Inchaisri et al. (2012) observed that breeding should be stopped between 14 and 16 months in lactation in first-lactation cows, between 12 and 15 months in lactation in second-lactation cows, and between 10 and 13 months in lactation in third (or greater) lactation cows.
How long can a cow breed?
The data would indicate that cows are consistent in the rebreeding performance through about 8 years of age. A small decline was noted in 1983 as cows aged from 8 to 10 years of age. However the most consistent decline in reproductive performance was noted after cows were 10 years of age.
Does the age of a cow affect reproduction?
The influence of the age of the cow on breeding efficiency reveals a steady increase in the conception rate up to four years of age. Between the ages of five to seven years, inclusive, cows maintain a uniformly high breeding efficiency, which gradually declines with advancing age.
What is the best age to breed a cow?
12 to 14 months
A: Breeding should occur when the heifer reaches puberty. Puberty is a function of breed, age, and weight. Most heifers will reach puberty and be bred by 12 to 14 months of age and will be between 55% and 65% of their mature weight when they first begin to exhibit estrous cycles.
How many years can a bull breed?
Breeding bulls can remain fertile with high quality semen for ten plus years. However, breeding bulls may exhibit infertility at any age. Low fertility can be caused by a number of factors including, frost damaged testicles, testicular infection, poor nutrition, physical injury and genetic predisposition.
Can you breed a 10 year old cow?
When is a cow too old to breed? It really depends on management factors for how the cow is raised and the environment she lives in. Most cows have their last calf around 9 or 10 years of age, but on several occasions, I have witnessed a cow or two survive in a herd well into her teen years under the best management.
How many times can you breed one cow?
After calving, cows resume estrus cycles within 40 to 60 days postpartum. In order to maintain a yearly calving interval, we want cows to be bred within 80 days post calving. Therefore, during a 64-day breeding season, cattle have three opportunities to become bred (once every 21 days).
How many times can a cow get pregnant in its lifetime?
As one local dairyman puts it, cows get their maternity leave for a couple months before they give birth. It usually works out that cows are giving birth every 12-14 months. With the life span of U.S. dairy cows averaging 4-6 years, most cows have 2-4 calves in a lifetime.
What causes a heifer not to breed?
Possible Causes
Improper timing of insemination–breeding too early or too late. Frequently inseminating cattle based on secondary signs of estrus. High incidence of uterine infection. Improper insemination technique or use of semen damaged during storage or handling.
How many babies will a female cow have in her lifetime?
It usually works out that cows are giving birth every 12 to 14 months. With the life span of U.S. dairy cows averaging four to six years, most cows have two to four calves in a lifetime. Question answered by Lindsay Ferlito, regional dairy specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, NNY Regional Agriculture Program.
Should you keep a heifers first calf?
Heifer development is one of the most substantial expenses for beef cattle operations. Time quickly gets away when you’re a cow-calf operator, but it’s essential to keep the first calf heifers on track. Heifers conceiving early in their first breeding season will have increased lifetime production and efficiency.
Why is second breeding of heifers difficult?
“Low blood energy, as a result of poor body condition at calving, generally is the cause of re- breeding failure,” Evans concludes. Compounding the problem is the fact that a first-calf heifer just overcame the greatest physiological stresses of her life.
How big should a heifer be bred?
Normally, it is a good idea to breed heifers one month ahead of the main cow herd; so, we need to get heifers that have a mature weight of 1,200 pounds to weigh 780 pounds by the time they are 12-14 months old.
Can you breed a bull back to his daughter?
You can have father-daughter matings in beef cattle, but it is not recommended. This type of breeding practice is called inbreeding or close breeding. Again, this breeding practice is rarely practiced today, although it was common in the foundation animals of most breeds.
How many bulls do you need for 100 cows?
So, if your stocking rate is one bull to 30 cows (on 100 cows, as in the example), you basically have a little better than three bulls to cover a cow when she’s cycling. If you run a bull to 25 cows, you’ve got four bulls to cover each cycling female, and so on.
Can you breed a bull back to his mother?
What are the do’s and don’ts of breeding a bull to his daughter, mother, granddaughter, or sister? Mating any of the above would result in a high level of inbreeding. Generally speaking, inbreeding of this nature should be avoided.
Can a cow breed with her son?
Mating of beef cattle that are close relatives (brother-sister, sire-daughter, son-dam) produces high levels of inbreeding. Inbreeding generally is detrimental to long-term reproductive performance and growth. Highly inbred cattle are also more susceptible to environmental stress and health problems.
How many years should you keep a cow?
Dairy cows are usually slaughtered at approximately six years of age, or when they can no longer produce milk. The dairy industry pushes the bodies of cows to the brink—for some until they are unable even to stand or walk.
Can you breed a cow to her half brother?
I’ve been asked by several breeders if it is “OK to breed two half-siblings” (usually, a bull and a cow that share the same sire). The short answer is that there is nothing “wrong” with breeding any two animals of any degree of relatedness, as long as one realizes the potential risks and benefits of the mating.
How many cows can 2 bulls breed?
Length of Breeding Season
Mature bulls can breed up to 40 cows during a 60- to 90-day breeding period and sire a high percentage of these calves in the first 40 days of the calving season. If cows are run in large groups, two bulls that are the same age and breed could run with 80 cows.
Is buying a 1/2 cow worth it?
Buying a whole cow or half a cow (not a quarter cow) will get you the best deal. A whole or a half cow is comparable in price when you break down the hanging weight and finished cuts price per pound. But a quarter cow is more expensive than both, running between $8.07 – $13.04 per pound.