It is hard to believe that May has passed us by and that our #69 calf has grown so much in just one month. Between irrigation, hay, and all the other tasks on the farm as well as a five day trip to the east coast for a college graduation, it has been a busy month. Although irrigation season started a little late due to less water availability because of a minimal snowpack, we have gotten our pastures soaked up and growing fast again. We cut one hayfield in early May and another in late May and were able to get both in the barn without any rain damage. Our neighbor across the road, that we buy some additional hay from, was also able to get his hay up in good shape and stowed away in our barn. My only first cutting hay left to do is a field down the road that I put up on shares.
The cows and calves are doing well on the lush spring pastures. The calves are gaining about three pounds a day and are a quite uniform bunch as there is only a month and a half difference in age between the oldest and youngest (March 15 to April 30). I have made the decision to keep #69 as my next clean-up bull. This year I will breed all my cows and replacement heifers by artificial insemination (AI) starting today. I will have to check the cows for signs of estrus at least twice a day for the next 60 days and then AI, after about 12 hours, those cows that show signs of being in heat. I typically get about 80% of the cows bred during the first 21 day cycle, but will have to continue to watch the herd to catch those that don’t settle (don’t become pregnant) or weren’t caught in heat the first time. It is much more convenient to have a bull to turn in with the cow herd after the first cycle of breeding (21 days), and let him catch any of the remaining open (not bred) cows. It will be interesting, in two years, to see if #69 sires calves of the quality of his bloodlines. He looks like he will sire plenty of growth and muscle and hopefully his progeny will mimic those of his sire, Harland, in their ability to finish well on grass.
The cows and calves are doing well on the lush spring pastures. The calves are gaining about three pounds a day and are a quite uniform bunch as there is only a month and a half difference in age between the oldest and youngest (March 15 to April 30). I have made the decision to keep #69 as my next clean-up bull. This year I will breed all my cows and replacement heifers by artificial insemination (AI) starting today. I will have to check the cows for signs of estrus at least twice a day for the next 60 days and then AI, after about 12 hours, those cows that show signs of being in heat. I typically get about 80% of the cows bred during the first 21 day cycle, but will have to continue to watch the herd to catch those that don’t settle (don’t become pregnant) or weren’t caught in heat the first time. It is much more convenient to have a bull to turn in with the cow herd after the first cycle of breeding (21 days), and let him catch any of the remaining open (not bred) cows. It will be interesting, in two years, to see if #69 sires calves of the quality of his bloodlines. He looks like he will sire plenty of growth and muscle and hopefully his progeny will mimic those of his sire, Harland, in their ability to finish well on grass.
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