Breeding age of brahman influenced heifers

[fourstates]

I have never worried or had a problem with my heifers calving too young. I have never seen a bull show any interest in a heifer until she was about 14-16 months of age. All these posts about calving too young has me wondering if brahmen based cattle are exempt from this problem?

 

[milesvb]

I have never worried or had a problem with my heifers calving too young. I have never seen a bull show any interest in a heifer until she was about 14-16 months of age. All these posts about calving too young has me wondering if brahmen based cattle are exempt from this problem?

I wouldn't use the term "exempt" unless I knocked on wood immediately afterwards but enough brahman influence will, as a general rule, delay maturity a bit and reduce birth weights as well. Our heifers that are a nominal 3/4 brahman may calve at anywhere between 24 months and 32 months. Oh, and that spread I just cited is between two full sisters. They are averaging 26-28 months.

 

[jcarkie]

brahmans mature later but depending on the cross could breed earlier.mine are 3/8 or less, i don't take chances i keep them seperate from the bull.

 

[novatech]

I have some yearling reg. brahman heifers coming in heat now. Brahman influenced or pure bred are not exempt. I have had some bull fertile and breeding at 18 months. Slow maturing I think is mostly in growth to maturity. I do not allow my heifers to bred until they are 2 years old. I like them to be able to be all they can be.

 

[TexasBred]

My brangus heifers regularly begin cycling at 10 months although not allowed to breed. Also sold one young brangus bull last year 14 months old that tested very fertile.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

my experiance was, some began cycling before others. seems like the grays were quicker to began then my red/ indu.but i had one paticular one that began yearly and she passed it on to every female ive kept and these were all crossbred.. but i alway had too keep em extra fleshy . the only calving problem i ever had from my brahman was one malpresentation.

 

[Limomike]

I have heifers in my herd that begin cycling at around 8-9 months old. I wean em at seven months old and get them all shot with lute.

Exactly.. I just had one Beefmaster X heifer cycle right at 71/2 months, and then bred.
Do full blood angus heifers generally cycle sooner than cross breeds?