Fertility question?

[TJ]

Last year, I wasn't able to pull the bull in one of my herds due to space restrictions.  That herd had 14 spring calvers.  Out of those 14, 9 have already calved so far this year.  2 of them calved around 60 days earlier than last year & 7 have calved about 30 days earlier than last year.  7 of these had their 1st calves last year.  Of the few remaining, all of them could still calve earlier than last year.

My question is this... for a herd that has average nutrion at best (fescue, some clover, mineral, salt, fresh water) & some really good milking Tarentaise, a Simmi X and a couple Shorthorns in the mix is this pretty good?  I would think so, but curious what others think.  Also, if it is indeed really good, would it be very likely that the bull is also extremely fertile?  I haven't tested him, but I am wondering if this may mean that he may possibly be a good candidate for sexed semen?  Also, I wonder how likely it might be that he may have Fertility-Associated Antigen in his semen?  I think so, but I know that it's impossible to know for sure... just curious what others might think.  Or is this possibly more to do with the female side of things? 

The best news... It has nothing to do with fertility, but despite the colder winter & calving earlier in all the snowy, icy, wintery weather, I've had a 100% calf crop so far calving out in pasture!   

   

 

[hamburgman]

We moved our june calving herd into February in two years (early march also).  Some came along easily, others needed to be helped along.  I don't think it has as much to do with your bull and your cows being awfully fertile.  When me made our switch we used different bulls both years.

 

[TJ]

We moved our june calving herd into February in two years (early march also).  Some came along easily, others needed to be helped along.  I don't think it has as much to do with your bull and your cows being awfully fertile.  When me made our switch we used different bulls both years.

Thanks!  That's what I wanted to know. 

However, I do have 1 question... What type of nutrition program did you use pre-breeding & during breeding?  I have absolutely no doubt that average to poor milking cows or those on a good nutrition program could do that easily, but what has me surprised is above average milking/really good milking cows that are on what many (especially on this board) would consider sub-par nutrition doing it... especially 1st calf heifers doing it.  Just trying to learn here... thanks!

 

[aj]

I have herds using a 45 day calving window. Things need to be really squared up to hit this deal. I accidentially had a cow breed back 30 days post-partum one time.