Soon to be first calf heifers

[B Moore]

I have eight heifers now about 13/14 months old, which I will add to the herd. They are cross breeds from a Hereford bull and Angus/Salers cows. Great body condition.

My question is: what are the criteria needed before bringing in the bull?

I have heard the age should be around 18 months and weight 800 to 900 pounds. I don't have scales as yet so will have to guesstimate the weight (by comparing the girls to their full-grown moms).

Thanks in advance...

 

[dun]

14-15 months and approximatley 65% of their expected mature weight

dun

 

[sidney411]

Ideally you want to breed them to calve about 24 mts old. I like to have my heifers bred by 15 mts old to achieve this. It all depends on the breed, size and maturity of your heifers though.

 

[B Moore]

Thanks for the info. Looks like the girls are about to get a boyfriend. I saw the neighbor's bull taking notice this week. Gotta keep him at bay. Based on y'all's info will turn in our bull in June - presume that sounds reasonable. They are healthy with good condition and definitely about 65% of their mamas.

Now for the calving experience in 9 months or so.

 

[MoGal]

May 20th would give you March 1st calves.

I got so anxious waiting and wondering what kind of calves I would get I didn't plan too well........ heifers started calving in Jan and Feb. (of course we've not had a Feb. like 2007 for several years). Needless to say, I won't do that again... and its entirely possible next February could be 70 degrees most days, but we won't have any heifers calving that month.

Also if you've got a feed store close by or grain mill....... go weigh empty truck and trailer and then with your heifers in it and you'll know what they weigh.

 

[B Moore]

I agree with the Jan/Feb new borns, the weather can be difficult. But having said that, I keep hearing the sermon that that is the best time for calving.

Before I assumed the responsibility for this small operation from my father-in-law, I recall having to carry a newborn from a snow covered field some two hundred yards of so to the barn. I thought at the time 'that did not make a whole lot of sense.