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Size limit on heifer bulls

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Ned Jr.

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2007
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463
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Colorado
Whats everyone's size limit on bulls being used on heifers? I know there's a lot of things it depends on like how athletic the bull is, what kind of breeder he is, how long the bull is and how big the heifers are but whats your situation and limit?

The reason I'm asking is I'm needing a new heifer bull and have the opportunity to buy a good proven herd bull that works good on heifers but weighs around 2,200-2,300 lbs. The heifers should weigh 800-900 lbs. by May. I have bred heifers with bigger bulls than this guy before and got along alright. I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion is on this subject?
 
As long as your heifers have proper structure, they can handle a fair bit. I know guys that won't breed heifers with a bull hitting a ton, but we have bred lots of heifers 800-900 lbs with bulls 2200-2400 lbs. No big deal.
 
I feel on the hiefers if the bull is in good shape and the footing is good you could be fine.

But if he is a big fat lazy bull that is going to lay on them or if they are on slippery concrete or mud you could have real problems.
 
I've been sorta wondering the same thing. Our heifer bulls are coming 3, and if we breed all the heifers we'll have to use a 4 yr old too. Our bulls won't weigh that much though.
 
Ned Jr. said:
Whats everyone's size limit on bulls being used on heifers? I know there's a lot of things it depends on like how athletic the bull is, what kind of breeder he is, how long the bull is and how big the heifers are but whats your situation and limit?

The reason I'm asking is I'm needing a new heifer bull and have the opportunity to buy a good proven herd bull that works good on heifers but weighs around 2,200-2,300 lbs. The heifers should weigh 800-900 lbs. by May. I have bred heifers with bigger bulls than this guy before and got along alright. I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion is on this subject?
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Hit the Pharo sale in April. You could pick some pretty nice Hereford heifer bulls. I worked 'em. There's about 2 or 3 that are just plain NICE. Anyway, off my soapbox, Check your PM inbox.
 
almost kills me to say it, but I agree with guest1. that is almost the exact way I run heifers. I know of a few nice heifer bulls for sale in Marion Kansas...the guy who took over the Diamond X ranch of Rex Seibert has a few nice ones for sale. pm me for his number
 
My experience a couple of years ago was to put a 2200 pound bull on 900-1,000 char heifers. I exposed 24, and had 17 breed up. Never had had that before or since. I am sure the bull was so big that the heifers did not stand good enough or couldn't support him. I kept the opens, and they have bred up fine since. I will never do it again, it just ain't worth it. Sometime ya try to save a nickel, and it costs a buck.

P.S. The heifers that bred sure calved out easy enough!
 
Not really anything to do with size-it's more the athletic ability of the bull-I've seen a 2500 poiund char bull breed an 8 month old heifer calf-he was pretty catty on his feet. Big overfed duds that hop up and gaze around checking the weather are another story entirely.
 
Northern Rancher said:
Not really anything to do with size-it's more the athletic ability of the bull-I've seen a 2500 poiund char bull breed an 8 month old heifer calf-he was pretty catty on his feet. Big overfed duds that hop up and gaze around checking the weather are another story entirely.
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I think you are right NR, as I have seen and experienced the same thing. I just don't want to add "if" to the equation. Ned, if you really want to use that bull, draw semen and AI.
 
Mrnak Hereford bull sale is Sunday Feb. 15 in Bowman, ND. They have several bulls that will work on heifers. Check them out at www.mrnakherefords.com
 
Thanks for all the opinions everyone. This bull is very athletic. The breeder that owns him only uses a herd bull for 3-4 years then keeps a son or gets something different. I had bought semen on this bull last fall to AI heifers to. Now I have the opportunity to buy him to clean up after himself. :-) He'd have to see some cows also if I do buy him. Decisions decisions.
 
guest1 said:
MYT Farms said:
Ned Jr. said:
Whats everyone's size limit on bulls being used on heifers? I know there's a lot of things it depends on like how athletic the bull is, what kind of breeder he is, how long the bull is and how big the heifers are but whats your situation and limit?

The reason I'm asking is I'm needing a new heifer bull and have the opportunity to buy a good proven herd bull that works good on heifers but weighs around 2,200-2,300 lbs. The heifers should weigh 800-900 lbs. by May. I have bred heifers with bigger bulls than this guy before and got along alright. I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion is on this subject?
Click to expand...

Hit the Pharo sale in April. You could pick some pretty nice Hereford heifer bulls. I worked 'em. There's about 2 or 3 that are just plain NICE. Anyway, off my soapbox, Check your PM inbox.
Click to expand...

frame score 1's and 2's even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a joke
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Know of any other sale that'll sell you heifers and pay you $25 for every calf you have to pull and then cover your vet bill if you need a C-Section? For heifers, they're just perfect. They won't crush a heifer, they'll get 'em bred, and gain weight on the way. What's wrong with that, I pray you?
 
Northern Rancher said:
Not really anything to do with size-it's more the athletic ability of the bull-I've seen a 2500 poiund char bull breed an 8 month old heifer calf-he was pretty catty on his feet. Big overfed duds that hop up and gaze around checking the weather are another story entirely.
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I have to agree- over the years, I've seen 2200+ lb OLD hereford bulls cover a set of heifers like they were tiptoeing thru the tulips- with no problem...Luckily I've never had much problem with heifers breaking down- but I have seen yearling bulls "fall in love" and almost ride one to death...
My first concerns are calving ease and low/moderate birthweight because I'm lazy- oops meant "low input"... I love these new terms they come up with :wink: :P :lol:
 
A number of years ago we had 8 SMALL(#500-600) heifer calves that we wanted to spay. The local vet at the time told us just to give them 2 implants and they would never cycle. We did and turned them out with a small bunch right here by the house that had one bull wqith them. Sold the bull after 45 days of running weight off and he still weighed 2450. Dad had thought he saw one of the heifers bulling so we preged them. All 8 were bred with no injuries. Since then I have never considered weight when selecting which bulls went with the heifers.
 
I wouldn't take a chance with that big of bull. You might get some crippled up heifers or some not bred. Why take the chance? If he is that good, use one of his son's. A virgin bull, even better!
 
guest1 said:
MYT Farms said:
guest1 said:
frame score 1's and 2's even!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a joke
Click to expand...

Know of any other sale that'll sell you heifers and pay you $25 for every calf you have to pull and then cover your vet bill if you need a C-Section? For heifers, they're just perfect. They won't crush a heifer, they'll get 'em bred, and gain weight on the way. What's wrong with that, I pray you?
Click to expand...

Jesus Christ Shakespere take it easy. I pray thee not get thine knickers into ones wad, if thine so chooses to rear miniture beeves then more power to thine.
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Well Sir (Ma'am), I'm sorry you have to resort to making light of my language choice. I'm not sure I call 2000#+ bulls and #1200 to #1300 cows mini's. Using PCC bulls has always been a pleasure. Speaking from personal experience, we get sleep at night in the middle of calving season and if we do experience some trouble, we've learned our lessons and are calving when the grass is greenin' and the weather is warming. Plus, all of the PCC calves we've had grow like weeds. They've consistently weaned respectable weights and the cows have stayed in excellent condition even in drought condition years like this one. Apparently, cattlemen across the nation are experiencing the same results I am because they continue to return to the sale as I do. Although, some put it off several years 'cause their bulls last so long. :D Anyhow, I'm sorry if I offended you. That was not my intent at all. I was simply offering the fact that the average PCC bull won't crush a heifer, is easy calving, and will get them heifers covered. However, don't take my word for it. I encourage you to research it. Here is a PCC Angus cow of ours with a bull calf.


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