Breeding Life Of A Cow

[Hotflash]

What is the breeding life of a cow. Does she reach a point in her reproductive life the the percent of her getting pregnant drops off? With a horse once they reach around age 12-13 the percentage drops to 15% so you can get her pregnant but it takes more care needs to do so. Do you treat you olders cows different then the younger ones?

[Caja Ranch]

Since we confine cattle it comes down to our care for them. We have to provide them with what they need because they can't go forage for what nature tells them. So minerals etc. plays a big part. Also depends on use of drugs etc. for flushing and so on. In the wild a cow may or may not be around as long as we keep them. If they are in good condition I don't treat younger or older cows any different. If you feed up a older cow in the spring she can make a big calf that gives her trouble calving just like a HF having her first calf so all that has to be taken into account.

[Rafter M]

Hey Hotflash, I've got some cows that are around 15 years old and still spitten calves out every year. And by a vets physical, he says the shape they are in could produce for another couple years..I think it is all in how well the cows are taken care of....................

[Brian Gifford]

What is the breeding life of a cow. Does she reach a point in her reproductive life the the percent of her getting pregnant drops off? With a horse once they reach around age 12-13 the percentage drops to 15% so you can get her pregnant but it takes more care needs to do so. Do you treat you olders cows different then the younger ones?


It all depends on if longevity is bred into them. Our Pacific Bell calf (Grasshopper grandson on dams side) is 14 yrs. old and breeds 20+ cows- live cover.

An NFR bull we raised called Heck The Speck (back in the 90's) was hauled by Marvin Brookman- they bucked that bull till he was 13 yrs. old. He was always up for it and enjoyed a lengthy retirement.

Have several cows in their late mid to late teens that never miss and aren't late. We run em out tough and they have to earn their keep. Not much extra fancy care- we breed them to be tough and to live a long time.

Our bucking horses are the same way. Have a 23 yr. old mare that runs out, knows how to take of herself and brings a colt in every yr. Hardly ever have a mare quit producing until they pass away in their late teens to mid 20's.; but longevity is traits we've always considered when crossing our animals.

[Hotflash]

Do you keep records on your cows and their production. Do people keep records on which bucking lines produce the stronger treads for longivity and production.

[Brian Gifford]

Do you keep records on your cows and their production. Do people keep records on which bucking lines produce the stronger treads for longivity and production.

We don't keep written records. Our breeding program was started in the early 1940's.

We (my family) have been around the rodeo business for a long time. For the most part, we don't out cross very often. Work hard to maintain our own bloodlines.

We spend lots of time with or animals and know each and everyone one of them and what they run back to. Lots of time.

We always pay attention to other programs and note which bulls/horses hold up for lots of yrs. Also pay attention to who produces high percents of buckers. Lots of people playing number games but many don't work out.

Bull- Sammy Andrews and Hal Burns probably raise more hard knocking tough animals than anyone and they hold up. Great bull men.

Horses- The late Marvin Brookman, Keslers, Ike Sankey, and a few others. I think percents of horses- we raise as many NFR horses as anyone.

Brad Brettin always has a knack for coming up with buckers that stand the test of time.

[justafan]

It all depends on if longevity is bred into them.
Our bucking horses are the same way. Have a 23 yr. old mare that runs out, knows how to take of herself and brings a colt in every yr. Hardly ever have a mare quit producing until they pass away in their late teens to mid 20's.; but longevity is traits we've always considered when crossing our animals.

This is probably a stupid question, but does anyone know who usually brings the stock to the Kansas City JayCees rodeo at Benjamin Ranch around the 4th of July??? A few years ago, I seem to remember a VERY old mare (late 20s) that was still bucking and producing foals...saddle bronc, I believe. I may be blending horses here, but I believe the announcer said she was pretty much the kids' pet on the ranch, but when it was time to buck, she was all business.....

(see I told y'all I have stupid questions):p

[CCCC]

I don't have an answer to your question. But, it is entirely possible. The first bareback horse I ever got a score on was an old man's saddle horse that he penned his cows on. Stout little yellow mare, would pee everywhere but bucked pretty good.

Todd

[artman182]

Hey Todd,
Maybe she was stained from all the years of peeing!:D

Arthur