how many cows per bull

[Denny]

We're like Denny, and use 8 bulls with 175 cows all in a big bunch for the first few weeks before they go to pasture. When they get split into pastures, we never leave a bunch with just one bull. Even if the numbers are low, sometimes a bull gets hurt, or whatever, and that extra one can save you.

Ours are all split up with the registered cows these small pastures and groups actually benefit us as we can pick certain type's of cow's for certain bulls. We AI'ed cows starting May 1st until they went to grass the 24th and bulls were turned out on the 3rd of June. All but one of our pastures has just one bull in them the commercials cows have 2 bulls. We do need to check them regular to make sure the bulls are ok and where they belong..

 

[Grassfarmer]

Sure just looking at calves doesn't tell ya conception rates. My point is that a cows job is to put a soggy calf in the weaned pen each fall and to breed back quickly. Both of the above are hard to do without bulls! I'd imagine that if anyone was hauling truck loads of open cows to the salebarn they'd change something! Sorry Soapweed, didnt mean to drag you into something! :wink: Maybe Soap only gets half his cows to settle each year and he's really good at hiding it! :wink:

Be careful what you say to Grassfarmer, he has the best cattle in the world. All of his cows are 25 years old and have twins every year.

Hardly :roll: .... I don't have any cows at 25, don't have any cows that have twins every year. I do work with a breed where the bulls have no problems covering 40-50 cows under reasonable conditions with fairly high conceptions rates (typically ranging from 92-96% on our place)

 

[little bow rancher]

must be nice to not have that many bulls to deal with ,in the past when you stick 36 bulls out with 600 cows ,you know you'll have one with a broken leg,
and it's kinda funny watching those dam yearlings bunch like that

 

[Cal]

how many cows per bull can i run....smaller pastures and 3 year old bulls...i had one not pass the test and im at about 50 cows per bull....do i need to find another bull....this isnt tough country...ive got 3 real good athletic bulls on 150 cows rite now

You might get by. Check them early in the mornings and see if they're worn out or if they can still get the job done.

 

[WB]

One thing not mentioned here was temperature. If the weather stays cool you probably are ok but if you get several days over 90 and warm nights to boot you are short on bull power imho.

 

[Grassfarmer]

Hmm, my neighbor has only 50 cows, he runs them in one group, biggest pasture is 80 acres, calves from March right through to fall and he has 3 mature bulls, 1 2 year old and a yearling running with them.:shock: :shock: I just hope the electric keeps them out of my cows. :roll: