breeding age of heifers

[onecarl2002]

I have some angus heifers that I am going to AI. At what age do you guys breed your heifers.
Thanks

 

[dun]

14-15 months

 

[Anonymous]

Or 60% of expected mature size

 

[gizmom]

14-15 months

Gizmom

 

[bigbull338]

as said 14 or 15 months old.or when they reach 750lbs or more.

 

[dun]

Just to throw something else in the pot. We also do Repro Tract Scoring (RTS) at yearling. Anything under 142 for pelvic gets sold as a feeder. I started to think it was a waste of time to do it until last spring. Granny's daughters have all been over 147 (she's only had 3 total) until her last heifer. She only had a 130 pelvic, she's grown out just fine but that pelvic is WAY too small.

 

[Limomike]

dun,
I thought that typically the RTS score was a value of 1-5.? I think its a good tool to use, but not one that is common,. Earlier calving heifers, will be better producers, and more likely to wean a bigger calf.

 

[dun]

dun,
I thought that typically the RTS score was a value of 1-5.? I think its a good tool to use, but not one that is common,. Earlier calving heifers, will be better producers, and more likely to wean a bigger calf.

The actual RTS is based on the condition/size of the ovarys, if she is cycling or not i.e. has a CL, and the tone of the uterus/vagina. That is the actual RTS. The pelvic is separate but is part of wether or not she'll make a good cow. The pelvic indicates the size calf she can have without assictance, the RTS indicates her repro her likely fertility.
1> is immature
2> small follicles
3> slightly larger follicles
4> good sized follicles
5> presence of a CL
The tone of the uterus enters into them too.
We have one heifer that had poor uterine tone but had a CL. We AIed her the middle of may and it looks like she settled
The one that's heading down the road was a RTS 5 but too small of a pelvic for my taste.

 

[dun]

This link is to an article that gives what size calves to pelvic size should be:
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publica ... A-3010.pdf

 

[Limomike]

Thats some interesting reading, and some things to consider for replacements