 | Jess Daniels is Manager of AGChoice of Hepler. For more information please call 620-368-4347.
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Agriculture
2012-08-01 14:47:16
Best time to breed cows for optimal pregnancy
A- As you no doubt know, there are many factors that play a role in achieving optimal pregnancy rates.
First, consider the breed of the heifer. Some breeds fall in to an early or late maturing categories which determine at what age the bull and heifer reach puberty. Most heifers show signs of heat between 9 to 22 months of age.
It is best to wait until after 15 months of age and after she reaches 60% to 65% of the average weight of the herd to breed. Prior to 15 months, the animal is too small to carry well and tend to have too small of pelvic area to calve out.
Whether heifer or cow, and whether natural or AI, studies prove that the most optimal time to get pregnant is 6-12 hours after first observing standing heat. For AI, it is best to increase the visual observations times as this is critical in getting good pregnancy rates.
You will want to choose a young bull with good calving-ease numbers for natural insemination. It is best to leave him in with the cows long enough to services all of them, typically 60 to 80 days, depending on the size of the herd.
In breeding a cow, it is best to wait 45 to 60 days after her first to breed her again. That time should increase if she is older or in poor condition.
