Preg check results with decent feed

[Stocker Steve]

What would a typical % open be for first calf heifers?

 

[TexasBred]

What would a typical % open be for first calf heifers?

Guess it depends on the number of heifers involved. Ordinarily heifers are very fertile especially if they have adequate body condition. With my wife doing the breeding I'd expect 100%. The same for natural service as long as you had enough good fertile agressive bulls.

 

[Jake]

While you would like to see 100% pregnancy rates, for budgeting and planning purposes I'd look for around a 5% open rate. Your almost guaranteed to have a non-breeder or a female with reproductive tract problems.

 

[Aero]

With my wife doing the breeding I'd expect 100%. The same for natural service as long as you had enough good fertile agressive bulls.

you really believe AI can be as effective as any old random bull?

 

[novaman]

With my wife doing the breeding I'd expect 100%. The same for natural service as long as you had enough good fertile agressive bulls.

you really believe AI can be as effective as any old random bull?

AI is more effective than ANY bull if you know what your doing.

 

[EAT BEEF]

Are you asking about virgin heifers or heifers breeding back after their first calf?

We preg checked today.If the vet is right i'd say the bulls did pretty good and so did we,but we only A.I.'d three cows this year.I don't miss A.I.ing a hundred plus cows at all and all I did was run them in the chute my wife dose the work.

 

[Oldtimer]

What would a typical % open be for first calf heifers?

Around here- 60-65 % AI bred is good--with cleanup bulls you should be in the 90+% rate.... Much of our breedup around here depends on "groceries"- and this spring we had good rain -which means good grass- which means a good breed up with maternal type bred cattle....
Too bad the rain quit and we only ended up with 9.75 inches so far this fall... :(

 

[SRBeef]

Seems to me as a beginner that if a heifer or cow is exposed to a bull (that's passed a recent BSE) for 45 days (2 cycles) or more they should preg check as bred. If they are not they need to take a a trailer ride. If you keep this heifer hoping for better next year it seems like you risk gradually slipping down on the percentage pregnant. Preg rate should be 100% of the keepers. Jim

 

[Stocker Steve]

Are you asking about virgin heifers or heifers breeding back after their first calf?

.quote]

We average about 85% in 45 days with 650# virgin heifers. We don't do repo scoring... The non breeders were some of the fleshier ones - - I think a couple got too fat on our improved pastures. Have you seen this?

My question is on breeding back after the first calf.

 

[dun]

Are you asking about virgin heifers or heifers breeding back after their first calf?

.quote]

We average about 85% in 45 days with virgin heifers. I think a couple got too fat on our improved pastures. Have you seen this?

My question is on breeding back after the first calf.

I think the benchmark that is used by the experts for predicting profitability is either 95 or 98 percent. In my opinion the percentage should be the same for virgin heifrs, second calvers or mature cows.

 

[Stocker Steve]

My question is on breeding back after the first calf.

[/quote]

I think the benchmark that is used by the experts for predicting profitability is either 95 or 98 percent. In my opinion the percentage should be the same for virgin heifrs, second calvers or mature cows.[/quote]

When you say benchmark do you mean target?
I hear a lot of herds that cull 15% or more for beig open...

 

[dun]

My question is on breeding back after the first calf.

I think the benchmark that is used by the experts for predicting profitability is either 95 or 98 percent. In my opinion the percentage should be the same for virgin heifrs, second calvers or mature cows.[/quote]

When you say benchmark do you mean target?
I hear a lot of herds that cull 15% or more for beig open...[/quote]
The benchmark meaning higher cull rates for reproduction (lower percentage of bred) is a large part of the difference between satisfacoty profit and not. I think it's Harlan Hughes that babbles about that. He says the average herd has a 92% preg rate with a high herd having 100%.
The target should be 100%

 

[Stocker Steve]

Sounds like 92% bred is the average for well managed herds.

 

[Aero]

AI is more effective than ANY bull if you know what your doing.

i think that comment just shot any credence of previous or future statements.

 

[TexasBred]

With my wife doing the breeding I'd expect 100%. The same for natural service as long as you had enough good fertile agressive bulls.

you really believe AI can be as effective as any old random bull?

Absolutely if your AI protocol is proper and your AI technician is as good as mine. (my wife) :clap: If not then you're peeing in the wind...get a bull or several.

 

[TexasBred]

AI is more effective than ANY bull if you know what your doing.

i think that comment just shot any credence of previous or future statements.

I'd only change one letter in the comment to make it move precise and that would be to change ANY to MANY. Amazing how many people think they are good at AI'ing and how many vets think they are the best at palpating. The vet can get by with it....if you do your own AI'ing time will catch up with you and you're fooling nobody but yourself.....but as I posted above IF you really are good you can outdo the bull, breed to better bulls and get it done in one service. If AI doesn't work for you then find the reason... don't condemn the concept.

 

[novaman]

AI is more effective than ANY bull if you know what your doing.

i think that comment just shot any credence of previous or future statements.

I'd only change one letter in the comment to make it move precise and that would be to change ANY to MANY. Amazing how many people think they are good at AI'ing and how many vets think they are the best at palpating. The vet can get by with it....if you do your own AI'ing time will catch up with you and you're fooling nobody but yourself.....but as I posted above IF you really are good you can outdo the bull, breed to better bulls and get it done in one service. If AI doesn't work for you then find the reason... don't condemn the concept.

Your right TB. I should have said many. I do firmly believe that AI is more effective though. Aero you obviously don't feel the same and that's your choice. I have no problems with my "bulls" being infertile as every straw I pull from the tank is good, viable semen. While more work than NS, I watch my cows for heat constantly and catch anestrous cows during breeding season rather than at preg check months down the road. I can use genetics that far exceed anything I can get in a NS bull. There are probably other aspects that make it more effective that I can't think of right now. The point is NS is less labor intensive, but you can pay dearly for such a convenience. One bull going bad during a breeding season will cost you thousands.

 

[dun]

There are probably other aspects that make it more effective that I can't think of right now. The point is NS is less labor intensive,

Noy from the effective standpoint more from the convenience is that you KNOW when the cow is bred so you have a better expectation of when she'll calve.

 

[EAT BEEF]

How much better do you think A.I. bulls are? I have owned two bulls that have gone on to be used rather heavy A.I.,I didn't give over $4,000 for either one.I most be stupid but I thought they were just bulls.IMO just as many cow herds have been hurt by A.I. as have been helped.

 

[TexasBred]

How much better do you think A.I. bulls are? I have owned two bulls that have gone on to be used rather heavy A.I.,I didn't give over $4,000 for either one.I most be stupid but I thought they were just bulls.IMO just as many cow herds have been hurt by A.I. as have been helped.

Do you own any $200,000 bulls?? I don't either, but I have several calves on the ground and several more due from a bull that sold for that much. Never the less, you need to breed to bulls you feel will help correct any weakness the mother might have while also complimenting the solid and strong traits. When dairying we began breeding simply for milk, then went to improve feed and legs, then to fancy udders. Also by developing "cow families" (several generations) we learned that no matter what the EPD's were on a bull or how highly he was promoted he just did not work with that family. I don't mind paying $30-$50 a stray to get a really good cow bred to a really good bull that I know will result in superior offspring.