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Post by melissa on Jul 4, 2008 3:44:05 GMT -5
Hi, I joined the forum a month or so ago and have been lurking. I was glad to see the breed have its own forum now. I have been researching several breeds of cattle over the past year or so and your cattle have held my interest, despite the fact they don't have black hair ;D Naturally I love the beauty of the breed, but I'm looking for a breed that does more than look good and I think the BWParks have more to offer. I was wondering if any of you have cows on pasture that are raising the calves through weaning without grain. I gather the breed is considered easy keepers, but I still usually hear the mention of grain pretty often. For those that are doing this, are there any problems with re-breeding yearly ? Does anyone have information on an average amount of butterfat in the milk ? As a breed with good milking qualities, do you ever find this milkiness to be too much, as in pulling the cows down in condition or making it difficult for newborn calves to nurse. Are there any numbers on live calf births vs losses ? So how good does the meat taste I appreciate your allowing me here and being able to ask these questions.
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Post by larry on Jul 4, 2008 12:18:37 GMT -5
Melissa, My cows never get any grain (except what they might glean on corn stalks). They are fed alfalfa hay and grass. They do just fine with that and at todays corn prices, that is a real advantage. I have found that if you need to feed grain to your cows they are too large framed or some people just like to feed them so they are plump. The first warning I give new breeders is not to feed grain to your cows. It has gotten more than one breeder in trouble (bull too fat to mount cows and cows with calving problems).
Most of my cows have good milk but not large udders. Large udders have a tendency to break down and shorten the useful life of the cow. I do not have butter fat data but the story has always been that our cattle test higher than normal beef cattle. Some dairy people have used our bulls and have collected data years ago.
Taste is gauged differently by different people. I always thought it was good but a first time locker beef customer thought the hamburger was terrific. If hamburger is good, just think how good the steaks are. I have been eating nothing but White beef for 20 years and cringe whenever I have to eat other beef. Try some, you will like it.
Larry
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wolffarm
Silver Member
Goofy 31
Posts: 26
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Post by wolffarm on Jul 4, 2008 12:56:58 GMT -5
Melissa Once my heifers get breed, thats the last corn they get, unless they are grazing corn stocks.My cows only get hay and grass. If I have a cow thats not pulling down when she's nursing a calf. Then she she's not working hard enuff for me. I too tell my breeding stock customers not to grain my cattle or help them with supplements. They are a low maintenence cattle. Just let them do their own thing. Nature has bred them to be cattle that can turn poor quality hay and grass into beef. Just let them do what their bred to do. I do not have any butter fat data. I do have some on protien, if I can find it. We test very high on protien comepared to other breeds. My meat customers tell me that my beef is the best. And they can't eat beef when they go out because it is never as good as they have at home. I do not know were you are located. But you are welcome to come see my cattle anytime and I will give you some beef to try.
Kevin
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Post by melissa on Jul 8, 2008 20:30:21 GMT -5
Larry and Kevin, Thanks for your input on my questions last week. Saturday we visited a farm of ABWPs - I was very impressed, particularly with the disposition of these cattle, and I guess that is why I bought two heifer calves . We will bring them over here in August, when the 2nd calf is fully weaned. I have much to learn.
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Post by melissa on Jul 8, 2008 20:34:01 GMT -5
P.s. These were Greg and Karen Powell's cattle. They have a really nice place and are pretty close to me. They also have two bull calves. Both are nice calves, but one in particular I thought looked really really good.
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Post by gwenger on Sept 3, 2008 16:09:36 GMT -5
I really don't have much to say but I have been watching the board and it seems like no one else does either. We will be weaning calves this Friday. I guess it will be noisy for a few days.
What's up with everyone else?
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Post by larry on Sept 4, 2008 14:43:11 GMT -5
Glenn, It has been quiet on the board...everybody must be busy. I am trying to get 5 calves ready for the next two shows in between cutting hay and everything else. Will not wean calves until we get back from Harrisburg. Tried weaning in mid September before but that did not work too well with the temporary help while I was gone to the shows.
Am starting to get calls for Breeding Stock for pickup next spring. Really important for people to make those selections early so they get the prime picks rather than the leftovers.
Rain all day today, we did need some but on the other hand I still have hay to cut and other dry day jobs to do. Larry
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wolffarm
Silver Member
Goofy 31
Posts: 26
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Post by wolffarm on Sept 4, 2008 17:58:26 GMT -5
Glenn, Its raining so I have time to get on here. I forgot about the Sentry bull you have. With his calves and the heifers that he is bred to, in your sale. It would probably help your sale a lot if I win everthing at the Kile show. So tell Matt he will have to fit my show cattle, too. Besides I really like the chairs you get when you win.
Kevin
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Post by gwenger on Sept 5, 2008 15:09:59 GMT -5
Larry & Kevin, I hope we get some of the rain that you guys are getting or maybe some from Hannah tonight. We have been feeding hay for about two weeks. I don't think I will be much competition in showing heifers at KILE this year because I am selling all the good ones on our sale! Kevin, I am showing a April 25 heifer calf out of your 519 twin by Prince. She will be young in her class. Sale catalogs are at the printer, I should have them back to mail out late next week. Keep an eye on the #35 heifer on our sale. She is a Kicker out of a Frank daughter going back to my Snowflake cow. I can't figure out why I am selling her? ?? She is going to be a great one!
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Post by larry on May 13, 2009 12:00:55 GMT -5
Rain again today and very little planted here in extreme SE Iowa. We got started in White Park cattle because of the characteristics of the cattle but more importantly because of the people that own them. Everyone works together at the shows, no attitude to win at any price.
Great people was exemplified during our return home last fall from the Harrisburg show. The alternator went out of my truck while we were still on the turnpike. Paul Murray (New Alexandria, PA) to the rescue with all the parts and tools to do the job.
A big thanks to Paul!
Larry
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Post by gregpowell on May 14, 2009 12:53:29 GMT -5
Larry,
I agree with your comments about White Park breeders. I think that both the breed and breeders are high quality. Everyone we have met during our short time associated with these cattle have been helpful, professional, and a pleasure to associate with.
Thanks to all.
Greg
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