Calving difficulty Simental Bull

cacs

Hello
I only keep 13-15 cows. This year I had a bad year with cull cows and I have kept and bought in 9 lim 2.5 year old in calf heifers . I was thinking of buying in a Simental bull to breed milk back in and it would be a good cross. But I am worried about calving difficulty . My gut tells me I would be better with a Limousin with predicted calving difficulty of around 5. I am part time farming and gone a lot . What are your thoughts. Thanks

Miname

cathal irwin wrote: »

Hello
I only keep 13-15 cows. This year I had a bad year with cull cows and I have kept and bought in 9 lim 2.5 year old in calf heifers . I was thinking of buying in a Simental bull to breed milk back in and it would be a good cross. But I am worried about calving difficulty . My gut tells me I would be better with a Limousin with predicted calving difficulty of around 5. I am part time farming and gone a lot . What are your thoughts. Thanks

They aren't that bad for calving in general but can throw a softish calf sometimes that (in general) won't be as lively as a limo. I've two heifers in calf to sim this year, be careful but simmentals wouldn't have the milk they used to. At 13-15 cows, does it make sense to breed your own replacements? The heifers are worth a few bob but in a bad year you couldn't give away the Bulls. Stick with a limo and buy in two replacements a year and you shouldn't go far wrong.

cacs

Thanks for that . It is very good advice. Sorry for not replying sooner I could not log in for some reason