Getting Sucklers in heat...

Rushy Fields

Anyone suggest to me what to do with cows not showing signs of heat? Should i test them? Or just inject them to cycle? All cows in good condition and on plenty of grass...... dont want to take calfs off cows during the day as im away at work early and usually see them again at 7 in tbe eve. I have the seat seeking patches on them but nothing happening...any advice appreciated

Simmental.

I would inject them this late into the season. Did they get fertility minerals this year?

wiggy123

have you a male about-strong bull weanling, or a bullock--throw him in with them...might pick them up!

Angus2018

If you are coming near the end of your breeding period then inject.

Are you feeding minerals? I find the acorn fertility booster works very well, anytime I put one out a few come in heat the next few days after. If you can't get them then any similar lick like easy mag will help.

It might be tough but make sure they have access to good grass. Being in good condition is only a part of the equation, they still need constant access to good grass which has been a problem this year.

Having a bull triggers heat cycles for whatever reason so maybe leave a bullock with them.

The man in red and black

Injecting with Prostaglandin only works if the cows have already had a heat. That said the first heat after calving is usually silent so may have already taken place. Due to suckling inhibition the first heat in suckler cows can be 70 days+ after calving if you add in restricted grass and/or poor body condition.

If you are seriously running out of time in the breeding season and struggling with heat detection I personally would synch the lot of them and guarantee 100% submission rate. Your vet will be able to set you up with a synch program if needed. If you have time yet and not in a hurry then I would allow as much grass as possible, start feeding cows 1-2kg meal, +/- teaser bull(Bull pheromones will hasten the onset of first heat slightly) +/- prostaglandin injection if they are calved long enough to likely already have had a cycle.

Rushy Fields

The man in red and black wrote: »

Injecting with Prostaglandin only works if the cows have already had a heat. That said the first heat after calving is usually silent so may have already taken place. Due to suckling inhibition the first heat in suckler cows can be 70 days+ after calving if you add in restricted grass and/or poor body condition.

If you are seriously running out of time in the breeding season and struggling with heat detection I personally would synch the lot of them and guarantee 100% submission rate. Your vet will be able to set you up with a synch program if needed. If you have time yet and not in a hurry then I would allow as much grass as possible, start feeding cows 1-2kg meal, +/- teaser bull(Bull pheromones will hasten the onset of first heat slightly) +/- prostaglandin injection if they are calved long enough to likely already have had a cycle.

I have plenty of grass right now. they wouldn't have had an awful lot of grass back in June. Had a co standing today...... Amazing. I would hazard a guess that most of the cows in the herd would have cycled at this stage. so i wouldnd have a fear of injectng them
Could do with a teaser alright but all males gone since early spring!
Would love to have a bull for convenience but its great having the selection of a range of bulls with AI. Plus my land gets really heavy when wet so a bull would plough before him in a wet season like last year.
I will chat the Vet before the weekend and see what he suggests. I don't have a lot of cows (16) so i need full conception rates if at all possible. Had a good year in 2017 but this spring and summer has been a struggle.
Love having cows and calves but seriously thinking of getting rid of cows....

wiggy123

can be hard work..need a teaser-would help

patsy_mccabe

I always found feeding some meal, dairy nuts preferably, great to get them bulling. If cows have to spend long times grazing on short grass to get a belly full, then no time for other things.