Expert: Karin - 9/22/2011

Question
We have a new group of heifers about 5 months old.  We also have a couple of 5 month old bulls in the same pasture.  At what age do we need to separate the bulls from the heifers to keep them from breeding at too early of an age?  (All of the animals in question are Angus/Braunvieh crosses)  About what age do the heifers begin to cycle?  About what age do the bulls begin to produce semen? Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Kim,

In most cases most producers like to separate the heifers and bulls at weaning, which would be at about this age.  The reason for that is that it just makes things more convenient, and is safer because there's a chance that a heifer or two may begin to start cycling before the optimum age that they're supposed to start cycling.

With Angus-Braunvieh cross cattle, you may see heifers starting to cycle when they are around 10 to 12 months of age, where optimum time to get them bred is at 15 months or later.  Bulls are usually best to start breeding when they reach yearling status (10 to 12 months of age), but may begin to start semen production a few months earlier.   

Hope that answers your question[s]. :)

-Karin