Knowing when a heifer or cow is ready to be bred is important to a breeding operation. There are specific guidelines one must follow to ensure that a heifer or cow is ready to be bred.

PLEASE remember these two important terms when reading about heifers and cows below:

Heifers are female bovines that have not had a calf. A heifer will no longer be a heifer after she has had her second calf where she becomes a Cow: a female MATURE bovine that has had two calves. Heifers remain heifers from the day they are born until they have had their second calf.