What age do they stop growing?

[Allsparksowner]

I have a 15month old Hereford/Angus heifer calf. She was a bottle baby since 3 weeks of age due to mother cow's aging health. She has recently come into heat twice and I wanted to breed her. However after a trip to the vet to discuss the issue of breeding, I was told she was too small and to wait until she is finished growing. About what age would my heifer stop growing? She is in good body condition per the vet and no health issues. I know she will never be big...one because she is a bottle baby and two because she is part Hereford. Thank you!

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

First, a bottle babie can be just as growthy as a cow fed baby under great management. Second, a Hereford/Angus animal can be just as big as most any breeds - especially British breeds.
Cattle "finish growing" around 5 years old. Do you have any idea how much she weighs??? Maturity comes with weight most of the time.
We breed our heifers at around 14 months of age. British heifers should weigh about 700#??? We raise Simmental, and most of our heifers will weigh 1000# at breeding.
If she is cycling, she must be getting close to breeding size???
A picture with her near something that would indicate her actual size might help you get a better answer - definately a weight would help.

[farmwriter]

I've got one that's had standing heats for a couple of months and she's only 11 months old. Here's a link to some good basic info on reproduction.
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-132 ... 210adfdc41

[Allsparksowner]

Unfortunately I don't have a pic of her next to something to gauge her size. I can only tell you I'm 5'6" average weight, and the height of her butt reaches mid torso of me. She still stands on a rake, so I know she's got some growing to do. However while at the vet, at least 3 veterinary staff said she was too small. Thank you for your info! I had no idea they would grow until 5 years old=) No weight either.

[JRGidaho`]

Are these large animal vets you're talking to or pet groomers?

I have a hard time believing any HxA heifer at 15 months isn't ready to breed. I've had a couple calve out at 13 to 15 months of age (not on purpose!).

We generally target 60-65% of expected mature weight at the start of breeding season (14-15 mos of age) and usually have 94-95% bred in 45 days. That is without any grain supplementation.

[Allsparksowner]

That's the problem, I took my cow to a pet groomer for advice. Um...no! These are University LARGE ANIMAL Veterinarians. All I wanted to know is what age do heifers stop growing? Only two people who have responded have been helpful! I may be a newbie, but I'm no dummy. Unless you helpful advice please don't bother posting. Thank you to Jeanne-Simme Valley and farmwriter for your posts, extremely helpful.

[HerefordSire]

Only two people who have responded have been helpful!

At the time you posted, only three replied. Did one or more get deleted?

[hillsdown]

Your heifer will still grow while being pregnant. Did your vet palpate her and there are internal problems like small pelvic score as to why he/she would like your heifer larger than she is now.


15 months or younger to be bred for all of my heifers or they need to hit the road.

Good luck.

I should add that some producers like to wait until 18 months, but ideally a heifer should calve at around 2 years . If your vet is a good one and knows cattle you might want to wait , I am sure they had a good reason for saying you should wait.

[backhoeboogie]

These are University LARGE ANIMAL Veterinarians.

A few of those folks who grew up around here are attending vet schools and call me from time to time. We occasionally get questions from others such folks right here on the forum. You may or may not be talking to someone who actually knows.

Folks responding to your post are merely trying to analyze what you have with no real information. Based on your description and the information at hand, there is no way to make an determination of anything.

There are heifers known as a "slow breeder." Most experienced cattemen will not bid on a slow breeder at the sale barn unless they are bidding for a slaughter animal. If you get an old cattle vet to look at her and he tells you, "She's going to be a slow breeder", you might want to wait a few more months. I culled three such heifers a few months back. Some of it has to do with size but more of it has to do with development.

I'd give you an honest answer on her if I could. No one (in my opinion) can help you with the information you furnished. Its not good business to wait a long time (e.g. until she's five years old).

[Brandonm22]

Your vet said "Wait". Why ask us to give a second opinion when we have never seen the heifer, much less examined it? Everyone on here knows that date of first breeding has more to do with nutrition than anything else including genetics. You paid for the vet's advice....follow it.

[backhoeboogie]

Cattle are about 34% larger now than what they were in the 60's. You can research that if you'd like. People don't breed heifers these days until the are about the size of your average full grown cow of the 60's. Average 205 day weaning weights in 1960 was 347 lbs. You hoped to have your heifer way 500 lbs before she was bred.

[backhoeboogie]

Cattle are about 34% larger now than what they were in the 60's. You can research that if you'd like. People don't breed heifers these days until the are about the size of your average full grown cow of the 60's. Average 205 day weaning weights in 1960 was 347 lbs. You hoped to have your heifer way 500 lbs before she was bred.

Edit: Here's a source so that you don't have to take my word for it. You'll have to convert from metric weights. : http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?pid=2795

[djinwa]

Other information we don't have.

When do you want her to calve? Do you have a herd and a calving season, or just one heifer?

What kind of bull are you planning to use? There are different levels of calving ease. Heck, you could have bred to lowline angus months ago.

What feed is available to support both her growth and that of the fetus?

[Allsparksowner]

1. This heifer is a pet more than anything, I don't care if she never produces anything! I know many think it dumb, waste of time and money, but guess what..........its my money loss!

2. I simply asked "WHAT AGE DO CATTLE STOP GROWING?" specifically angus and hereford breeds.

3. I posted in the "NEWBIE" section because after 10 years of not raising cattle, I thought some helpful cattle owners could help with the above question.

4.She is the only cow/heifer/bovine I own, she is fed grassy/alfalfa and straight alfalfa. I am trusting the vets advice to "wait to breed her", just simply had a question...please refer to #2. She also has an iodized salt lick, fresh water, sometimes cob w/molasses and any vegetable table scraps I choose to give her. She also gets horse cookies from time to time.

5. I didn't come here to be reamed up one side and down the other about my little heifer. Who cares if I never breed her, its my money loss! Right? I'm not a producer obviously, I understand that is probably dumb to many cattle owners, however its my choice to pour money into a cow that's a pet.

6. I didn't ask for a second opinion, I only had one question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT AGE DO CATTLE STOP GROWING?!!!!!!!!!! That's all
Thank you to those who offer good advice and links to info. I have found it very helpful.

[dun]

Check wit hte LA vet about spaying her. It ca ne done vaginally so there isn;t any exterior cut. Spayed she will make a much better pet