By Kevin Laurent
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” A very common cliché we have all heard I’m sure, but how many of us are guilty of not following this wise advice? We live in a busy, fast-paced world where time is a precious commodity. In our frantic efforts to get things done and move on to the next task or obligation we sometimes cut corners and don’t take the time to measure, record, or document what we are actually doing.
One example of a simple measurement cow-calf producers can take is weaning weights. The concept of weighing calves at weaning is obviously not new or novel. Weaning weights have been used, or some would say misused, for promotion and selection of breeding stock and bragging rights for years. And for most commercial producers, weaning weights are obtained from the sale barn check when calves are sold right off the cow.
Please understand that this article has nothing to do with the pros and cons of selection for heavier weaning weights. My encouragement to weigh your calves on the farm at or near weaning has everything to do with managing and marketing your calves.
Source : osu.edu