I have trouble getting my heifers to breed back after they have there first calves. I have been running them with my cows when it is time to breed them. I have 6 heifers this year I was thinking of keeping heifers in diffrent field while they raise there calves, and feed them some grain. These heifers will calve in middle of march first of April. What would you guys suggest?
First calf heifers
- Thread starter trin
- Start date
Unless you have really good pasture and/or the heifers were fat at calving it's frequently hard to get them bred back. Seems like the closer to them calving that they breed back the better it is. If you're cows are loosing significant condtion nursing their calves it wouldn;t be a bad idea to separate the first calvers and get them better quality nutrition.
cow pollinater
Well-known member
I have a hard time getting the second calf in as well. Separating them and feeding them better is a really good start. You can also select for a little less growth when you choose a bull for your virgin heifers so you don't lug them down as much. You can also select for a little less milk when you select bulls for use on the cows so that when you keep daughters they take a little better care of themselves. This year I used cidr inserts and syncronized and AI'd all of my first calf heifers forty days after they calved. I doubt that my conception was anything fantastic but I know from experience that getting them cycling early helps quite a bit.
Rafter S
Well-known member
I'm a firm believer in weaning the first calf off 2-year-old heifers when it's 60 - 90 days old. The cow will often breed back within a week, and will finish growing better without the calf pulling her down. You will give up a few dollars up front, but I believe you'll make up for it in the long run.
And please don't everyone beat up on me at one time for saying this. It works for me.
And please don't everyone beat up on me at one time for saying this. It works for me.
I calved out 45 heifers last year. I culled 5 for disposition issues. Of the 40 I kept all bread back and calved in 80 days. I calve out heifers in a pasture behind the house where I give them hay only. 1-2 days after calving they they are moved to another pasture where they are given free choice hay and a generous grain feeding. I keep out good mineral and never let it go empty. Once full grass hits they go in with the rest of the cows with the mature herd, I wean heifer calves at 5-6 months old. I also keep a pasture for 3 yo cows coming with their second calf that gets grain as well. Mature cows get hay only unless it's very poor hay.
