Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Posted: **Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:44 pm**

umm, I feel the need to create a new and different discussion item after following the Bluetongue discussion. So here goes. Our herd consists of a breeding bull, two pregnant cows (due Feb/Mar), two pregnant heifers (due Dec/Jan) and two 6 and 7 month old steers. They all live the life of riley in a 11 acre field and 4 acre paddock. Advice requested please on the following:

1. With the impending births, when should I separate my breeding bull from female calves to avoid risk of him catching them too early ? Should this be shortly after, or some time later (and if so when) ? Clearly I'll need him to service the mothers again.
2. As the steers get increasingly larger and rougher, should we separate them from the breeding cows ? Most breeders I've visited seem to keep them separate, but I never thought to ask why
3. Any reason why I shouldn't keep my steers with the breeding bull together for company, but separated from the mothers and calves. I assume he'll need some female companionship to keep him happy

Reason I ask now is that I need to plan more fencing to create additional enclosures, as its pretty much open plan at the moment.

Colin

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:44 am**

Point one, the more you split up your herd, the more complex the situation becomes. But of course you have to. Just minimise it.

I have seen my bull taking an interest in female calves at 3 months and just over, and I always remove females prior to that point or earlier if at all possible. That to me is number one problem.

I keep my steers according to what I want them to eat and also to ensure they never go backwards carcass-wise. So I will always want them to have the very best grazing, especially in their last 4-6 months. With the cows, which I try and keep fit and not too fat to avoid fertility problems/prolapses etc, are kept on less good, but still OK grazing, except when coming up to calving when their intake requirement increases considerably and I either supplement their feeding or move them to better grazing.

Groups of steers can become very rough when it's a bunch of lads, but tend to be quieter and better behaved when they are in the presence of the cows who tell 'em to behave themselves. (Does this sound familiar to you Colin :;): ). I prefer to put some cows with my steers if I can, especially the cows that aren't prone to becoming over-fat.

I put my bull back with cows one month'ish after calving.

I keep young bulls with young steers and they are a bunch of hooligans. I would imagine that if I put the senior bull in with them, he would control and improve the situation. But I've never done it.

Other people will have different views but these are mine.

Posted: **Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:22 pm**

I agree with Clive. Definitely steers are much better behaved if running with cows, especially their mothers!

Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Herd Planning