CKC1586
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What are your opinions about a realistic number of cows to expect a bull to cover.
Bull Coverage
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CKC1586
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Two year old on grass.
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CKC1586
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Reason I am asking we sold one of our boys to some folks in Kentucky and they are putting him out on 60 cows. I felt they are expecting too much of him.
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CKC1586
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I know he is no longer ours to worry about but it is hard not to. I worked with him all last summer and fall. He is a really nice bull with some great potential it would be a shame if they broke him down in his first season.
It's to late to worry about it now. But you could contact them and maybe explain to them that that many cows could ruin him in his first year or any succeding year for that matter. That's to many cows for one bull to handle.CKC1586":1k6ok04z said:
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CKC1586
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I really appreciate your input, thanks.la4angus":2vs5hlyl said:
I think I will try to get ahold of them and tactfully suggest giving him some help.
SF
Well-known member
It is going to depend upon their breeding program. If they calve year around 60 cows is not too much to ask. Definitely going to work him a little though. That is only an average of 5 cows per month. On good feed a bull should be able to handle that, assuming he is not having to chase these 60 cows over 2000 acres. Definitely maxing him out though.
Our thought is about 40 to 50 cows per bull.
Our thought is about 40 to 50 cows per bull.
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CKC1586
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They sell to Lauras Lean and I think they try to get "big batches" ready for them, I am not exactly sure of their timetables.
Cattle Rack Rancher
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CKC1586":3a34upkc said:
On a mature bull, I wouldn't run more than 40 open cows. I know a guy that threw a long yearling bull out with fifty cows last year. He was pencil thin when he came in. That bull got sick and now he's sterile. Fairly expensive venture overall. One of the purebred breeders I work with used to raise bulls. He had a couple come back at the end of the year that looked rail thin from being on too many cows. The guy wanted him to replace them. I think as long as you make it clear to the buyer that you think 60 cows is too many, at least he can't come back to you later. Good Luck.
G.Marc Renwick
Active member
I don't usually try to push people's buttons , however some of you are pointing out how difficult it is sell/represent/guarantee bulls for even one breeding season.Year -long calving? 50-60 cows? Used a closed 45-90 day breeding season.Put the bull(s) up for the off-season and re-condition them.And use the 1 cow /month of age rule on young bulls(or be even more conservative for best results).Not saying other suggestions don't work.The odds just aren't much in your favor unless you like calf patrol 365-24-7 and like hauling off open cows.Not to mention the nutritional negative plane of calving in periods of low to non-existant forage.Also there are considerations for size of pasture,i.e. SC vs.Texas.Good luck everyone,hope I didn't offend.
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CKC1586
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This is the bull I am discussing here.
No offence taken from anyone, I was asking for opinions and input and appreciate everyone's response. I think we do need to contact these folks and have a conversation to prevent any future problems if they break him down.
I am thinking that since they are selling to Lauras that they are not calving year round and are expecting him to cover those 60 cows in a couple of months.
G.Marc Renwick
Active member
Awesome 2-year old. Very scrotal and muscled.Should be able to handle 20-24 head under average conditions w/o any meltdown.If he was mine more head than that would be buyer's discretion with no guarantee.
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CKC1586
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Thanks, it was hard to see him go. I know I know not good to get attached and I do know better but..... I spent alot of time with him last year and he is just so darn sweet... His brother went to a farm where he will have 17 to 20 ladies to take care of. Wyatt is gonna definately have to work for his lunch. Their sire is awesome and he sure passes that on!
jerry27150
Well-known member
clemson university,oklahoma now says we are wasting bull power & now says one bull can breed 40,50 or 60 cows. i don't think it will bother that bull, he is nice
G.Marc Renwick
Active member
Jerry27150 : Can you give us a reference on the Clemson,Ok.State bull power recommendation? Both me and my son know Dr.Olsen personally and certainly want to know if he stands behind this.He attends and runs several bull tests and sales and I find this advice incredulous. If true , explains why I left University academics to try the "real" world.All I can say is maybe all of us are confusing parameters.That is not comparing apples to apples.We have run 3 & 4 year old bulls on 35-40 head under well-managed "Eastern" conditions(ryegrass/clover:small pastures) but certainly not yearlings and 2 yr. olds.And I don't have the nerve/luck to try 50-60.
Cattle Rack Rancher
Well-known member
jerry27150":1q6jt17u said:
I'd like to see that study. If he's like a standard university professor, he's probably figuring at 21 day cycle, that bull only has to breed 3 cows a day. Unfortunately they don't quite come into heat spaced out like that.
