To pass, 60 percent must calve in 21 days

[PureCountry]

4Diamond I was referring to a 45 day season. We've ran 50 cows with 1 bull before on 160-320 acres, little to no cross-fencing and had 45+ in the first cycle, the last few in the 2nd cycle. Done it lots. We use good mineral, and cull hard for bulls that can't get it done.

Also been standard practice around here for years that we only keep bulls and heifers back that were born in the first cycle. I don't have scientific data to back up that practice, but I know my herd, and I'm happy with 80-85% in the first cycle, everything else in the 2nd cycle, without grain or silage. Works for me.

 

[scout]

I had the shortest calving season I ve ever had this year 30 days 50 head of cows . usally run about 40 days but we run excessive bull power I know bulls are costly but a average gain of 2 lbs a day on a calve and you gain 42 lbs in 21 days at lets say 1.50 a pound that is 63 dollars a head say on 30 % of a 100 cow outfit comes to $ 1890.00 dollars a year keep bulls till they are 4 means 3 calf crops is $5670 dollars over the life time of a bull. that's not counting the value of the cows that get bred and don't return open in the fall. we run a bull to about every 15 cows. are pastures are small but they are really rough and brushy.with are fall herd we also get to utilize are bulls more I think another component is bull libidio has a lot to do with conception.[/quote]

 

[cowman52]

Ialways love these articles, the way to make money in the cow business is to sell your factory.
Sure in an ideal world, cow ought to calve in 21 days, heck in an ideal world they ought to calve in ONE.
You can't jack with mother nature, sure you can mineral, vaccinate, test, check, prod, and don't forget EPD out the wazoo, but gentelmen, this ain't an exact science and never will be.
I've been breeding cows A I. since I was 16 and you can do everything just right and she still ain't bred.