Glenn and Laura Robinson hosted Dr. Lee Jones from the UGA School of Veterinary Science and two students, Rebecca Elrod and Nick Rinke, who are in large animal rotation at the Tifton Campus. Dr Jones spoke at the Young Farmer meeting Tuesday, March 9 about the importance of selecting productive heifers using available tools. He pointed out that “the higher the quality of your calves the more money you will make. It does not take a lot of effort or money” to get there. The key is nutrition and fertility. First, you need to ensure cows are fed well enough to reach a body condition to produce a health calf and quickly breed back. This means maintaining animal body condition with productivity in mind. Buying quality bulls is another way to improve quality. Finally, use tools such as genetic and selection genomics select your top replacement heifers.
On Wednesday, eleven Polk County Calf Team members along with their FFA teachers spent the day at the Sleeping R Ranch to have practical—and in come cases hands-on—experience in evaluating herd breeding readiness. The morning started with Dr Jones and his students testing four bulls for readiness to breed. Students were given an opportunity to look at sperm through the microscope as they were told what to look for in terms of mobility and viability. This was followed by the team determining heifer reproduction tract scores which are used to determine how mature a heifer is and whether she is ready to breed. It also helps Glenn pick the right bulls for each replacement heifer to minimize risk of needing to pull a calf. Several students took turns practicing on the heifers as Dr Jones provided guidance.
On Wednesday, eleven Polk County Calf Team members along with their FFA teachers spent the day at the Sleeping R Ranch to have practical—and in come cases hands-on—experience in evaluating herd breeding readiness. The morning started with Dr Jones and his students testing four bulls for readiness to breed. Students were given an opportunity to look at sperm through the microscope as they were told what to look for in terms of mobility and viability. This was followed by the team determining heifer reproduction tract scores which are used to determine how mature a heifer is and whether she is ready to breed. It also helps Glenn pick the right bulls for each replacement heifer to minimize risk of needing to pull a calf. Several students took turns practicing on the heifers as Dr Jones provided guidance.
Having Fun on Cow-o-ween & 2019 Season.
Working hard to get ready for the 2020 Season!
Polk County Calf Show Team starts MONDAY, August 3!
Thank you to all who donated calves. We would love to have your support for feed and equipment.
Polk County Fair... Great Job Everyone!
And Thank You to All our Sponsors who Made it Possible.
COW APPRECIATION DAY
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GREAT JOB!
Thank you to all who helped raise get donations. They raised over $500 for the Show Team! |
July 29 (Monday) - Calves will be Introduced to the Show Team
** Rockmart FFA Livestock Facility **
Time TBD
** Rockmart FFA Livestock Facility **
Time TBD
This year, we will be doing something a little different. Instead of having everyone come to the Sleeping R Ranch to pick calves, WE will be starting to get them ready and try to do a better job of MATCHING a calf to a team member. We decided to do this to ensure that you get a calf that will work with you and to avoid the problems we had in the past where multiple people chose the same calf. See you at the Barn!!
And the Winners Are...
We have a team of winners! They have participated in SIX shows so far with the next scheduled for JANUARY 19. Good Luck at the Carroll County Young Farmer Show!!
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Blue Ridge Cattle Classic, Blairsville ....November 10
Georgia National Fair, Perry ..........October 4-6
NW GA Fair, Calhoun ............. September 11
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Bartow Fall Classic, Cartersville ..... October 27
Coosa Valley Fair, Rome ........October 3
Polk County Fair ......... August 30
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Show Team TEAMS
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TEAM ALPHA
Andrew Carter Cason Lee Maci Day Trace Mullinax Trenton Garner Shayla Stephens Trista Garner JD Summerville Andrea Guzman Alex White Elizabeth Jankowski Anslee Williams Emily Kidd |
TEAM BRAVO
Lilly Atkins Aimee Portwood Colby Cannon Lillyan Robinson Brylee Farmer Tate Smith Brody Jones Wyatt Tant Lindsey Jones Landon Waldrop Trista Langren Katelynn Woods |
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Congratulations Fair Booth Team in Winning
THIRD PLACE for Education |
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