Bull throwing high percentage of heifer calves

[charleyman39]

Has anyone ever had a bull who throws 75% heifers before? This is his second crop of calves. Last year I had 12 bull calves and 29 heifers. So far this year, 2 bull calves and 16 heifers. In his first year I was happy enough to put it down to chance and maybe the fact he's a young bull so perhaps not getting them early in heat. This year though, he's a big animal now and was on them right away. Never had anything like this before. Wouldn't mind so much if they'd be viable replacement heifers but he's a charolais so not exactly ideal, for me anyway.

 

[thorpe]

Has anyone ever had a bull who throws 75% heifers before? This is his second crop of calves. Last year I had 12 bull calves and 29 heifers. So far this year, 2 bull calves and 16 heifers. In his first year I was happy enough to put it down to chance and maybe the fact he's a young bull so perhaps not getting them early in heat. This year though, he's a big animal now and was on them right away. Never had anything like this before. Wouldn't mind so much if they'd be viable replacement heifers but he's a charolais so not exactly ideal, for me anyway.

do't worry to much there's only one thing sell's better than a chary heifer, a chary steer

 

[charleyman39]

do't worry to much there's only one thing sell's better than a chary heifer, a chary steer

That's exactly what's worrying me. Every heifer is costing me a hundred or two

 

[Northeastfarmer]

That's exactly what's worrying me. Every heifer is costing me a hundred or two

As long as you have a fit healthy calf I wouldn’t worry what the sex of the calf is….you can’t alter it

 

[thorpe]

As long as you have a fit healthy calf I wouldn’t worry what the sex of the calf is….you can’t alter it

i guess he's got a point i only buy steer's

 

[Northeastfarmer]

i guess he's got a point i only buy steer's

you’ll have to buy heifers in the future if you want to continue because you won’t get enough bullocks

 

[livestock 1]

We have been talking about this yesterday. I had a Charolais in the 90’s threw a large proportion of heifer calves 60%~75% back then there was a huge difference in price at times. We sold him in the end as he kept doing it
At the moment we have a Limousin that does the same fortunately the heifers make more than the steers so we are happy enough with heifers

 

[tr250]

We have been talking about this yesterday. I had a Charolais in the 90’s threw a large proportion of heifer calves 60%~75% back then there was a huge difference in price at times. We sold him in the end as he kept doing it
At the moment we have a Limousin that does the same fortunately the heifers make more than the steers so we are happy enough with heifers

That was back in the days of green blue and red CIDs I think when you claimed on age is that correct? So steers/bulls claimed more subsidies so were worth more I was only a kid but remember all the cards and them announcing it at the market

 

[livestock 1]

That was back in the days of green blue and red CIDs I think when you claimed on age is that correct? So steers/bulls claimed more subsidies so were worth more I was only a kid but remember all the cards and them announcing it at the market

Yes that’s right there was 3 payments on steers one if they were bulls. Beef job was in a mess plenty of lim heifers in the stores struggled to make £300 another £100/£140 for steers I suppose that reflected the payment

 

[livestock 1]

Yes each payment claimed on age

 

[tr250]

Yes that’s right there was 3 payments on steers one if they were bulls. Beef job was in a mess plenty of lim heifers in the stores struggled to make £300 another £100/£140 for steers I suppose that reflected the payment

Yes from memory fat cattle were about £600 although dad wouldn’t have been selling much quality in those days as he was milking so black and whites and a few cross breds. But I thought we got 2 payments on the bulls but would be wrong unless I’m thinking of the £50 slaughter premium maybe that was later though.

 

[livestock 1]

Yes from memory fat cattle were about £600 although dad wouldn’t have been selling much quality in those days as he was milking so black and whites and a few cross breds. But I thought we got 2 payments on the bulls but would be wrong unless I’m thinking of the £50 slaughter premium maybe that was later though.

You might be right I can remember the bull payment was at a different date thought there was one but could be wrong it’s a long time ago and wants forgetting
Looking back at these things it shows how we have been pushed and pulled in and out of production there’s got to be some middle ground you would think

 

[spin cycle]

Has anyone ever had a bull who throws 75% heifers before? This is his second crop of calves. Last year I had 12 bull calves and 29 heifers. So far this year, 2 bull calves and 16 heifers. In his first year I was happy enough to put it down to chance and maybe the fact he's a young bull so perhaps not getting them early in heat. This year though, he's a big animal now and was on them right away. Never had anything like this before. Wouldn't mind so much if they'd be viable replacement heifers but he's a charolais so not exactly ideal, for me anyway.

he's actually getting them early in the heat cycle....but not going back and repeating the service.....he's a 'i'll shag you once and move on' merchant

i may explain my theory later but i need sleep

 

[Nearly]

he's actually getting them early in the heat cycle....but not going back and repeating the service.....he's a 'i'll shag you once and move on' merchant

i may explain my theory later but i need sleep

Saw a tv program last night about peaks of human male births post WW1, WW2 and the 1970's 3 day week. Theory was that people were shagging more often, so getting pregnant earlier in the heat cycle.
Slight changes in small populations but noticable in a national record.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Yes that’s right there was 3 payments on steers one if they were bulls. Beef job was in a mess plenty of lim heifers in the stores struggled to make £300 another £100/£140 for steers I suppose that reflected the payment

It was just 2 payments wasn’t it.
when you’d claimed 1 it went to blue,
When you’d claimed both it went to red…

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If I was informed correctly the payments were introduced because of the French. They preferred eating mature cow beef which left the male calves less valuable and therefore a payment scheme was introduced onto them to help subsidise them.
God bless the French

 

[livestock 1]

Was there £50 slaughter premium as well? Or not?
Yes that’s right

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Was there £50 slaughter premium as well? Or not?
Yes that’s right

Slaughter premium was introduced later on if my memory serves me correct but yes there was one

 

[Werzle]

Has anyone ever had a bull who throws 75% heifers before? This is his second crop of calves. Last year I had 12 bull calves and 29 heifers. So far this year, 2 bull calves and 16 heifers. In his first year I was happy enough to put it down to chance and maybe the fact he's a young bull so perhaps not getting them early in heat. This year though, he's a big animal now and was on them right away. Never had anything like this before. Wouldn't mind so much if they'd be viable replacement heifers but he's a charolais so not exactly ideal, for me anyway.

Lim bull for sale at brecon once advertised as throwing more hfrs than bulls, good if you wanted replacements but not if your selling stores.

 

[spin cycle]

i've a theory......male sperm is more competitive than female but doesn't last as long.....the male sperm will reach the fertilisation site first but if the eggs arn't there they will start to die off...thats when the female spern arrive and take over....thus it's natures way of maximising the time period viable sperm is at the fertilisation site.....however....if the ewe is served again the new male sperm will race to the site and out compete the female sperm already there

SOoo....i reckon your ram was very fit and got round your ewes twice.....more so if you've a small flock

Saw a tv program last night about peaks of human male births post WW1, WW2 and the 1970's 3 day week. Theory was that people were shagging more often, so getting pregnant earlier in the heat cycle.
Slight changes in small populations but noticable in a national record.

frequent sex keeps male sperm in the ascendancy.....but early service favours the female

the ops bull is 'nailing' the cows early on...just not bothering to go back for 'seconds'