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I would but then I might have nightmares!

Depending on the genetics in the herd, you can have no reaction or reactions up to death: tails fall off, hooves fall off... The better minerals: adequate iodine, selenium, copper, zinc plus "fescue genetics" can make most of that go away. Or it did here. You might also have some foot rot...

Proper amounts of iodine will help and/or prevent real hoof rot and any hoof health problems. Are your cows grazing KY31 fescue?

Also stop grazing height plays into it. Keep all above 4" and there is less ingestion of larvae.

They don't live long enough!

Yes. ;)

Pretty common if folks pull the sample. Same for checking bagged minerals on the ingredients on the tag. You don't always get what you think. Either the mixing operator is off, the scales are off or worse in the fertilizer deal and likely the minerals. A major seed company just pulled the entire...

I have pulled them with a come-along hooked to the roof of the shed or to the top frame of the chute. Upward and onward!

Not in details. Meetings that I have been to have been more on legumes or annuals.

Bulldog 805, maybe

There are many Angus that are scored at sales time as 18 month old bulls. Their genomic boost is likely created by scores of young cattle as well. Their scores are wonderful. But within a year or less the quality diminishes. I've seen it on trial AI bulls and it is commonly occurring. The folks...

Sounds like a loose connection. Are you using dissimilar metals?

I think that the current scoring is done too young and is more of a smokescreen to protect promoters. If it was working there would be less bad footed cattle being sold. I know that there is an environmental element but there are obvious genetic issues if you look at various herds and sires. Lip...

What is badly needed are research projects to identify genes that are tied to bad feet and how many generations it takes to get them out of the population. If you use a bull that sires daughters with good udders, he can fix likely 90% of the problems in one generation. Disposition is not as sure...

Don't kiss the cow.

People buy into registered animals and their recent investment makes them the newest sage of the subject sitting up on the mountaintop. The more they spend, the higher the instant IQ. I just discussed a historic Angus herd with a guy who was mad that folks with long term experiences and...

To me - the litmus test - Why do folks go back and use older bulls that they have used before? What do they say? Do they say, "Well his EPDs have improved since the last time I used him" or do they say, "He did a great job and I love his sons and daughters"? The results matter in those decisions...

It depends on the skill of the breeder. If you use old AI bulls, you cannot rely on the EPDs. The breed disses the old animals and gives them poor EPDs. In those cases, you deal with experience, advice from older folks or reported individual data. The AAA has a table of yearly EPDs and AHIA...

From what I have seen of bulls that friends have recently purchased from herds that value enhanced EPDs, the hoof scores are not worth a toot.

Same for Angus. EPDs are climbing and the AHIR average data is stagnant. It is a broken system merely used for promotion. Real data and individual data are the highway. Add in observed type. known ancestors and such. EPDs are the guardrails on the outside of the shoulders. EPDs are good to...