Longhorn bull and heifer question

[THEBUS]

I have a longhorn bull - 20 months old - in with two 22 month old longhorn heifers. He has been in with them for about 9 months now. The heifers used to bleed really bad once a month or so and now bleed very little - if at all. Now they have a clear discharge with minor blood every month or so. The bull still seems interested in them - but not as much as when I first put them together. He mounted one the other day - the day after that, she started this discharge.

I'm new to cattle and figured mother nature took care of this stuff. I didn't think the bull would have anything to do with the heifers after they were bred. Maybe they are not bred?

Just curious if this sounds normal or if it sounds like something is wrong?

The heifers look good and fat - the bull does to - and their bags look maybe a little bigger.

Is there any way to tell if they are pregnant short of taking them to the vet?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Clif

 

[jerry27150]

maybe you need to get the bull semen tested, would think they would have gotten bred before now

 

[Frankie]

I'd agree with Jerry, get the bull fertility tested. Cows will often show a bit of blood after they ovulate. If they are standing for the bull to mount them, they're still cycling (not bred). Did you raise the bull? If he has worked in another herd, he might have brought some sort of disease into your pasture. The only for sure way to tell if they're bred is to have them palpated by someone experienced, generally a vet, but some ranchers and dairymen do palpation, too. Good luck...

 

[J. T.]

I've never raised Longhorns, but according to some texts, they mature late. However, a coming two year old that can't settle cows is something to be concerned about.
J. T.

 

[THEBUS]

Thanks for the info. This is my first go around with cattle and wasn't sure what to expect. What kind of cost should I expect for these test? For the bull? For the heifers?

Thanks,

Clif

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

I've never raised Longhorns, but according to some texts, they mature late. However, a coming two year old that can't settle cows is something to be concerned about.
J. T.

We raise registered Longhorns. True, they are long-lived and can calve into their early 20's. Some of our best producing cows are in their early to mid-teens.

Our 1st calf heifers are exposed to a smaller longhorn bull at about 14 months to have a calf by age 2. Our young bulls are semen tested at 14 months; if they test good, are put with a heifer. If one happens to shoot blanks (extremely rare event) after the 2nd jump and semen test, he would be banded and sent to sale barn as a steer. We don't ever take an intact bull to sale barn.

Any new bull (raised or one purchased, as well as mature bull purchased) should have a semen test/evaluation before even considering putting it with one's females.

 

[Frankie]

Thanks for the info. This is my first go around with cattle and wasn't sure what to expect. What kind of cost should I expect for these test? For the bull? For the heifers?

Thanks,

Clif

I'd check the bull first. Cost for a fertility check varies from vet to vet. Get on the phone, call around and tell them your problem and see what they'd charge. If he's ok, then talk to the vet about checking the heifers. Good luck...

 

[stocky]

in my area it is 25-35 dollars to have a vet semen check a bull. i usually just take the bull on a sale day at an auction and have him semen checked while i am watching the sale, 25 dollars at the auction i do this at. 35 at the vet clinic. if the heifers are making a bag, you should be able to "bump" them. that means to stand on their right side and put your fist against their side behind and below the rib cage and push in. if they are bred over 7 months you should feel the calf when you push in, the further you go and the less you feel the calf, the less time she is bred. if she is within a month, you will feel a big hard calf sitting there when you push your fist in. you may have to move your fist higher or lower or forward or back just a little, not all calves sit exactly the same

 

[Campground Cattle]

There is a rancher on Hwy 69 out of Hunnington that has quite a few Longhorns the only other big bunch that I know of is in Hardin on Hwy 146. Might be able to get some Longhorn help from one of them.

 

[Rustler9]

I raise registered Texas Longhorns and we usually will put a young bull in with a few heifers at about 15 months old. I've never had one that wouldn't settle a heifer although I'm sure that there are exceptions in any breed. My 17 months old bull is constantly trying to mount anything in sight whether it's bred or not. It's just that young man hormonal thing if you know what I mean. I would get the heifers checked though. We usually try to breed them starting at 15 or 16 months old. Hope yours are bred.

 

[THEBUS]

Thanks for the help. The heifers look like they are growing so maybe everything is o.k.. Thay also have stoped their monthly bleeding. Thanks again.