are these ready to breed?

[j&lfarms]

Wanting the put a bull with these heifers in May. Do you all think they are big enough? They are somewhere between 12-15 months old. They have all cycled twice since I have had them. What do yall think? I have alot more pics I just couldnt get them to upload. If you want to see more pics email me. [email protected]

 

[Sir Loin]

J,

???????????? What are you waiting for?
An open cow makes you no money!

FYI: Once a heifer reaches maturity ( heat cycle ) she depreciates from there on.
SL
PS Pics are fine, we just have to click on them for enlargement.

 

[j&lfarms]

I've thought they've been ready i just really don't want to run into calving issuea

 

[j&lfarms]

I've thought they've been ready i just really don't want to run into calving issues

 

[bird dog]

I let mine get a little older regardless if they are cycling. To me if they calve when they are 27+ months they
can handle it better and rebreed quick. it doesn't make much sense for her to be small have a small calf or calving troubles at 24 months and then not have her second calf for another 15-18 months. Size matters more than anything else and I don't feed mine to get them real big at 15 months like some do.

 

[j&lfarms]

What would yall think about breeding them to a limo bull?

 

[cross_7]

What would yall think about breeding them to a limo bull?

12-15 month old heifers
he ll just as well go ahead and shoot'em and save you and them the misery

 

[denvermartinfarms]

My first ever bull was a red limo, and i used him on 20 heifers had great luck and never pulled a calf, but it's not something i would probably do again or tell you to do. i would look for a good young angus bull or hereford if they was mine, and i would really want the youngest one to be atleast 14 months before breeding.

 

[Isomade]

J,

???????????? What are you waiting for?
An open cow makes you no money!

FYI: Once a heifer reaches maturity ( heat cycle ) she depreciates from there on.
SL
PS Pics are fine, we just have to click on them for enlargement.

Hogwash, some heifers will start to cycle at 6 months of age and in some cases younger. I like them to be 14-15 months depending on weight before I breed them.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

What would yall think about breeding them to a limo bull?

12-15 month old heifers
he ll just as well go ahead and shoot'em and save you and them the misery

Thats hogwash Cross. Plenty of real calving ease limi bulls to be had.

 

[cross_7]

What would yall think about breeding them to a limo bull?

12-15 month old heifers
he ll just as well go ahead and shoot'em and save you and them the misery

Thats hogwash Cross. Plenty of real calving ease limi bulls to be had.

For 12 month old heifers ?

 

[j&lfarms]

These are around 700 or 800 lbs. I was thinking about limo because one of my teachers lease limos for 100/month and that will be alot cheaper than AI. Im going to sale the first calves anyway.

 

[Sir Loin]

Isomade

Re:

I like them to be 14-15 months depending on weight before I breed them.

To each his own. I prefer to breed them at 10 - 12 months.

I think there are several factors that cause this difference of opinion on when to breed 1st time heifers.
1. Location, which effects body condition ( 1st heat cycle, BCS including size &weight )
In my area it is not uncommon to have an 8 mo old heifer weighing 900 lbs with a BCS of 8 or better almost year round.
2. Bull used. ( no cross breeding ) I always use a yearling bull ( under 1,000 lbs )on heifers.

My position has always been to let nature take it’s natural course.
Although if I had the proper facilities I would wait for at least her 2nd cycle to breed ,regardless of age
SL

 

[highgrit]

Yes those heifers are ready to be bred. Just make sure that you use a low birth weight bull.

 

[j&lfarms]

Thanks guys

 

[skeeter swatter]

Isomade

Re:

I like them to be 14-15 months depending on weight before I breed them.

To each his own. I prefer to breed them at 10 - 12 months.

I think there are several factors that cause this difference of opinion on when to breed 1st time heifers.
1. Location, which effects body condition ( 1st heat cycle, BCS including size &weight )
In my area it is not uncommon to have an 8 mo old heifer weighing 900 lbs with a BCS of 8 or better almost year round.
2. Bull used. ( no cross breeding ) I always use a yearling bull ( under 1,000 lbs )on heifers.

My position has always been to let nature take it’s natural course.
Although if I had the proper facilities I would wait for at least her 2nd cycle to breed ,regardless of age
SL

1. you must calve year around. 2. 8 month heifers weigh 900 but yearling bulls weigh under 1000? 3. Age of bull has no effect on calf size.

 

[skeeter swatter]

But yes they are ready to breed, depending on when you want your calving season. As far as Limo on heifers, well...... watch your birth weight.

 

[Sir Loin]

Skeeter,
Re:

1. you must calve year around.

I do. It is not only easier on me but it is easier on the bull and the cows also.

2. 8 month heifers weigh 900 but yearling bulls weigh under 1000?

Yes, I have one 1st time heifer ( maybe a freemartin ) I am breeding now to my neighbors yearling bull. She is around 800 lbs and he is around a 1,000 lbs.
When the bull matches the cow size it cuts way down on the possibility of injury while breeding, especially on the hilly terrain we have vs. a 2,000 lb bull.

Re:

3. Age of bull has no effect on calf size.

True, but no cross breeding does and I am black Angus all the way.
Also selecting a bull with a small head and slightly lighter frame does help too.

I’ll try and get some pics as soon as weather permits.
SL

 

[ohiosteve]

Sirloin, recommending to breed heifers at 10 months old is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[ohiosteve]

Sirloin, recommending to breed heifers at 10 months old is absolutely ridiculous.

I will expand on this comment. You say you like to let nature take it's course, what you are overlooking is that when nature takes its course and heifers are bred at a young age I can guarantee you the death rate is quite high. Only the strong survive. For someone trying to make some calves out of average stock, breeding at 10 months old is asking for heartbreak.