medicinewoman
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ANAZAZI
As a woman I think I may be a little more familiar with the female reproductive process then most men, so please hear me out.
It is not uncommon for a woman to be either early or late getting her period.
Nor is it uncommon for her to deliver her baby either early or late.
All I am saying is, there is a variance to a 21 day heat cycle and a 283 day gestation time with cows, the same as there is with woman, that must be taken into consideration when setting a short breeding season ( 60 days ) which can start immediately after the first birth.
And there is a variance between the cows as to when they give birth and their first cycle after giving birth, which must also be considered.
And last and most important, if you used a 60 day breeding cycle last year to produce this years calves, then you entire herd will already be spread over 60 days when calved out.
So, if you start your breeding season ( 60 days ) in the middle of your calving season ( 30 days ) when only half your cows have given birth and pull the bull from the cows in total of 60 days, at least 30% of your herd will not be breed.
Now here is how we calculated it back when we believed there was a financial gain in having a one time yearly uniformed calf crop.
Variances = 14 days
Recuperation and recycle time = 30 days ( with variances 44 days )
Herd spread = 60 days.
For a total of 104 days , which puts it over the 82 days available to accomplish all of the above if you are going to produce 1 calf per year.
Leaving us 22 days past being able to produce a 100% 1 calf per year crop.
So we extended our breeding season to 90 days to make up for the 22 days we needed to get down to the 84 days available to produce 1 calf per year and have a once a year calf crop, while at the same time limiting our open times.
The bulls were introduced to the cows 45 days after the first calf hit the ground and removed 90 days later resulting in a 95% calving rate within the 90 day calving season for that year.
Calves were sold in two lots 90 days apart with lighter calves in both lots to lower the average lot weight which resulted in a higher price per pound for the heavier calves.
10 of the best performing cow's heifer calves were retained as replacement heifers in an attempt to lower breed back time even further .
MW
Thank you I do appreciate that.Seriously; I think
As a woman I think I may be a little more familiar with the female reproductive process then most men, so please hear me out.
It is not uncommon for a woman to be either early or late getting her period.
Nor is it uncommon for her to deliver her baby either early or late.
All I am saying is, there is a variance to a 21 day heat cycle and a 283 day gestation time with cows, the same as there is with woman, that must be taken into consideration when setting a short breeding season ( 60 days ) which can start immediately after the first birth.
And there is a variance between the cows as to when they give birth and their first cycle after giving birth, which must also be considered.
And last and most important, if you used a 60 day breeding cycle last year to produce this years calves, then you entire herd will already be spread over 60 days when calved out.
So, if you start your breeding season ( 60 days ) in the middle of your calving season ( 30 days ) when only half your cows have given birth and pull the bull from the cows in total of 60 days, at least 30% of your herd will not be breed.
Now here is how we calculated it back when we believed there was a financial gain in having a one time yearly uniformed calf crop.
Variances = 14 days
Recuperation and recycle time = 30 days ( with variances 44 days )
Herd spread = 60 days.
For a total of 104 days , which puts it over the 82 days available to accomplish all of the above if you are going to produce 1 calf per year.
Leaving us 22 days past being able to produce a 100% 1 calf per year crop.
So we extended our breeding season to 90 days to make up for the 22 days we needed to get down to the 84 days available to produce 1 calf per year and have a once a year calf crop, while at the same time limiting our open times.
The bulls were introduced to the cows 45 days after the first calf hit the ground and removed 90 days later resulting in a 95% calving rate within the 90 day calving season for that year.
Calves were sold in two lots 90 days apart with lighter calves in both lots to lower the average lot weight which resulted in a higher price per pound for the heavier calves.
10 of the best performing cow's heifer calves were retained as replacement heifers in an attempt to lower breed back time even further .
MW