Heifer Calved at 16 Months of Age

[Mighty Mouse]

I found a surprise when checking the herd this evening. This little South Poll heifer will be 16 months old a week from tomorrow…and had her first calf today. Assuming 280 day gestation, she conceived at 6.5 months old. I was aware (based on preg check performed before purchase), that she was bred younger than I would prefer, but I didn't think she was bred that young. The calf is small, but (knock on wood) he and his young mama appear to be doing well.

 

[coachg]

Small calves out of heifers= live calves . Live calves = money . I'd give her some extra groceries if possible.

 

[Brute 23]

Been having the same thing happen on certain cattle. I'm not crazy about it. Its fine if the pasture conditions are good but those calves can suck a young one down like that quick.

I prefer to early wean if it becomes a problem but the logistics of that can be a pia.

 

[Nesikep]

I had one of those, I supplemented the guy with a bottle once or twice a day... then I tried milk replacer instead of real milk and he'd have none of that so tough luck for him

"What is this thing here? what am i supposed to do with it?? HELP!"

 

[farmerjan]

Have a heifer we were going to sell, rather flighty disposition... BUT, when we got her in and were looking a bunch over, noticed she was awfully "round" and then noticed a little bag.. so... nope can't sell her.... she calved a nice calf, has been doing a good job, still a little flighty but calf is growing good. She was about 17 1/2 months when she calved....
Those "oops" ones are a blessing and a curse, but we have been lucky most times.

Glad yours is taking the calf and doing good so far.

 

[Dave]

I see out in one of the neighbor's pasture where his replacement heifers are there is a new calf sucking on a heifer. The heifers would be about 15-16 months old. Just got the bulls turned in with them about a month ago. Very short gestation.

 

[bvf]

happened to us this year,, 4 out of 40 kept heifer looked suspicious. pg checked pregnant, thought of selling,, thought better of it, got a backhoe, so i kept them, all 4,they calved live calves, about the size of a corn flakes box,,45-50 pounds at the most, moved them to the backyard, they get a whistle and scoop of pellets daily. the oldest was only 15.5 months old at calving, bred by their herdmates, never believed it would work out 4 for 4. might change my opinion a bout age size to breed heifers,

 

[Dusty Britches]

I bought a set of "open" 14 month old heifers and every one of them was 8-9 months bred. Covered when they were 5 months old.

 

[farmerjan]

We usually wind up with at least one a year that gets bred at a ridiculously young age, out at pasture with their dam when the bull is in for breeding back the cows. Have a couple that have been in the same "family" ... so an early maturing "line" .... Have seen a few go through the sales lately that look bred... but prices being what they are, they are bringing too much to take home to take the chance. Used to be they would be discounted way down and it was worth the risk to buy a few...
One thing I have found is to hold them back so they get an extra 4-8 months... rather than calving again in 12 months, I like them to go 15-18 months between the calvings.. gives them time to grow a little more and get a longer break. We just try to get them bred back to calve with the next group of cows... sometimes it is only 15 months between 1st and 2nd calves. And they may always be a little smaller as mature cows because it "stunted" their growth a little as a heifer... but that's okay, the genetics are there for "normal" growth calves....
Got one now that calved at like 17 months... doing good with the calf... she just went back with the bull.... not much of an extra break... but I think she will be fine... High strung, and did not want to keep her back when she does much better in the herd group so she went out... She was on the list to sell when we noticed she seemed to have more than just a bit extra "baby fat"... so we kept her, next thing she was making an udder, and calved....

 

[Hpacres440p]

Are most of these early heifers being bred by bulls or unweaned bull calves, or is it a combination? Had an 8 mo old heifer in standing heat being mounted by a 4 month old bull calf…

 

[farmerjan]

Ours are all getting bred by the bulls... no bull calves go out to pasture with cows.... all are steered/banded before they go out. Have had only 1 that a band broke one time.... and put a couple of tiny bull calves out with cows at one place, but none of those few heifers were any that came up bred.