What age is ideal to breed heifers?

[Ky hills]

We haven't had to vaccinate here for Brucellosis for quite a few years. When we were having to do it, our vet at the time liked to do it at 6 months of age.

 

[76 Bar]

I'm in California, how important is the bangs vaccine?

VERY important & crucial that they be vaccinated within the age constraints window.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/Brucellosis_Info.html

 

[Vschoettle]

Some excellent info here, thank you to all! This will be my first go round with breeding heifers. I am getting them in May, so I'm pretty excited to start the registered side of things (currently have commercial Herefords). I'm in California, how important is the bangs vaccine? I figured if I get the heifers in May, they will be about 12 months old. I'll have the vet come do a pelvic measurement and talk to her about Bangs vaccine too. I plan on breeding for spring calving too.

You have to consider all factors: maternal genetics, birthing ease EPDs of the bull (maternal and paternal). How big are your heifers? I will offer this advice: don't grain first time heifers too much while they are with calf as you are giving straight up carbs that will dramatically increase the size of the prodigy; good, clean hay with plenty of minerals will suffice. I wish you the best