We've currently got 6 heifers and are planning to lease a bull for two months. My question is if we are to lease the bull starting in mid December, would it be suggested to try to pick up a few more heifers between now and then? Or would that cause more stress upon the heifers we have now and the possible new heifers, causing them to less likely to be impregnated? I was just thinking, that I'm sure with the bull coming in, that'll cause some stress already. I don't know if this is a dumb question or not - Just a thought before we move forward.
Question on Bull Lease and Stress
- Thread starter Mcp220
- Start date
Do you need more heifers?
It won't matter either way. Don't over think it.... water-grass-cow-bull
It won't matter either way. Don't over think it.... water-grass-cow-bull
Yes its a dumb question. The bull or heifers will not feel any stress over the situation. A few more may keep him busy so he don't go a looking for love.
Biosecurity. That would be my main reason for A) not leasing a bull and B) bringing in newcomers.
Mighty Mouse
Well-known member
If you want more heifers, get more heifers. Concern about stress caused by introducing new animals would not factor into my thinking whatsoever.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Mid December is 3 weeks away. Can you find replacement heifers that are not from a stockyard at a decent price? Its very hard this time of the year to find just a few heifers that are good, not already picked through, have good disposition. Your taking a chance when getting heifers from a stockyard of bringing in sickness.
There are some very good producers in your area with the Buckingham Appomattox and other livestock associations so if not already in the group you might contact someone there for help.
There are some very good producers in your area with the Buckingham Appomattox and other livestock associations so if not already in the group you might contact someone there for help.
regolith
Well-known member
Not quite the question I expected from the thread title.
The stress of settling into a new group doesn't prevent successful breeding. I prefer to have bulls on site and accustomed to the farm prior to breeding season though, as trucking stress can be significant.
And for a yearling bull he'll likely be quite happy with 6 - he's going to be bored in three weeks time anyway, whether it was 6 or 15.
What kind of heifers, and how many, are you looking for? I have 7 Jan. 2025 heifers. 1 Black Simm x Chi-Angus, homozygous black. 2 Black Hereford x SG, heterozygous black. 2 red Char x Santa Gertrudis and 2 red Brangus x SG, solid red, of course.
Thank you - This was kind of one of my thoughts. Being so close timing wise, you don't totally know what you are getting and getting them used to the new territory/fencing and then sending the bull out there, could possibly be an issue. My other concern was our current girls getting a little more stressed with all the newbies, causing less chance of getting pregnant as first time heifers.
The bull being leased is a registered, proven bull with all documents. We aren't quite ready to bring a bull in full time just yet. The newbies, I could see being a possible issue if we didn't totally know what we were getting.
I leased a bull last year for some cows and heifers. I iked it. Thought it was a great deal. I had some temperament issues with the one I had but all in all I think it's a great option. The guy we went through requires testing before it's returned.
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chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
Just because an animal is registered with some paperwork doesn't mean it's free of things like Johnes, BVD, etc. Anytime a new animal is brought in there is a risk.
