AGRICULTURAL NEWS - A heifer reaches puberty between six and 15 months of age, depending on the breed, but she should not be used for breeding until she is at least 18 months old.
Servicing her too soon will impair her growth and result in decreased fertility and milk yield.
A cow normally comes on heat every 21 days on average. Ruttishness can last between three to 24 hours, with the average time being 16 hours.
The heat cycle starts again about two months after calving.
A cow’s sexual cycle is not seasonal. However, a rest period can occur in winter and spring if there is insufficient feed or weather conditions are unfavourable.
