SRBeef":nu1sghtk said:
What I was looking for is how soon after calving I can put the bull in to get most of the herd bred again on the next 20 day cycle.
I want a pretty tight calving period. I was wondering how soon after calving should the cows be cycling again?
I hear numbers from 2-3 weeks to 60 days (8 weeks). That quite a range.
Summary: If I wait 4 weeks from the date of the last calf then most of them should be ready?
My target is to get almost all calves born within 20 days (1 cycle).
Thanks again for the responses.
Cows generally start cycling 21-45 days post calving, but that doesn't mean they will settle on the first heat after calving. I sure wouldn't put a bull in them for a couple of months post calving. To breed back on the first heat cycle following calving is placing the very heavy burden of asking your cows to maintain their own BCS, supporting a young nursing calf, as well as supporting a developing fetus very soon after the stress of calving. They are not machines, and they need a rest between calving and being bred back. By waiting a few months, the calf is old enough to graze, the burden of milk production is reduced, the cow has had a chance to regain body condition - if necessary - and she will not burn out nearly as fast.
As far as your target goal is concerned - if you're going to dream, dream big! :lol: :lol: