Bull service (at what age for the bull?)

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If I bought a bull calf born in march 2001 would he be able to perform his duties by july or august of 2002? I have the choice of Angus or limosine.

-- Tom (Calfarm@msn.com), August 27, 2001

Answers

Response to Bull service

He can do the deed much sooner than that if he grows fast enough. Though not ready to become a herd bull yet, he will probably be getting pretty randy by Jan., 2002. I have a angus calf that was born on Mar.10, He is already starting to sniff the cows.

-- gary (gsimpson3621@hotmail.com), August 27, 2001.

My Holstein bulls usually can breed on a hit or miss basis by 10 months. By 12 months they are usually in full gear. Like Gary says, make sure he's well grown to get him going fast. If he's too short and can't reach the cows it doesn't matter how old he is . . .

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), August 27, 2001.

Avoid the Limousin like the plague. I've heard far to many stories about their killing cows by siring an extremely large calf. Angus calves are small at birth but grow well. Plus they usually bring a slight premium when sold.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 27, 2001.

I have to apologize to both you and the Limousin breed. It is the Simmenthal which has a bad reputation for siring calves most other breeds cannot handle. Sorry about the bum information.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 30, 2001.

Charlois and Maine-Anjou are the leaders in calving difficulties. I bottle raised Holsteins and, even breeding to an Angus or Brangus, they would have problems because the calf would frame out like the Holstein.

-- Frances Burt (fsburt@msn.com), November 04, 2001.


First, the bull calf she be able to handily perform his duties as long as you don't overbreed him, say 15-20 cows.

Second, before you clowns start knocking a breed, get your facts straight. I agree Charlois are hard calvers. Simmental can be. And so can Maine Anjou, but look at the context. People that have these problems don't know what the hell they are doing. They take cattle like Maine Anjou that weigh 2-3000 lbs in France and breed the to a dinky 1000 lb. Angus or Hereford....duh what do you think you would get if Shaq O'neal got a 14 year old 5 foot 90 lb girl pregnant?

There are many bulls in the Maine breed that are calving ease related. If you don't want calving problems, breed to a longhorn or angus, but then again you won't have to worry about a bigger payoff at weaning time either.

Good day.

-- Mike Morris (meriwether29@hotmail.com), April 13, 2002.


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