Replacement heifers

[trin]

Plan to breed my cross bred cows to get some good replacement heifers. I want them to mature to 1100-1200 lb cows and be tuff cows that can make it without much help. I also would like them to be able to come in heat at 14 months old. My question is would you use Beefmaster, braunvieh, or Saler Semen to produce good replacements.

[ALACOWMAN]

If it was here, I'd use beefmaster...in Kentucky I'd go with the braunvieh... Though it wouldn't be my ""personal"" choice...what is the general makeup of your crossbreds??

[Muddy]

What's in your crossbred cows?

[BRYANT]

Anything with Brahman in it MAY NOT come in heat by 14 months old, some will but some won't.
just my 2 cents.

[Lucky_P]

Earliest-maturing heifers here, have been, year-in/year-out, Simmental-sired - often in heat by 6-7 months of age. 0
Have had a hard time getting high% Angus heifers to cycle by 15-16 months.
First Braunvieh-cross heifers in our herd are just now 14 months... have not seen them in heat yet... but we've made the decision to hold ALL our heifers 'til they're around 18 months to begin breeding... gives them a tick more frame, and seems like fewer of them have difficulty breeding back while raising their first calf.
Have no recent experience with Salers; in the past, bad temperament was an issue. Breeders may have addressed that issue... I dunno.
Depending on where you're located, the Brahman influence from the Beefmaster deal may or may not be a positive. I've seen some BMxAN heifers at select heifer sales here in KY... and they looked fabulous... I doubt the 1/4 Brahman blood would have any negative repercussions, and bred to non-Brahman terminal bulls, I'll bet their calves will mash the scales.

[Stocker Steve]

Earliest-maturing heifers here, have been, year-in/year-out, Simmental-sired - often in heat by 6-7 months of age.

This is for half bloods?
Any observation on quarter bloods?

[Jdwest]

I'd say a brangus or a simmi bull for good quality replacement heifers in kentucky. Here in MS I'd use a brahman, brangus, or some other bull with brahman influence.

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Opposite of what most people think, Simmental is one of the earliest maturing breed - research showed they were the earliest continental breed.

[elkwc]

Lucky P here myself and most I talk too have straight Angus heifers cycling by 7 months on a regular basis. Most of us lute every Angus heifer we wean. Had a man who works at a large auction and works with the vet state that they see a lot of bred Angus heifers before they are 8 months old. Maybe the environment makes a differnce.

[Jdwest]

8 month old bred heifer would scare me to death

[elkwc]

8 month old bred heifer would scare me to death

JD it is nothing we plan and why we try to lute every heifer we wean. Last year I weaned 4 heifers and was out of lute and didn't realize it. So thought I would lute them later. Never happened. In April we had two heifers calve. One we saved the calf and the other we didn't. Luckily we saved both heifers. This summer we had a heifer we knew the age of cycling at 6 months. Yes it scares me and why I lute every weaned PB Angus heifer.

[Jdwest]

8 month old bred heifer would scare me to death

JD it is nothing we plan and why we try to lute every heifer we wean. Last year I weaned 4 heifers and was out of lute and didn't realize it. So thought I would lute them later. Never happened. In April we had two heifers calve. One we saved the calf and the other we didn't. Luckily we saved both heifers. This summer we had a heifer we knew the age of cycling at 6 months. Yes it scares me and why I lute every weaned PB Angus heifer.

I don't blame you for luting every PB angus heifer if you have them cycling that young.

[trin]

What's in your crossbred cows?

They are a little everything. Stockyard specials few longhorn cross. Few small 1100 lb cows. Really like Beefmaster just worry about them coming into heat and really would like to keep them at no more then 1200lbs.

[ALACOWMAN]

What's in your crossbred cows?

They are a little everything. Stockyard specials few longhorn cross. Few small 1100 lb cows. Really like Beefmaster just worry about them coming into heat and really would like to keep them at no more then 1200lbs.

Early maturity is a beefmaster trait...the longhorn might knock that in the head though.. you pick the right BM bull...deep,soggy, good boned..will make a good moma maker...don't just run out and grab the first one you see..deal with a good cow man.. That knows what his cattle can do for you...

[Nesikep]

On the Salers, I've *heard* that they've come a long way in temperament... They are known to be protective mothers though, and "one man cows"... It does depend a lot on the herd they come from, and on the individuals too.. My highest percentage remaining Saler cows (4 of them at 25%) are the most people loving and friendly of the herd.. go figure!
Salers take a bit of good food and time to really show their potential, but we never had trouble breeding them by 14-15 months.. They are definitely GREAT for calving ease and will usually improve udders and legs

My last 1/2 Saler cow (Herf other half) at 15



Her shorthorn sired daughter with Gelbvieh sired grandddaughter.. Both are excellent cows.