Age of heifer at first service

andy simmons · Post by **andy simmons** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:11 pm

At what age do you have your heifers before first serving? I'm sure there is a consensus!

Thanks

Andy

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:43 pm

Depends how big they are.
Long to long, usually 15 months onwards.
Long bull on short heifers 18 months at the earliest but definately no longer than 24 months. I have a senior bull that i tend not to use on short heifers unless they are well built, i use a junior bull on them otherwise.

Peter thornton · Post by **Peter thornton** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:23 pm

I used to put them all to the bull at 15 months. I never had any calving problems (Just to be clear, I'm talking about half a dozen or so)

However, last year I had 2 heifers and decided to breed from one and eat the other. A year later and the one that I didn't breed from looks a much better cow. Because she's not been pregnant too young? I don't know really. The problem is that the other one hasn't worked out all that well (although the calf is a super one) and doesn't have the right "look" Unfortunately I can't get it to the butchers within 30 months unless I wean it early.

I'm now wondering if I should wait until they are 24 months before making the choiuce and putting them to the bull. What do others think?

clacko · Post by **clacko** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:59 pm

several years ago my boss wouldn't even consider putting a bull or a.i to heifers until they were 2years, he used to be sneered at in comercial dairy rings for not getting the most out of his stock, but when he started showing it all turned full circle with his cattle being a better stamp than most of the others, and then worth more. he would argue the importance of letting the young stock mature fully before putting in calf. it all depends on what you want out of what you have.
paul