Bull age

[allsouth1]

What is the average age for a bull to be effective at breeding cows. I realize physical shape palys a big part just looking for some imput. I have a limousin bull that is 9 years old and wondering if I should look at replacing him.

 

[angus9259]

What is the average age for a bull to be effective at breeding cows. I realize physical shape palys a big part just looking for some imput. I have a limousin bull that is 9 years old and wondering if I should look at replacing him.

If I had a bull that with a good attitude, threw the type of calves I liked, passed a breeding soundness exam, and I didn't have daughters I was breeding back, I wouldn't stop using him.

 

[novaman]

As angus said, if he is in good all around condition I wouldn't see a problem. Realize that most bulls don't last that long and he it is increasingly possible that something could happen, much like older cows being more prone to problems.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Neighbor has one thats 14, say's it is the best bull he has ever owned.

 

[NorthernIowa]

Perhaps an off topic question, but was curious. Aside from different feed rations and general destructive/curious behavior is there any reason my bulls CAN'T run with the cows after summer breeding has been complete? Separated again prior to calving, this shouldn't cause any problems should it?

 

[dun]

Perhaps an off topic question, but was curious. Aside from different feed rations and general destructive/curious behavior is there any reason my bulls CAN'T run with the cows after summer breeding has been complete? Separated again prior to calving, this shouldn't cause any problems should it?

No reason they can't as long as you don;t run retained heifers with them too. We run the bull/s with the bred cow herd after preg check and weaning till about 2 weeks before we expect calving to start. The retaine heifrs we run separate until just before calving when we pull the calving heifers and run them together.

 

[cypressfarms]

Perhaps an off topic question, but was curious. Aside from different feed rations and general destructive/curious behavior is there any reason my bulls CAN'T run with the cows after summer breeding has been complete? Separated again prior to calving, this shouldn't cause any problems should it?

I don't see a problem if the bull is with the herd, even during calving. The only thing that would make we seperate anything would be the daughter of a bull.