Ideal Yearling Weight for Heifers

[OEF Simmentals]

We recently weighed our replacement heifers to report their yearling weights to the Simmental Association. One of our girls weighed 1,126 lbs on the day before her one year birthday.

I've always heard to breed heifers around 800-900 lbs or at 15 months of age. I'm concerned with how quickly this one has grown and I'm curious if i should AI her now or consider culling her. I've read online that she's likely to have fertility issues and that the ideal weight to breed is actually below 800 lbs.

Have other Simmental breeders had luck with heifers this size? Do you think breeding her at 12-13 months of age is a good idea?

I've attached a picture of her when she was still on her dam before weaning. I'll try to get an updated pic tonight.

Thanks!

 

[GoWyo]

What do you think her mature weight will be?  Do you want one that size?

 

[WinterSpringsFarm]

I will breed at 12-14mo. I like them calve at or a little before 24mo.

I had a few last year that were probably around 1000lbs at 1 year....they have all calved with their second calves. My replacements this year are around 750-850 and will be bred in another month.

I guess what I'm saying is I would go ahead and breed her and not look back.

 

[OEF Simmentals]

Thanks for the advice! I'll give her a few chances at AI. If she doesn't take after a few tries i'll cull her. I guess i should look at the growth as a positive. I just never imagined i'd be breeding heifers at one year of age.

 

[Steve123]

I was taught by a professor that puberty in heifers is determined by body weight.  When they reach 60% of their mature weight they will begin to cycle.  He also told a story of some fast growing Gelbvieh heifers that were bred by the herd bull while at the side of their dam.

This link explains several other factors for age of puberty.

http://www.partners-in-reproduction.com/reproduction-cattle/puberty-heifers.asp

 

[firesweepranch]

We breed our heifers at 13 months of age, sometimes 14 months. We have lots that are 1000 pounds as yearlings, that is not unusual with the breed.