When's calving starting 2021

charolais0153

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Are there any mineral bolouses to give to pre-calving cows instead of powdered minerals over silage?

There's only 4 minerals in them compared to a lot more in a drench or powdered

GiantPencil

greysides wrote: »

Presumably all in-calf heifers were tested as calves and were negative. The PCR test checks for virus in the ear samples. Once negative, the heifers will not become carriers even if they contact the virus, they will just produce antibodies and become antibody positive. The problem is that if they are pregnant at the time they contact the virus the calf may become persistently infected - a carrier. The rules are there to stop any potential carriers being sold on.

If the in-calf heifers were blood tested for antibody and were negative then (as the PCR test says they're not carriers - carriers are also antibody negative) they haven't been exposed to the virus and their calves can't be carriers.

This should allow you to sell them.


(If they've been already vaccinated you're snookered as that will make them antibody positive.)

Wasn't told by my vet what the blood test was for, all he told me was that they came back negative and as a result I can't move on the in calf heifers until they calve. First time ever having a BVD scare and vet thought it happened as a result of the virus going through the cow while she was in calf. Appreciate the response

greysides

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Are there any mineral bolouses to give to pre-calving cows instead of powdered minerals over silage?

When housed I prefer the powdered minerals. I think it mimics a natural intake best. Boluses then for the outdoor season.

endainoz

greysides wrote: »

When housed I prefer the powdered minerals. I think it mimics a natural intake best. Boluses then for the outdoor season.

Have been giving seaweed meal as a precalfer, they got a bit over the summer too, cattle love the stuff. Supposed to be full of minerals for them. It might have the added bonus of having extra minerals in the slurry when it goes out too, but in fairness the amount would be tiny.

Base price

endainoz wrote: »

Have been giving seaweed meal as a precalfer, they got a bit over the summer too, cattle love the stuff. Supposed to be full of minerals for them. It might have the added bonus of having extra minerals in the slurry when it goes out too, but in fairness the amount would be tiny.

Possibly due to high levels of NaCl in the seaweed making it palatable?
Years ago farmers used to throw salt on a new born calf or lamb if the heifer/ewe rejected it. The action of the heifer/ewe licking the salt off the new born would help to stimulate the natural maternity bond.

Toetohand

Mooooo wrote: »

Another big calf out of HE 4297. 4 days over had to Jack him out, cow weak on left side. Had about 15 calves out of him and had to Jack 3. All on 2nd plus lactation cows and strong ones at that. Dunno will I use him again tbh. Supposed to be polled so u thought the head might be smaller but big heads and a share of em with marching bodies to boot

Have two of them. Some lumps of calves they stand out from the crowd.really long and square. Seem polled at 5 weeks both off mature cows.Like you I’d be slow to use him again. Really rattled one of the cows. Serious calves though. Used HE4643 as well a lot easier on them but calves don’t compare.

Dozer1

Scanned my weanling heifers from last year 3 turned up 6 months in calf....had vet scanning them in December but he had to leave early due to an emergency and I forgot to get him back...fairly sickened this evening

funkey_monkey

Dozer1 wrote: »

Scanned my weanling heifers from last year 3 turned up 6 months in calf....had vet scanning them in December but he had to leave early due to an emergency and I forgot to get him back...fairly sickened this evening

What is your plan? Probably on the late side to induce abortion.

High bike

funkey_monkey wrote: »

What is your plan? Probably on the late side to induce abortion.

worried i might have one here too,at what stage can u do that??

whelan2

Did vet advise what to do?

High bike

whelan2 wrote: »

Did vet advise what to do?

Didn't get mine scanned yet but looking at her wouldn't be surprised if she's incalf just 13 mts now

Dozer1

It's too late for aborting really as its outside of licence for the product they use and trying to pass what is inside could turn into a mess.

So advice is feed em well for next 2 months and cut back then for last month. Calve one and if issues induce the other 2 within 2 weeks of calving. It's just another farming "feature" of 2021 so far. I'm dreading if they are incalf to the bull but if it's one of the weanlings bulls it would be much better.

squinn2912

It’s finally arrived the first calf out of the new Simmental bull. She’d never have calved herself was a lot of effort with the jack until the head came out then grand work. Good calf I think anyway

tellmeabit

At what ages should heifers and bull wealings be separated?
With your girl incalf now, that's 7 months is too late.

Lime Tree Farm

Heifer calf born last night wont suck. It was given a stomach tube full of beestings when it failed to suck.

Still wont suck today. Can you stomach tube a second time, without causing harm to the calf, that is within the 24hrs of they being born. Or is there something about the subsequent stomach tube feeding going into the “wrong” stomach.

Mooooo

Give 3 feeds by tube if wont drink. Skip the next one as calf is safe enough then and the bit of hunger sorts them then 99% of the time

tanko

As far as i know all milk tubed into a calf goes into the "wrong" stomach.

If the calf won't suck you don't really have much choice only to tube her again or wait and see does hunger do the trick.
Maybe you could try that injection that stimulates them to suck, can't think of the name of it.
Has she passed her first dung?

Lime Tree Farm

tanko wrote: »

As far as i know all milk tubed into a calf goes into the "wrong" stomach.

If the calf won't suck you don't really have much choice only to tube her again or wait and see does hunger do the trick.
Maybe you could try that injection that stimulates them to suck, can't think of the name of it.
Has she passed her first dung?

I think that was called medrentil or similar sounding name, and not on the market anymore.
Calf had low temp this morning and improved with 2 Injections from the Vets. Temp back normal around 1.30pm today, gave 1.5 litres with stomach tube. Tried the honey on the tongue, very weak soft suck.
Yes did pass some dung, and stimulated to pass more.

FeelTheBern

tellmeabit wrote: »

At what ages should heifers and bull wealings be separated?
With your girl incalf now, that's 7 months is too late.

I don’t know what age a bull calf would be capable of getting a heifer in calf, but had a ch heifer weanling out of a white head cow come bulling at 5 months last year. Would always separate when taking out bull here after 3/4 months. Would also try not to leave any cow not in calf with the bull calves as they wreck themselves after her if she comes bulling.

tellmeabit

Lime Tree Farm wrote: »

I think that was called medrentil or similar sounding name, and not on the market anymore.
Calf had low temp this morning and improved with 2 Injections from the Vets. Temp back normal around 1.30pm today, gave 1.5 litres with stomach tube. Tried the honey on the tongue, very weak soft suck.
Yes did pass some dung, and stimulated to pass more.

Used a bottle called kick start, something like 40ml into mouth. Has gotten great reac

Lime Tree Farm

Put a jacket over the calf, as it's coat felt cold and it had moved away from the lamp. Not too long after than it perked up, got up and staggered towards where the cow was. Joined them up - still wouldn't drink. Left them together until 7pm, it took two of us the keep the calf in position, but it sucked. I think it has turned a corner, bit stronger this evening and stubborn. Someone should design a contraption that would keep calves pushed up to the udder.

calf wont suck.jpg

Thanks to all of you for the advice

Lime Tree Farm

tellmeabit wrote: »

Used a bottle called kick start, something like 40ml into mouth. Has gotten great reac

Haven't heard of that one, I see it's reasonably priced for 240 ml.

tellmeabit

I've found they are bouncing around and mad to suck from it. About 10 mins

tanko

Lime Tree Farm wrote: »

Put a jacket over the calf, as it's coat felt cold and it had moved away from the lamp. Not too long after than it perked up, got up and staggered towards where the cow was. Joined them up - still wouldn't drink. Left them together until 7pm, it took two of us the keep the calf in position, but it sucked. I think it has turned a corner, bit stronger this evening and stubborn. Someone should design a contraption that would keep calves pushed up to the udder.

calf wont suck.jpg

Thanks to all of you for the advice

That's good, nice looking calf. some people put the calf across a small bale of hay, i've never tried this, i prefer to make my bad back even worse by keeping them pushed up.

Mac Taylor

tanko wrote: »

That's good, nice looking calf. some people put the calf across a small bale of hay, i've never tried this, i prefer to make my bad back even worse by keeping them pushed up.

Same as....had one this year that took over an hour to latch on....nearly broke me. Great when it clicks with them though.:D

SuperTortoise

Have a calf there Thursday evening, will not suck, absolutely no interest in sucking, torture!

High bike

Had a calf earlier in the year and no way would she suck not even ur finger,got her going with a bit of golden syrup .Never saw anything like it ,the minute she got the taste of it she was off and never looked back

patsy_mccabe

Had a cow calve today. Calf couldn't latch on so put cow in the crush. Cow all excited and just sat back on the bar behind her, her back legs out forward. No way could I get at her teats for the calf. She just wouldn't move forward for 30 mins or so. Christ, they'd drive you nuts at times. Eventually she came off it and got calf going grand.

Base price

Mac Taylor wrote: »

Same as....had one this year that took over an hour to latch on....nearly broke me. Great when it clicks with them though.:D

It's not so bad when you've a quiet cow and can prop your head against them for support.

squinn2912

Cow calved herself when we were dosing and weighing. I kept an odd eye on the camera. Many’s a time I would have left her to it but I said we were as well check. Calf lying there not breathing. I worked on it and he took in a gulp I was sure it was gone. Up in 15 mins sucking after that. Close call. Big heifer calf

Sami23

FeelTheBern wrote: »

I don’t know what age a bull calf would be capable of getting a heifer in calf, but had a ch heifer weanling out of a white head cow come bulling at 5 months last year. Would always separate when taking out bull here after 3/4 months. Would also try not to leave any cow not in calf with the bull calves as they wreck themselves after her if she comes bulling.

When you say you take out the bull after 3/4 months what do you do with him for the rest of the year out of interest

tellmeabit

squinn2912 wrote: »

Cow calved herself when we were dosing and weighing. I kept an odd eye on the camera. Many’s a time I would have left her to it but I said we were as well check. Calf lying there not breathing. I worked on it and he took in a gulp I was sure it was gone. Up in 15 mins sucking after that. Close call. Big heifer calf

Plenty milk there

RD10

Is this a uterine/vaginal prolapse?
Anyone know whats done about it?
Cow only due this week. Thanks

tanko

I had a cow that was exactly like that or maybe a bit worse for the last month, she calved no bother a few days ago. I wouldn't be too worried about it.
I won't put my cow in calf again as she has bad feet now and a massive udder that is getting bigger every year.

patsy_mccabe

RD10 wrote: »

Is this a uterine/vaginal prolapse?
Anyone know whats done about it?
Cow only due this week. Thanks

Had a few over the years that were like this? She should be ok. Put her in calf to an easy calving bull next time and she should be ok. Calf is big inside of her.

FeelTheBern

Sami23 wrote: »

When you say you take out the bull after 3/4 months what do you do with him for the rest of the year out of interest

I leave him with the bunch of cows with bull calves until they’re weaned - I pull out any cow that’s scanned not in calf out of that group so shouldn’t be anything bulling there. He’s prob getting better grass than he needs with them but don’t have to stick him somewhere else. He roots around for the autumn with something else. Into the shed on the rubber slats with cows until Jan before they start calving then out with a dry cow of some sort until he’s needed. Most important animal on the farm for 4
Months then a nuisance the rest of the year!!

Limestone Cowboy

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Had a few over the years that were like this? She should be ok. Put her in calf to an easy calving bull next time and she should be ok. Calf is big inside of her.

Unless you're badly stuck I wouldn't bull her again. She will be guaranteed to do it again next year and probably be putting out more than the tip of it.

patsy_mccabe

Last cow just calved there. Outside in fine weather. Nothing like it.

RD10

Cheers for the replies. Was just thinking the past week she looks bit heavier than normal.
In calf to charlaois, hopefully all will go well and its not a monster bull calf.

SuperTortoise

RD10 wrote: »

Is this a uterine/vaginal prolapse?
Anyone know whats done about it?
Cow only due this week. Thanks

Probably carrying heavy and/or, is too fat herself.


I have four cows this year doing the same, and we've always had one or two down through the years, no harm really as long as she does'nt start pushing more out.


3 out of the four this year calved sound as a bell, one or two of them will be moved on, mainly because of bad feet, but pushing out the calf bed sealed the deal.

tanko

I think it's caused by a harder than normal calving in a previous year.

squinn2912

tanko wrote: »

I think it's caused by a harder than normal calving in a previous year.

We have one at note now that does that every year I think this is the 4th. I’ve kept suggesting that we let her go because she has a big oul bag of a hangin elder as well. This year she has very sore feet so if we can get her calved and helped that way then I think we’ll let her at it.

patsy_mccabe

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Last cow just calved there. Outside in fine weather. Nothing like it.

This calf never got drinking herself. Had to put cow in crush and latch on calf. Jeez, she drank all 4 quarters dry.

Do ye all watch to make sure they drink? I asked someone about this recently and he said he just leaves them at it. He reckoned if they can't drink on their own, what good are they. I watch them like a hawk for the first few hours.

tellmeabit

Always try ensure that drink asap. If they not trying after 20 mis I'm helping a bit. Once þhsy get 1st sup and are lively I leave them at it then. Bag one if I think they won't drink soon if it's after midnight.
I often wonder similar 're calving, should they be left at it more, cameras are awesome but maybe put me on alert too soon��

SuperTortoise

Would always check calf gets a decent first drop, if no go after 45 mins i would help.
I try to calf all mine inside if possible, partly to ensure they suck.

Sugarbowl

Calve all mine inside and wait with them until they are up and had the first suck. If it’s the middle of the night, I take the calf off the cow into the pin beside the cow. A few think I’m mad doing it but have had cow sit and walk on new calves before and there’s nothing worse after all the effort.

squinn2912

Wee sim heifer out of a first calver. Tight pull but nice lively calf and I’m happy with the markings

charolais0153

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

This calf never got drinking herself. Had to put cow in crush and latch on calf. Jeez, she drank all 4 quarters dry.

Do ye all watch to make sure they drink? I asked someone about this recently and he said he just leaves them at it. He reckoned if they can't drink on their own, what good are they. I watch them like a hawk for the first few hours.

If most lambsand calf couldn't suck themselves , I wouldn't have any . I leave them at it, if hungry,I'll give them a suck two hours later ish

squinn2912

charolais0153 wrote: »

If most lambsand calf couldn't suck themselves , I wouldn't have any . I leave them at it, if hungry,I'll give them a suck two hours later ish

In ways it can depend on time of day. We’d rarely do much with one that calved early. If a cow needs the jack we almost always get whatever she has into hmm a litre or so to get him going. Any calf that looks lively can work away himself usually. I keep an eye on the camera afterwards

SuperTortoise

SuperTortoise wrote: »

Have a calf there Thursday evening, will not suck, absolutely no interest in sucking, torture!

Success! Just caught him having a suck on the camera.