How to Breed Cattle Naturally

Cattle in a herd will breed naturally.

Despite the many advances that have been made in animal husbandry during the last 100 years, allowing animals to breed the way nature intended them to is still an efficient way to breed cattle. When left to their natural devices, males and females will virtually always come into season and mate. Regardless of how they breed, it is important to make sure all animals have proper veterinary care during the breeding and pregnancy.

Instructions

1. Decide which animals you want to breed. Select one bull and one or several cows. Have the veterinarian perform pelvic exams on all the cows to ensure they are not pregnant before you turn them loose with the bull you want them to breed to.

2. Place animals in a pasture or field together and wait for females to come into heat. Allow animals to mate as desired.

3. Periodically (every couple months) have a veterinarian check cows for pregnancy. If breeding is going well, cows will go into heat during the spring months and will be naturally impregnated by the bull as they do.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only one bull so you will be certain about the parentage of calves. Breed only healthy animals.

References

• University of Minnesota: Beef Cattle Management Update
• The Beef Site: Economic Impact of Artificial Insemination vs. Natural Mating for Beef Cattle Herds