For a Good Time call....

[Just Curious]

Is there some preferred ratio of cows per bull per time frame that you like to see???

I.e... It might be a bit much for one bull to cover 1000 cows in one month... But over a year???... That might be doable for the bull but probably not practical from a uniform calving season...

So for, lets say, a two month calving season, what kind of ratio do you like to see?

 

[MillIronQH]

It would depend on range conditions. I'd like 1-20 close up and maybe 1-15 in bigger or rougher country.Z

 

[ilfarmer92]

Ive had bulls that can take on 30 head, but 20 25 sounds about right for some bulls

 

[MikeC]

The best cattlemen in my area (that I know personally) use 1 bull per every 25 cows and swap a fresh bull in every 2 weeks.

While in the two week resting period he gets treated like a King too.

 

[KNERSIE]

if you use multiple sires, use 3 bulls per 100 cows.

On pastures a mature bull can easily handle 35-40. if its very hilly range 25 cows is about the limit

 

[MrGale]

some depends on the age of the bull as well. younger bulls i would give fewer cows to, a 3 to 4 year old give em 25....sundance, my bull, is about three, and he handles 20 with sleep time left over.

 

[Jogeephus]

1:30 works good for me. 90 day breeding season but got all calves in 45 days.

 

[Jake]

the rule is one cow per month of age up until 2 years old. We had a three year old cover 39 head this summer. We figure one bull can cover 30 head. But if you get enough to where you need 2 bulls it's almost worth the third so that something is gettin bred instead of just a lot of fighting.

 

[randiliana]

For 2 year olds and older we use 1 bull per 30-40 head. For a yearling we will have 1 bull per 20 head or less. That is on a 60 day season, on small (1/4 section) pastures.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

I use 40 acre pastures, and insist that a mature bull be able to easily handle 40 - 50 cows in a 60 day season and not lose shape. A yearling had better handle 30 cows minimum, or he goes away.

Rod

 

[msscamp]

1 2-year old bull covers 50 head of cows on a section of land in 90 days with no problems.

 

[cfpinz]

I use one bull for every 25-30 cows, less for a young bull.

cfpinz

 

[MikeC]

I use 40 acre pastures, and insist that a mature bull be able to easily handle 40 - 50 cows in a 60 day season and not lose shape. A yearling had better handle 30 cows minimum, or he goes away.

Rod

But, but, but, you don't KNOW that your bull can handle these cows until way after breeding season. At some point in time you have to use a new bull.

Thus, the reason for swapping out bulls every two weeks. Will lessen the chances of cows being open at the end of your breeding season.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

But, but, but, you don't KNOW that your bull can handle these cows until way after breeding season. At some point in time you have to use a new bull.

One of the advantages of having my girls close to home and small pastures is that I can keep an eye on things, even when I'm busy. I semen check my bulls before every breeding season, and I watch for problem signs out in the pastures. If I see cows cycling and the bull ignoring them, I know theres trouble. Likewise if after 60 days, I see more cycling, then I know there is an issue. I also watch the bulls closely. If see a bull dropping shape rapidly, then I know he won't be able to hack the job and he goes for hamburger ASAP (if its my bull) or the guy who sold the bull to me gets a phone call and told to bring another bull ASAP.

I have very few lates (< 1% average) and the opens I know are problems. The only time I didn't semen check (year before last) I got bit by a bull with 25% detached head semen (probably frozen testicles from the winter). The cows would catch, then abort 3 to 6 weeks later, with another heat coming 3 to 6 weeks after that. I spose with your trick of running new bulls every two weeks I would have minimized the number of lates, but then I also wouldn't know there was a problem with the first bull, at least not until I semen checked him the following year.

Rod

 

[*Cowgirl*]

I use one bull for every 25-30 cows, less for a young bull.

cfpinz

Me too

 

[Limomike]

I agree with MSSCAMP.. I too use a 4 yr old bull, with about 50 adult females, on 200 acres. I have on occasion used 2 bulls, but one does fine.