Virgin Heifers

We utilize Cidrs and Lutalyse to synchronize our virgin females.  We start by growing and developing our heifers on an almost exclusive forage ration.  Our fall born heifers are weaned the first week of June.  Once weaned and going on their own, they are turned out on grass until the first part of November.  At this time they are brought home and started on a ration consisting of sorghum silage, alfalfa, brome haylage, priaire hay, and a couple pounds of dried distillers.  The heifers are synchronized to start breeding the last week in November.  Our winter/spring heifers are weaned the first week of October and treated much in the same way.  Once weaned and going good, they are turned out on triticale for grazing and supplemented all winter with the same ration as the fall heifers.  We synchronize and start breeding the winter/spring heifers the first week of April.  The heifers pass over at the ranch before being haulted out to summer pasture the first week of May.

First Calf Heifers

First calf heifers can be some of the hardest to get bred back.  We utilize Cidrs, Factrel, and Lutalyse for synchronization of our first calf heifers in order to help them get bred.  We expect a lot out of our females, especially our first calvers.  We expect them to have a calf, breed back, continue growing, and then wean that calf weighing in at least over 600lbs.  So, in order to help them out, we utilize synchronization for breeding.  We breed the first calf heifers over a week period, the last week of April.  They are hauled to summer pasture, that same week.

Cows

We allow our cows to cycle naturally.  We start breeding our cows around April 20th.  We breed for a 21 day period, hauling cows to summer pasture as they are bred.  Much like the heifers, the first calvers and cows are fed an almost exclusive forage ration, only supplemented with 3lbs of dried distillers grain for added protein.