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west central Iowa | I can see where you are coming from. We have not had a problem yet, been doing it many years. When I select heifers to breed from our herd, I select from the first 1/3 or 1/2 of calves born. It seems like if I save a real good heifer from a late breeding cow, usually the heifer ends up being a late breeder in a couple years.
We have noticed that not saving any heifers that have been pulled, has really decreased the number of calves pulled during calving season.
I would like to buy some black heifers to breed. The only downside to this is not having calving or calfhood data to help in decision making.
We have a group of heifers bred in 2006, that don't have longevity in the herd. That would have been first calf crop from new bulls. Dad thinks maybe they got a little thin that first summer. Heifers calving this spring will get silage and ground brome, as needed. I am also going to feed at least 1/2# of 40-20 protien. I may have to get some 1/2 pipe bunks to feed in, when cows don't have access to bunks. | |
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When are you breeding your heifers?
