How often to breed?

[SBMF 2015]

SBMF, where does the 328 days come in?

283 days gestation, bred 45 days postpartum.
We don't usually breed that way but it sure is tempting when you see the first couple ina group coming back in heat 35-45 days after calving to A. I. them.

 

[anewcomer]

Don't most reproduction experts consider that first early heat sub-fertile?

 

[Dave]

Here May 1 seems to be a popular day to turn the bulls out. That puts the cows starting in early February. For a lot of years I would turn out on April 15. I would have a few calves arrive the end of January but we would be going strong in February.

 

[Rancher]

I'm north of Canada so we really do get cold and I've had frost bitten teats in early November if she has calf nursing. We calve in late March and April then wean in mid October