Hereford bull

[petefarms]

Is a hereford bull able to breed at 8-10 months the same as a holstein, jersey bull can or do they mature later than dairy bulls, thanks.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by petefarms

Is a hereford bull able to breed at 8-10 months the same as a holstein, jersey bull can or do they mature later than dairy bulls, thanks.

Sometimes. Depends on the individual. I usually preferred letting herefords mature to 12 or more months before using them for breeding. But, I do remember a few occasions when one bred a heiffer or two before I thought it was time.

[bruce2288]

yessss

[myersfarm]

I think what people are getting confuse about a bull breeding


Is at 9 months MOST BULLS could bred ONE COW but not 20 to 25 most people wait for the bull to mature till he can bred 20 to 25 which in most breds would be after 16 months old if not closer to 2 years old


I read a study about if you start breeding a bull to earily it will afect him later in life on sperm count

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by myersfarm

I think what people are getting confuse about a bull breeding


Is at 9 months MOST BULLS could bred ONE COW but not 20 to 25 most people wait for the bull to mature till he can bred 20 to 25 which in most breds would be after 16 months old if not closer to 2 years old


I read a study about if you start breeding a bull to earily it will afect him later in life on sperm count

myersfarm is correct. If I used a yearling bull for breeding it was with only a dozen or less cows. By 2 yrs old they could easily handle 25 or even more if the season was lengthened. We usually aimed for a 60 day or so breeding season.

[FEF]

Originally Posted by petefarms

Is a hereford bull able to breed at 8-10 months the same as a holstein, jersey bull can or do they mature later than dairy bulls, thanks.

I wouldn't count on it. It takes 60 days for a bull to create a live sperm cell. So he'd have to start when he's 6 months old to be able to settle a cow at eight months.

The American Angus Assn doesn't recommend fertility testing an Angus bull until they're a year old. And Angus are know for their early fertility. But we didn't leave our heifer and bull calves together after about six months old.

[Karen in Alabam]

Lots of interesting info on this thread. Learned lots, thanks