she raised such good calves, and the best heifer in 2011, we gave her another chance. She didn't disappoint us. She bred back and calved one of the nicest 702 sons we have had. R01 has a nice udder, big frame, great disposition, and is good on her feet. This is the kind of cow that makes us want to dig back into the semen tank and produce some more Malachi offspring. Look for her daughter to calve in 2013, and her 2013 son to sell in a consignment sale. You can bet we will try to get as many years out of her as we did her mother.
Every once in a while we have to go back and look at some of the outstanding animals we have bred and raised. This was Havoc at nearly 2 years of age. He was a beef machine and one of the best sons out of our Harvey bull. He went to a commercial operation in 2004 and was still working in the pasture in 2012. That's longevity, and "Performance on the Hoof!"
Calved 2/14/13 to Willis 10H WC 0702 ET
The Harvey's
Tom and Tina
R01 as a calf
R01's 2011 daughter
R01's 2013 calf
R01's 2010 calf
