Getting cows back in calf

cavanman001

We are having problems with cows not coming abulling or at least showing no signs. Have 6 cows that calved between early september and mid october. Havent had problems before but usually cows calve in spring. Any ideas? Thinking about only letting calves into suck twice daily but does this really help cows come bulling quicker? Also not feeding any meals to the cows, should we be? Any ideas would be much appreciated, thanks.

whelan1

are they on mineral licks

pakalasa

Here are a few tips -
Are they standing on concrete - will 'show' better if on straw or other soft bedding.
Feeding meals - better to do if silage not great.
Daylight - sounds crazy but light brings on heat. Natures way - most light in June / July so nine months later, cows calve when grass coming. Solution, leave light on at night.
Teaser bull - presence of bull brings on heat.
Short day in winter - so you could be missing heat, use chin-ball or other marking device if using AI.
Twice day suckling - they say it works. Brings forward heat by 2 weeks.
My rant anyways -:D

cavanman001

Thanks for the tips! Not on any mineral licks yet. They aren't in bad condition so we didn't introduce any meals but I think we'll have to start. Wouldnt be too hard to do the twice a day suckling and the calves are already getting a bit of meal in morning and evening so wouldnt be too hard to coax them out onto the creep area. The cows are on concrete slats and wouldnt have anywhere else suitable for them. We have the bull in along with them since last week to see if he can pick them up, He's small and is behaving himself so far.

Ashill5

Pakalasa is spot on with advise. But I would add in the need for minerals also.