Distance between groups of sucklers

[Scotter]

We are increasing the number of sucklers here and will now have them split in two groups with calves and a bull. We have not had to have cattle in adjacent fields before so I was hoping for some advice regarding the spacing between the two groups.

One field needs fencing in half and we have the option of doing it short ways but this will leave the two groups a ditch distance apart (see photo) with a three strands of barbed wire fence at each side. Do you think we would we have trouble from the bulls or the cows?

We could fence the field long ways and this would give about 100 meters of separation, would this be the better option?

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

What are you separating for? If its bio security a few metres will stop animal to animal exchange (except for via wildlife of course). If it's to keep bulls apart or with the right group of females then it depends on the Bulls. We once had a bull cross the whole farm, jumping 5 fences, to get to another field where a heifer was bulling.

 

[Scotter]

We are fencing one field in half as its too big for 30 cows, the rest will be silaged. Both groups of cows will have a bull with them but we are unsure of how much distance they need to stop any problems.

 

[MJT]

Depends on how much of a nob your Bulls are to be honest. Some will destroy everything in their path to get to cows, other will just respect the fence and be content with the ones they've got .

 

[septimus]

As far apart as you can manage i would say. Sure as hell one field will have a cow/heifer bulling and the other won't and the bull without a lady will want what his neighbour has got. Better if they can't see each other but if they can a string of electric wire might save a few broken gates.
The cows won't bother each other much.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Plan it well.

Worst case - We once had two Simmental Bulls get together in that situation (as per my post above) and they fought like hell. After a long fight the young one was bruised and took 3 days to recover, the old one was put down with a spinal injury. Now we don't have 2 Bulls on the same farm.

 

[Scotter]

Thanks for the replys. We will make sure we get as much distance between them as possible.

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Have same problem, run six bulls. Know not the same situation for you but use steers, in calf cows in field between two bulls. Worse we had was a real quiet blue bull that just walked through newly put up tight pig netting and two strands of barbed wire. Ever seen incredible hulk? He clearly had and fancied outdoing him. But in my experience and others may disagree the one thing on our place they fully respect and don't touch is electric wire, just single strand. Your pic with ditch I didn't fancy your chances, very similar to a place we have with adjacent bulls. But one strand waist high just one side works for us, put up the side where the fence is nearest the ditch

 

[Wishful Thinker]

Years ago we had a neighbours Bull cross 2 fences and a river (20'+) in to our cows and bull. A wee Angus against our big blue. Our blue came out of it worse. We had no idea who he belonged to, when we finally traced him his owner couldn't believe it.
So go the long way!!

 

[foxbox]

We've found that whilst the bulls are working there isn't too much trouble; it's when they've got through to the tail of the calving pattern that they start to get distracted. We've a single pig netting and 2 strand of barb wire fence in one place; it has stand off insulators and electrified HT wire along the top on both sides. It worked well but we have to make sure the power stays up whilst they are working and I wouldn't risk it once the cows have stopped cycling.

We now rotationally graze and it's made things a lot easier as we can ensure we've got a field between the bulls whilst they are out.

 

[GTB]

I take it you need a certain bull with certain cows etc? Otherwise far easier to run the two bulls and all the cows together.

 

[valtra 101]

Only option is to put electric fence round fields.

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Said on a different thread how different areas different farms are so variable. If I threw out 90 cows with two bulls at spring time the older more dominant one would be more intent on maiming other bull than serving, and they are quiet bulls!!

 

[Bill the Bass]

Only option is to put electric fence round fields.

We run bulls in adjacent fields, mains hot wire between them - never any bother.

 

[GTB]

Said on a different thread how different areas different farms are so variable. If I threw out 90 cows with two bulls at spring time the older more dominant one would be more intent on maiming other bull than serving, and they are quiet bulls!!

If the bulls have been together before going to the cows they will have sorted out a pecking order and it won't be a problem. Best way is to treat them like rams, always keep them together.

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Agree, throw bulls together post working and leaner so when sorting out pecking order not any damage done, worked for years and still do it, but had one bull die of heart attack after being together all winter then turned out together and scuffle, bulls testosterone you never know!! Look at daily papers and kebab vans at weekends!!!!

 

[Scotter]

Electric is a good option as both fields are at the back of the yard. We have mains electric around part of one field (along a deep drain).

 

[Spartacus]

We used to run a bull that'd take every gate off it's hinges to go through it to get to the cows. One year it went best part of 1000 yards to get from where it was with some heifers to where the cows usually go out to only to find they weren't there. It turned round and went back to where it was meant to be. Another used to just walk through gates and smash them to get through. As said above though. Quiet bulls are they key.

 

[Pan mixer]

My cow farming and bull management is so much easier now we are totally electric - one strand on top of or offset from the old fence. So much less stress, for me mainly.

 

[Bill the Bass]

My cow farming and bull management is so much easier now we are totally electric - one strand on top of or offset from the old fence. So much less stress, for me mainly.

Fences last longer too, old ratching cows don't bother hot wire - seen plenty knacker barb by just trying to scratch their necks, they don't do that with electric!