Breeding schedule

[Butterbean_Farms]

Anybody have any advice on how to transition into a scheduled breeding season, from bulls with the cows 365 days per year?

I just sold all my old bulls, due to keeping heifers, and am thinking on running my new bulls for 6 months, then 5 next year, and so on, until I get to a 60-90 day breeding season.

 

[Coosh71]

Neighbor did this 2 years ago. He palpated/ aged and sold all older cows. Had 80% or so 5+ mo the bred. The remaining 20% we're either short bred or open. Sold them... Kept the bred cows and started his herds.

 

[bird dog]

Its expensive to do. You will have to sell some of your best animals because they are at the tail end of the calving season.

My advise is to allow 3 to 4 years to get it where you want. Pick the month you want to calve. Try to move up your best cows about a month per year to that month. Some cows will cull themselves when they don't rebreed. Pregnancy checking is a must as is pulling bulls. Make sure you have somewhere to put the bulls away from the herd.

 

[Midtenn]

One way is start out with 2 seasons. Say 90 days spring and 90 days fall. If after a year or so, you want to cut back to one season, sell the least productive herd.

 

[Coosh71]

One way is start out with 2 seasons. Say 90 days spring and 90 days fall. If after a year or so, you want to cut back to one season, sell the least productive herd.

Agreed... If you take too long and carry open or short bred cows 3-4 years I dont think it will pencil out. Probably be better to sell short bred and opens and buy replacements to fit the schedule you want.