What age to breed Jersey/Holstein heifer?

[PattySh]

I am raising my first heifer to be our family milk cow eventually. She will be a year old November 14. The plan is to have her bred AI to a Jersey that produces small calves for her first pregnancy. What age should we breed her? I am thinking about Feb or so the calf would be born in Nov before the worst of the winter weather. Plus I'd have a few months to milk her before the goats start kidding! How do we tell if she is big enough to breed? Our vet has checked her and found she has all her parts and when I asked if 15 months was appropriate said "sometime around there" . She said she would be the size of a Jersey with holstein markings as she's black and white. Do cows grow significantly after they are bred just like goats (which I am very familiar with)? Getting excited to breed her, already bought my milking machine!I love my goats but the cream and butter from cow's milk will be cool, plus full goat's milk hard cheese has been a disapointment.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Yes, 15 months is about right. But make sure she has gone through two or three heat periods before you breed her, just to make sure that when she does reach puberty, that her estrus cycle is regular enough so she can be bred. She will go into heat around every 21 days, and the first one or two may be a little shorter or longer, but after that they should be regular. Then you can get her AI'd.

 

[PattySh]

Thank you. At what age do heifers usually come into heat for the first time?

 

[WildRoseBeef]

It actually depends on each individual animal. Some may reach puberty at 6 months of age, others 10, and some will reach puberty late: at or after 15 months of age. Even if your girl comes into puberty early, she's still growing, and the optimum age is 15 months.

Weight is important too, as she should be around 60% of the weight of an average mature Jersey cow before she can or should be bred. Also have her checked by a vet too to see if her pelvic area is wide enough to be able to push a calf through.

 

[PattySh]

Thanks so much for all the info. She hasn't come into heat yet at 11 mos old. I have her in with a young steer. She is starting to grow lately so I am hoping she will be big enough by 15 mos, if not waiting is ok too.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Your welcome.