Cow Trouble

SomethingElse

Looking for any advice here. I have a 5 year old shorthorn cow who I bought 16 months ago with a calf at foot. She was in calf when I bought her and she calved successfully last June. However, in recent months she has called three times and had the AI out, but she has called again today. Should I try the AI again, or is it a waste of money? What would you do?

reilig

SomethingElse wrote: »

Looking for any advice here. I have a 5 year old shorthorn cow who I bought 16 months ago with a calf at foot. She was in calf when I bought her and she calved successfully last June. However, in recent months she has called three times and had the AI out, but she has called again today. Should I try the AI again, or is it a waste of money? What would you do?

I had the same problem with heifers last summer and I let them run. Had my vet do a blood test for mineral deficiency. He prescribed a bolus which we gave. I ai'd them again at the end of november/early december and have had no repeats so far.

However, you have to look at the other side - you bought a 3 year old cow with calf at foot. Could the original owner have sold her because he could not get her in calf or found that she had been difficult to get in calf previously? I would always be weary about buying cows with calves at foot. 9 times out of 10 there is a reason for selling them, and its not always a good reason.

LostCovey

SomethingElse wrote: »

Looking for any advice here. I have a 5 year old shorthorn cow who I bought 16 months ago with a calf at foot. She was in calf when I bought her and she calved successfully last June. However, in recent months she has called three times and had the AI out, but she has called again today. Should I try the AI again, or is it a waste of money? What would you do?

It's the middle of winter, she has come through an ice age and reared a calf.

I would let her run till she has a couple of month's grass and the sun on her back, and has put on a cwt. Then AI her in June.

But I am 'old school'.

The other down side of my approach is that dry cows in summer will get summer mastitis unless you are awfully careful.

LostCovey

Bizzum

There is several things this could be, but to be positive about the situation:
She is cycling.
Run her with a reliable bull if you have one. I would still chance AI on her, maybe when she comes bulling AI her that evening and again next morning, (depending when she comes).
Failing the above, have her handled to see if all is as it should be.

Feargal as Luimneach

If she is cycling regular (21 day interval) and displaying signs of heat.
I would try a holding injection Receptal. Inject the beast prior to service (at service of up to eight hours before) Repeat the injection 11 days post service.

babybrian

maybe she needs to be washed out but that would probably involve you having to get the vet but again at least then you would not have wasted another 21 days of cycling.
I know how annoying it is to see cows repeating so good luck

Figerty

Give the cow the once over,. check the feet and hips.

A few years ago I had a few cows like that and the I mentioned it to the vet, he suggested that they get minerals with the silage. It did seem to make the difference the following year.

Juniorhurler

I'd run them with a bull or cull them. Late calves give no profit.