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As we near the end of June, many spring calving herds are wrapping up their breeding season.
If bulls were turned out in late April or early May, now is the time to think about pulling them to keep your calving window tight and manageable.
A defined breeding season - ideally 60
days or less — pays dividends in multiple ways. A shorter season leads to a more uniform and often heavier calf crop, tighter calving and weaning windows, and a more attractive group for buyers. It can also improve breed-back rates by giving cows more time to cycle before the next breeding season.
On the other hand, longer breeding seasons can increase the total number of cows bred, which may reduce the number of open culls during the fall — traditionally a low market period. There is opportunity to hold open cows, feed them up, or rebreed and sell them in the spring when prices tend to be stronger.
One way to find middle ground is to extend the breeding season by 30 days, then preg-check later this year. This gives cows one more estrus cycle to conceive, but still allows you to sort them into early, late, or open when you check. Late-bred cows can then be marketed separately without taking the same price hit as open culls.
For producers who used artificial in semination followed by natural service, this is a key moment.
Leaving bulls out too long can erase the benefits of a front-loaded AI pro gram. Pulling bulls now helps you preserve a defined calving window and
maintain the genetic and management gains of your breeding strategy.
It’s also a good time to take notes. Record turnout dates, flag cows that showed late heats or issues, and plan for preg nancy checks.
If feed or pasture is short, evaluate whether late-bred or open cows are worth carrying into fall.
And don’t forget about bull management. Once they’re pulled, bulls need attention just like the rest of the herd. Check their body condition — many will have lost weight during the breeding season. Provide access to high-quality forage or a balanced ration to help them recover. Address internal and external parasites, update vaccinations if needed, and treat any hoof or injury issues. Separating young and older bulls can also reduce fighting and injury risk during rest periods. Bulls are a valuable investment — taking care of them now ensures they’re ready when next year rolls around.
Wrapping up the breeding season on time helps set the stage for a more uniform, more profitable calving season next spring.
Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension oce in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben. [email protected]
