At what age are heifers usually bred?

Historically, heifers were first bred at 2 yr of age, but as beef production systems have become more intensive over the last few decades, more and more producers have bred their heifers as yearlings to calve first at 2 yr of age.

How old should a heifer be before you breed her?

A: Breeding should occur when the heifer reaches puberty. Puberty is a function of breed, age, and weight. Most heifers will reach puberty and be bred by 12 to 14 months of age and will be between 55% and 65% of their mature weight when they first begin to exhibit estrous cycles.

At what age do heifers come into heat?

Depending on the breed of the heifer, most heifers will start to show the first signs of heat when they are between 9 and 22 months of age. The rate of sexual maturity or puberty is determinate of genes and breeding.

Can a heifer be bred at 6 months?

The range in age at puberty based on breed can be from 6 months to 18 or 20 months of age. With the goal to have heifers calve at 24 months, heifers need to be bred by 14 or 15 months of age.

Should you keep a heifers first calf?

Time quickly gets away when you're a cow-calf operator, but it's essential to keep the first calf heifers on track. Heifers conceiving early in their first breeding season will have increased lifetime production and efficiency.

When are heifers ready to breed, my thoughts.

How often do heifers go into heat?

After puberty, a heifer continues to have regular estrous cycles every 21 days (the normal range is every 18 to 24 days). The estrous cycle in cattle is complex and regulated by several hormones and organs (see Figure 1).

How long does a heifer stay in heat?

The key sign is that the female coming into heat will "stand" and be ridden. This will last anywhere from 12 to 18 hours with a range of 8 to 30 hours. Remember that ovulation in beef females does not occur at the time of standing heat (estrus) and will occur 12 to 18 hours after the end of standing heat.

How big do heifers need to be to breed?

We would like for her to weigh at least 65% of her mature weight at first breeding, or at least 780 pounds. This "target weight" is important because if heifers are better developed, they will cycle and breed better.

How can you tell when a heifer is in heat?

How many times can you breed a heifer?

Theoretically, a cow could give birth more than once during a year if she rebreeds quickly. Good management practices when raising cattle recommend waiting to rebreed cattle until their calves are older. If a cow rebreeds within 82 days of calving, she will give birth in one year.

Can you breed a bull to his daughter?

You can have father-daughter matings in beef cattle, but it is not recommended. This type of breeding practice is called inbreeding or close breeding. Again, this breeding practice is rarely practiced today, although it was common in the foundation animals of most breeds.

How many times will a bull breed the same cow?

Therefore, a 15-month-old bull should be able to service approximately 15 cows in a typical 60-day breeding season. Some data have been published that indicate that experienced bulls that pass a breeding soundness exam can service as many as 60 females in a 70-day season without pregnancy rates being compromised.

How old are heifers when they are first artificially inseminated?

The decision to breed heifers to calve between 22 and 23 months of age needs to begin before they are ready for first insemination. Set goals and monitor growth to ensure replacement heifers are reaching breeding size targets by 12 to 13 months of age.

How long after having a calf can a cow get pregnant?

It takes at least 30 days after calving for a cow's reproductive tract to return to normal. Therefore, some cows can be bred starting 45-60 days after calving. Your veterinarian should palpate the reproductive tract of each cow as soon after 30 days after calving as possible to make sure the cow is ready to breed.

How can you tell if a heifer is pregnant?

Heifers that are "virgin" or not yet conceived will have an under-developed udder that is only resembled by the presence of four small teats tucked up under their belly between their hind legs. As they progress into their gestation period, the udder gradually becomes more prominent until she gives birth.

Can a yearling bull breed cows?

The accepted rule of thumb is that a bull can breed one cow per month of age. During the first breeding season with a yearling bull, observe the herd at least daily to determine if the bull is following, mounting and servicing cows in heat. Note cows being bred and see if they are coming back into heat 21 days later.

How long is a heifer pregnant?

Gestation length ranges from 279 to 287 days. For most breeds, 283 days would be common. Cows carrying bull calves tend to have a slightly longer gestation compared to cows carrying heifer calves.

What is the best bull to put on heifers?

A true heifer bull will have calving ease EPDs well above breed average. However, in most cases, bulls within maternal-based breeds such as Angus, with only moderately high calving ease EPDs are suitable to use on well-developed heifers within continental breeds such as Simmental.

Why do heifers mount each other?

Cows indicate reproductive receptivity by homosexual mounting, where the cow exhibiting the standing reflex is receptive, not necessarily the mounting cow. Mounting cows, although not necessarily receptive, are usually approaching receptivity so their activity indicates they may benefit from the presence of a bull.

Can you breed a bull back to his mother?

What are the do's and don'ts of breeding a bull to his daughter, mother, granddaughter, or sister? Mating any of the above would result in a high level of inbreeding. Generally speaking, inbreeding of this nature should be avoided.

Can a cow be bred while nursing a calf?

If a cow is in both poor condition and lactating, she probably will take months to rebreed. Also, if she is a two- or three-year-old cow, has a large-frame, or is a heavy-milking cow, she may not breed back at all. Lactation greatly exaggerates the effects of poor nutrition and can slow the return of estrous.

Can you leave a bull with cows year round?

The good news is: It is possible to leave bulls with the cows year-round and still maintain a calving season of three months or less.

Will a bull mount a pregnant cow?

True oestrus begins when the female assumes the mating stance so that the male may mount and copulate. It does not normally occur during pregnancy in farm animals, although it is known to occur sporadically in cattle.

Will a bull mate with the same cow twice?

All this is based on the shocking scientific discovery that a bull will never mate with the same cow twice.

What is the best time to AI a cow?

In herds where observations occur less than four times daily, AI should be performed within 4 to 6 hours after first observation. In herds where observations for heat are more frequent (more than three times per day) breeding should occur approximately 6 to 12 hours after first observing standing heat.