Breeding for easier calving

Selecting “calving ease” sires only affects birthing of the calf.    It does not provide you cows that will calve easier in the future.    (There is a separate selection trait, called “daughter calving ease” that is a better indicator.)

Given the relatively low levels of heritability for most linear evaluation traits, they are not adequate to the full job of consistently breeding better physiques into the herd.    For this, the qualities identified in your herd (and in AI sires) by the “aAa” breeding guide are more reliable (and more directly related to function).    

How many genetic characteristics affect calving ease?    Open this newsletter and find out.    As with all aspects of biology, there are multiple gene factors and there is the over-riding epigenetic effect from the nutritional environment you created for your herd.    It is a manageable situation regardless of your breeds.

If you still have questions after reading this, ask us.    We are here to be helpful.

Mich Livestock Service, Inc    ***     “For the Best in Bulls”   and   “High Energy forages”
Ovid,  Michigan        phone (989) 834- 2661          email  “greg@michiganlivestock.com”