Fielding milk cow with bull?

[Lady89]

So as things sit my dad and I have our eye on the same out of the way field for 2 very different reasons. it is a field separated from the beef cow heard by 2 strong fences so my dad wants to put the bull in it from now on( we have had a lot of trouble finding a place to put him that he can’t get out of.) But this field is also exactly across the road from me and I was wanting to at some point get a milk cow or 2 and put there. My quest would be is there a way to make this work for both of us. Could the bull (who I intend to bread the girls to anyway) be kept in the same field as my milk cows without driving them crazy? Would he try to breed them all the time or would he know when he had gotten them pregnant? And what other problems would I be running into?

Also the cow’s calves would be in the field as well. Boys would be made into steers and girls would be taken out and put into a heifer herd when they are getting old enough for him to be interested in them.

So how bad an idea is this?

[idigbeets]

He would try to breed when the dairy cows are in heat. Calves are fine w/ a bull, until they come into their first heat... then you'll have problems. Otherwise he'll just be out there hanging out. Its not like the bull does it 24/7. Otherwise, I see no problem w/ it.

[Lady89]

i didn't know if aggression was going to be a problem

[opportunity]

My bulls have been kept with the girls it keeps them happy. The bulls only are interested in the girls when they are in heat at least mine have been. Babies need to be pulled by about 6 months to not have them go into heat and have bull wanting them. My bulls have been great with the babies and play with them and even baby sit not sure if all will do that but the four I have had all did.

[Awnry Abe]

I know of no issues with that combo. Beef bulls are generally less high strung than dairy cows. He will only mount them when it counts. The only issue I can think of is milking time. I don't know if the bull will get nosey and get in the way of things. Probably not.

The worst pairing you can have is a just-weaned calf in with a lactating dairy cow.

Originally Posted by Lady89

i didn't know if aggression was going to be a problem

Not towards the cows. Towards you, maybe.

[Lady89]

i knew i needed to take the girl calves out before their first heat but i was wondering if he will be aggressive to the steers when they start getting older, and the mothers start going back in heat, or if he will ignore them ( i was planning to be fattening any boy calves as steers in the same field as the milk cow mothers but I could just put them in with my dad’s steers if I need to)

[Awnry Abe]

I don't know how much space and confinement we are talking, but I don't foresee any problems there as far as the bull is concerned. I actually buddy-up our weaned steers with our bull when I wean in the spring. Keeps everyone happy. I am certain he will ignore the steers when a cow is in heat. Or at least the steers will keep their distance.

(Absolutely do not put just-weaned steers in with the dairy cows. You'll end up with a bunch of bloody milk and damaged udders.)

[Lady89]

i was planning to use a protective utter bags to prevent sulking. i have 26 to 32 if i clear the smaller unused fields so i can separate out any trouble makers

[msscamp]

Originally Posted by Awnry Abe

I don't know how much space and confinement we are talking, but I don't foresee any problems there as far as the bull is concerned. I actually buddy-up our weaned steers with our bull when I wean in the spring. Keeps everyone happy. I am certain he will ignore the steers when a cow is in heat. Or at least the steers will keep their distance.

(Absolutely do not put just-weaned steers in with the dairy cows. You'll end up with a bunch of bloody milk and damaged udders.)

I wouldn't count on that. Although what you're saying is true most of the time, there can always be a dumb, persistent steer and then all bets are off. Conversely, it is also possible to have a more dominant bull who takes exception to the steers being there and they get hurt.

[msscamp]

Originally Posted by opportunity

Babies need to be pulled by about 6 months to not have them go into heat and have bull wanting them.

Actually, the age to pull heifer calves(and their mothers if necessary) is going to depend on the heifer. Big, growthy heifers can start to cycle a lot earlier than their herd mates, and the owner has to take that into account. We've had heifer calves start cycling at 3 or 4 months of age and calve at around a year old. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen. Just something to think about.

[Lady89]

well thanks guys you have given me a lot to think about