Who ever said ranch life is boring, has not stuck around for a day. Just as soon as we wrap up one season, the next is waiting on its heels. I finished up calving season as April walked out the door and with May comes breeding season. I turned the bulls loose the other day and told em to have fun, be safe, and I’d seem ’em again in 75 days.

Just a few days before breeding season began, the neighbors’ bulls had other intentions. Not only did I have one bull jump the fence (whom I described as having no rear and pecans between his legs), but there was a second in a different pasture. At least the second was a pretty decent bull. Unfortunately, it was the lower quality bull that returned for a second visit. Kinda reminded me of this post I saw from a Kansas ranch. Maybe I need a sign along the lines of “If your bull jumps this fence, then come and get your steer.”

Instead of having our cattle in one big herd, we split them into smaller herds for a few reasons. First, to better fit grazing capacity of pastures. Many tracts of land in Arkansas are smaller (compared to large ranches in the west) and we use rotational grazing to best utilize our forage resources. Second, we break them into herd sizes to easily fit a bull’s capacity for breeding season. We try to manage for 30-32 cows for every mature bull. This allows us to have a 75-day window for breeding (and respectively calving) season. Leaving a more uniform calf crop in the fall.

What questions do you have about breeding season, bulls, or related topics?

Breeding Season Facts

  • The average Arkansas farm size is 281 acres
    • Including crop farms
    • 54% <100 acres
  • The average Arkansas cow herd is 29 head
  • On average an immature bull (under 2-3 years of age) can breed 1 female for every month of age
    • Example: 18 months, 18 cows in a breeding season
  • There are three major goals of any breeding season
    • Get the cows settled as early in the breeding season as possible
    • Get them bred to the bulls with the highest possible genetic worth
    • Achieve both as economically as possible by getting the cows bred with the fewest possible bulls

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Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.