Let me know what you all think

[Australian Cattleman]

We breed Horned Herefords. I don't like him because of his white eyes,not hooded enough and for us he wouldn't be long enough. But horses for courses I suppose he had good figures.

 

[oakcreekfarms]

HC, I am 21 as well and in the process of building a polled hereford herd. I am going about it a little differently then you. Slow, slow, and slower. Not to say one is better, I just don't have the resources to build quickly. I was wondering how you got started in the business and are from what I gather gaining sales and doing well at it. I know Mr.Schultz on a business and friendship level, as well as Mr.Smith (owner of SHF Marshall), and both are giving me advice. I don't expect you to answer the question on this board so my emial is [email protected]. Just wondering if you have any info that might help me in my venture.

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

We breed Horned Herefords. I don't like him because of his white eyes,not hooded enough and for us he wouldn't be long enough. But horses for courses I suppose he had good figures.

Well, I like how honest you are with me. Thanks for you input on this bull. :cboy:

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

HC, I am 21 as well and in the process of building a polled hereford herd. I am going about it a little differently then you. Slow, slow, and slower. Not to say one is better, I just don't have the resources to build quickly. I was wondering how you got started in the business and are from what I gather gaining sales and doing well at it. I know Mr.Schultz on a business and friendship level, as well as Mr.Smith (owner of SHF Marshall), and both are giving me advice. I don't expect you to answer the question on this board so my emial is [email protected]. Just wondering if you have any info that might help me in my venture.

I sent you an email. Hope it is some good information and advice. Take care. :cboy:

 

[DOC HARRIS]

So DOC, what is the problem with my breeding seasons and when I put my bulls in?

HCF-In any business, and Cattle Breeding is a BU$INE$$, there are certain and definite parameters which determine whether the bottom line at the end of the year shows a profit - or NOT! Regardless of your financial source, or the amplitude of currency you may have available, it is imperative that your financial plans carry some degree of logic and reason.

I have studied your "Breeding Plans" and have plotted your "Bull Movements" throughout an 18 to 20 month period (which was necessary to get a handle on who breeds who and what is bred to which of your two bulls) and I find that it is next to impossible to ascertain WHETHER or NOT Bull A has settled (that means successfully bred) Cow ?? or ?? or whether Bull B has the dubious honor of being the head Honcho in your breeding Cycles. It seems to me that you are concentrating on moving bulls around and frantically preg checking cows to endeavor to be able to say that you have a 100% successful breeding program and have NO open cows - therefore you have a correct and successful Ranch Management Policy.

NOT!

Your program appears to me to be one propagated by Hyper-activity on your part. You are wasting $$ in almost every way that I can imagine. For example: by insisting that EVERY COW ON THE PLACE produces a calf - even if it takes her three or four years to do it, you are wasting time, money in the form of feed, effort, mineral (I certainly HOPE you are feeding minerals) and missing a MOST important factor of determining whether or not your 'cow herd' is productive and frugal. You have NO WAY of knowing if the Fertility of your herd is good, bad or indifferent because of your insistence on every cow producing a calf whether she is capable or not. A "Ruthless" culling program is necessary to develop a cow herd that will produce a calf every year (that's every 12 months!) and if you have to feed and care for a cow that takes three or four or five matings to maybe get pregnant - you are headed down the tubes very quickly - and I don't mean the Fallopian Tubes either.

The manner in which you have described your "putting them in and pulling them and putting them in again and pulling them out again" - why - those bulls should know the way without your showing them the gates! The "Record Keeping" chores that your plan necessitates is enough to bankrupt your BU$INE$$. Go back and read mntman's post again - noting each suggestion carefully, and REALLY THINK about what you are accomplishing. A successful business plan of ANY value capitalizes on many factors - among them a smoothly functioning, organized, well-thought out set of methods of operation which eliminates unnecessary effort and expenditures and increases the opportunity for PROFIT! Every business MUST show a profit in order to be classified as a business. You will find that the "Little Things" in running a Ranch are the one's which will determine whether you will be successful and remain in the game - or - eventually throw up your hands and say "It's not satisfying my needs any longer" and then go to selling Vacuum Cleaners or making stupid TV Commercials. I assume that you are adequately capitalized for your current endeavors, but, while money is critical, it is not the MOST important ingredient in determining whether or not you are successful. Satisfaction with your results takes a high spot in your list of achievments. In my opinion, you are headed for a crash unless you get your system organized and start thinking about what you are doing.

You asked!

DOC HARRIS

 

[Brandonm2]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

 

[Bez?]

So DOC, what is the problem with my breeding seasons and when I put my bulls in?

HCF-In any business, and Cattle Breeding is a BU$INE$$, there are certain and definite parameters which determine whether the bottom line at the end of the year shows a profit - or NOT! Regardless of your financial source, or the amplitude of currency you may have available, it is imperative that your financial plans carry some degree of logic and reason.

I have studied your "Breeding Plans" and have plotted your "Bull Movements" throughout an 18 to 20 month period (which was necessary to get a handle on who breeds who and what is bred to which of your two bulls) and I find that it is next to impossible to ascertain WHETHER or NOT Bull A has settled (that means successfully bred) Cow ?? or ?? or whether Bull B has the dubious honor of being the head Honcho in your breeding Cycles. It seems to me that you are concentrating on moving bulls around and frantically preg checking cows to endeavor to be able to say that you have a 100% successful breeding program and have NO open cows - therefore you have a correct and successful Ranch Management Policy.

NOT!

Your program appears to me to be one propagated by Hyper-activity on your part. You are wasting $$ in almost every way that I can imagine. For example: by insisting that EVERY COW ON THE PLACE produces a calf - even if it takes her three or four years to do it, you are wasting time, money in the form of feed, effort, mineral (I certainly HOPE you are feeding minerals) and missing a MOST important factor of determining whether or not your 'cow herd' is productive and frugal. You have NO WAY of knowing if the Fertility of your herd is good, bad or indifferent because of your insistence on every cow producing a calf whether she is capable or not. A "Ruthless" culling program is necessary to develop a cow herd that will produce a calf every year (that's every 12 months!) and if you have to feed and care for a cow that takes three or four or five matings to maybe get pregnant - you are headed down the tubes very quickly - and I don't mean the Fallopian Tubes either.

The manner in which you have described your "putting them in and pulling them and putting them in again and pulling them out again" - why - those bulls should know the way without your showing them the gates! The "Record Keeping" chores that your plan necessitates is enough to bankrupt your BU$INE$$. Go back and read mntman's post again - noting each suggestion carefully, and REALLY THINK about what you are accomplishing. A successful business plan of ANY value capitalizes on many factors - among them a smoothly functioning, organized, well-thought out set of methods of operation which eliminates unnecessary effort and expenditures and increases the opportunity for PROFIT! Every business MUST show a profit in order to be classified as a business. You will find that the "Little Things" in running a Ranch are the one's which will determine whether you will be successful and remain in the game - or - eventually throw up your hands and say "It's not satisfying my needs any longer" and then go to selling Vacuum Cleaners or making stupid TV Commercials. I assume that you are adequately capitalized for your current endeavors, but, while money is critical, it is not the MOST important ingredient in determining whether or not you are successful. Satisfaction with your results takes a high spot in your list of achievments. In my opinion, you are headed for a crash unless you get your system organized and start thinking about what you are doing.

You asked!

DOC HARRIS

Doc

My wife brought the house down the other day while speaking to a group of cattlemen - with this comment:

Making hay and breeding cattle for success should be like making love - the slower you go the better it gets.

Could not agree more with her. Hyper activity leads to rash decision making and more funds going out than coming in.

HCF - slow down and smell the coffee. Stop for a year and relax. See what your work produces and then make your decisions. You are busier than a one armed paper hanger and I believe your focus point - shifts as with the wind.

Wayne Gretzky was once asked how he was so successful. He answered - "I never chase the puck. I ALWAYS go to where I think the puck will be."

Beware of chasing. Do not be a trend follower - be a trend setter.

Just another old guy talking through his hat.

Bez?

 

[shutskytj]

Couldn't say it better BEZ, HC you commented on one bull being too high in BW did you see the EPD BW on this bull

 

[3MR]

There are a few people on here who I put a lot of stock in there opinon. Doc Harris and Bez are two of them. If they told me I was doing something backwards, I would listen.

Im not saying I always unconditionally agree with everything they write; but I would think long and hard about it, and unless I had specific reasons, I could verbalize, why It didnt apply in my situtation, I would deffer to experience.

HCF, I really didnt pay that much attention to what you were actually doing. Best of luck in whatever you decide. I had a friend whos father went bankrupt three times before finally making it big with TB's. Hope you dont have that experience.

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

 

[DOC HARRIS]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

 

[Tod Dague]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

So your cows are rebreeding the day she calves. :shock: Maybe I need to get some of your cows. ;-)

Putting the bulls in for 40 days then preg checking and putting the bulls back in is a waste of time. Just go ahead and put the bulls in for a full 90 days and preg check the following season (Spring for Fall calvers and Fall for Spring calvers). Cull all of the opens. You have few enough cows that they should all be bred in 45 days so anything that is open after 90 should be eaten.
If you want to improve the fertility of your herd put the bulls in for 45 days and preg check in the next season and cull the opens.

Just a question you have 60 cows, some are being flushed, two breeding seasons, and two bulls, how many cows are they breeding per season? 12?

 

[Ned Jr.]

Hiil Creek I do appreciate the enthusiam you have for the hereford breed. However, I hope you realize the huge resposibility you have to produce what the commecial men in you're area need.

My family has had commercial cattle all my life. The reason I got into the seedstock end was because I felt I could do better than some breeders we where buying bulls from. I was tired of milking out funnel tit cows. I was tired of all the calving problems. I was tired of dink calves. The list goes on and on.

I think the seedstock producer should be as hard on their cattle as the commercial man. You got to make them work. I watch my cows very close the first 45 days to make sure the bull is working. When you can only run one bull with a group you need to. After that leave them alone until weaning. Then cull open ones and late ones. This is how you keep a herd in check. If you pass fetility problems on you are doing yourself and your customers a bad disservice. If I have to touch a tit during calving season that cow goes on the black list also. Creep feeding-no way. How can you tell what the cow is doing. My cows don't get any protien either. This way I can identify the hard keepers.

I know to each his own. Just wanted to give you something to think about.

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

So your cows are rebreeding the day she calves. :shock: Maybe I need to get some of your cows. ;-)

Putting the bulls in for 40 days then preg checking and putting the bulls back in is a waste of time. Just go ahead and put the bulls in for a full 90 days and preg check the following season (Spring for Fall calvers and Fall for Spring calvers). Cull all of the opens. You have few enough cows that they should all be bred in 45 days so anything that is open after 90 should be eaten.
If you want to improve the fertility of your herd put the bulls in for 45 days and preg check in the next season and cull the opens.

Just a question you have 60 cows, some are being flushed, two breeding seasons, and two bulls, how many cows are they breeding per season? 12?

My bulls do stay in for 90 days and I never do pull them out. I already stated that I leave the bulls in when I preg check. Now, my Spring breeding season is bigger than my Fall cavling season. Its like 70% Spring calving cows and 30% Fall calving cows. :cboy:

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

Hiil Creek I do appreciate the enthusiam you have for the hereford breed. However, I hope you realize the huge resposibility you have to produce what the commecial men in you're area need.

My family has had commercial cattle all my life. The reason I got into the seedstock end was because I felt I could do better than some breeders we where buying bulls from. I was tired of milking out funnel tit cows. I was tired of all the calving problems. I was tired of dink calves. The list goes on and on.

I think the seedstock producer should be as hard on their cattle as the commercial man. You got to make them work. I watch my cows very close the first 45 days to make sure the bull is working. When you can only run one bull with a group you need to. After that leave them alone until weaning. Then cull open ones and late ones. This is how you keep a herd in check. If you pass fetility problems on you are doing yourself and your customers a bad disservice. If I have to touch a tit during calving season that cow goes on the black list also. Creep feeding-no way. How can you tell what the cow is doing. My cows don't get any protien either. This way I can identify the hard keepers.

I know to each his own. Just wanted to give you something to think about.

I see my herd everyday and sometimes more than that. I do creep feed and I like it a lot; my opinion. :cboy:

 

[Tod Dague]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

So your cows are rebreeding the day she calves. :shock: Maybe I need to get some of your cows. ;-)

Putting the bulls in for 40 days then preg checking and putting the bulls back in is a waste of time. Just go ahead and put the bulls in for a full 90 days and preg check the following season (Spring for Fall calvers and Fall for Spring calvers). Cull all of the opens. You have few enough cows that they should all be bred in 45 days so anything that is open after 90 should be eaten.
If you want to improve the fertility of your herd put the bulls in for 45 days and preg check in the next season and cull the opens.

Just a question you have 60 cows, some are being flushed, two breeding seasons, and two bulls, how many cows are they breeding per season? 12?

My bulls do stay in for 90 days and I never do pull them out. I already stated that I leave the bulls in when I preg check. Now, my Spring breeding season is bigger than my Fall cavling season. Its like 70% Spring calving cows and 30% Fall calving cows. :cboy:

Why are you preg checking in the middle of your breeding season? Are you having them ultrasound checked?

 

[Hill Creek Farm]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

So your cows are rebreeding the day she calves. :shock: Maybe I need to get some of your cows. ;-)

Putting the bulls in for 40 days then preg checking and putting the bulls back in is a waste of time. Just go ahead and put the bulls in for a full 90 days and preg check the following season (Spring for Fall calvers and Fall for Spring calvers). Cull all of the opens. You have few enough cows that they should all be bred in 45 days so anything that is open after 90 should be eaten.
If you want to improve the fertility of your herd put the bulls in for 45 days and preg check in the next season and cull the opens.

Just a question you have 60 cows, some are being flushed, two breeding seasons, and two bulls, how many cows are they breeding per season? 12?

My bulls do stay in for 90 days and I never do pull them out. I already stated that I leave the bulls in when I preg check. Now, my Spring breeding season is bigger than my Fall cavling season. Its like 70% Spring calving cows and 30% Fall calving cows. :cboy:

Why are you preg checking in the middle of your breeding season? Are you having them ultrasound checked?

Yes, I do ultrasound every female to guarantee that the female is bred and to determine the sex of the calf. It is pretty nice. Also, I ultrasound all my herd bulls, before they are sold to my customers. Take care. :cboy:

 

[Tod Dague]

I agree with DOC. I would simplify things....
1)Provide good nutrition and a good vaccination program,
2) AI the cow,
3) follow up with another AI service if she comes back into heat 20 days later,
4) 20 days after that turn a bull loose with the cows. Pull him after 45 days. If you don't want to have to do DNA testing to figure out parentage use a Black ANgus cleanup bull on Herf cows or a Herf bull on solid cows.
5) Preg check all the cows at weaning time and any cow that is NOT bred after an AI service or two and 45 days with a bull is a CULL.

It doesn't really matter whether she is a $370 Longhorn cross commercial cow or a $20,000 Online daughter because if she won't cycle and/or maintain a healthy pregnancy then she isn't worth what you paid for her and is probably not genetics you want to be multiplying anyway.

Well now I do all my vaccnations and I my cows calve every 283 days or maybe a little more, like 290 days. But my cattle don't go for three or four years with out being bred. Listen, I have 30 cowsin one pasture with one bull named Red Oak. Then, I have another 30 head in another pasture with my other bull named Trailblazer. I don't AI. much anymore due to the fact that I have two outstanding herd bulls, its just stupid if I did. :cboy:

:shock: :roll: :dunce: She-e-esh! It's like casting pearls before swine! :nod:

DOC HARRIS

What do you mean by that statement? Take care DOC. :cboy:

So your cows are rebreeding the day she calves. :shock: Maybe I need to get some of your cows. ;-)

Putting the bulls in for 40 days then preg checking and putting the bulls back in is a waste of time. Just go ahead and put the bulls in for a full 90 days and preg check the following season (Spring for Fall calvers and Fall for Spring calvers). Cull all of the opens. You have few enough cows that they should all be bred in 45 days so anything that is open after 90 should be eaten.
If you want to improve the fertility of your herd put the bulls in for 45 days and preg check in the next season and cull the opens.

Just a question you have 60 cows, some are being flushed, two breeding seasons, and two bulls, how many cows are they breeding per season? 12?

My bulls do stay in for 90 days and I never do pull them out. I already stated that I leave the bulls in when I preg check. Now, my Spring breeding season is bigger than my Fall cavling season. Its like 70% Spring calving cows and 30% Fall calving cows. :cboy:

Why are you preg checking in the middle of your breeding season? Are you having them ultrasound checked?

Yes, I do ultrasound every female to guarantee that the female is bred and to determine the sex of the calf. It is pretty nice. Also, I ultrasound all my herd bulls, before they are sold to my customers. Take care. :cboy:

But why are you ultrasound preg checking in the middle of your breeding season? It seems to be a wast of money.

I think this is what some of the others are alluding to. You seem to be doing things to be doing things with out any real plan or thought. You take criticism well but you give no consideration what older wiser and more experience cattlemen are telling you. The only advice I'm going to give you is to open your ears, listen, and give some serious thought as to what they are saying.

This is all that I have to say. Never been a big fan of beating a dead horse.

Best of luck,
Tod

 

[Texan]

Never been a big fan of beating a dead horse.