When's calving starting 2022

Back in the day when we just to tie cows in the byre we had a few flighty ones which would have been too dangerous to tie normally. So we got a jag from the vet to sedate them. Then we just had to guide them up onto the stall and tie them. When they came round they were accepting of the tying and no hassle.

So, speak with your vet about getting a sedative. If you can get her into a crush then you'll be fine - I presume your crush has removeable sides for the calf to get in and suck?

Years ago we used to have half bred dairy cows with lots of milk so we would double suckle the cows, the odd one would be kicker at the start, we use to tie up one of the front feet, usually the side the "adopted" calf was on. It always controlled them and they wouldn't kick then, I always found it easier to tie up a front foot that risk getting flaked out of it with a flying back foot trying to tie it. As for your cow Dunedin I would guess she will settle enough to rear her calf for the year and then show her the gate. If you think she wouldn't suckler bred calves are a flying trade in the mart, once the calf is over 10 day.

Just be very cautious of cows that are sedated as they can suddenly come alive and react. Years ago I had to get a cow sedated (pbr Blonde) by the Vet so that we could get her into a hoof trimming crate. All went well for about 5 mins until she fought the sedative and went berserk in the crate nearly turning it over and we had to let her out. She was nearly 1000kgs and the reason that we had to get her sedated was the hoof man was afraid of her cause she'd throw the head about with strangers. We eventually got her trimmed a few weeks later but the Vet had to knock her out and a different hoof man paired the foot while she lay on the ground.

Got jab from vet. Home from work and faced out to dreaded task. And hallelujah calf was sucking herself. Did a Father Jack reverse when he saw the nuns. Hopefully she’ll settle enough in a few days and I’ll get her onto the slats and she’s safe then. And so am I

someone mentioned Kick start here in an earlier post so got it and gave calf 30ml yesterday evening so maybe that’s what got the calf going.

checked records of calves of last few years and luckily she’s had a bull calf the last 3 years so I’ve no replacements out of her. She has heifer calf this year but she won’t ever see a bull either.

The debate will always linger about the cost of the suckler cow but it’s the danger factor with them that’s the biggest ailment of all.

No problem with antibiotics, can’t give steroids in advanced pregnancy afaik.

Wouldn’t think so. Maybe greysides could confirm.

Lovely looking pair there.

Sorry to hear that. Never nice to lose one.

Sorry to hear that. Never had anything happen like that here but I could imagine it wouldn't be good. Marco would be too strong for 2 year old heifers, fellas talking about him calving to heifers are calving down at 3+ years. Can't beat the salers for a hassle free first time.

Ya it was my first time trying 2 year old calving too and I chanced him because the heifer was a big frame for her age so I thought I'd be ok but sure the calf had plenty room in there to grow and was very long when it came out. Stick to what you know is my biggest takeaway from this! Ya it's an easier life calving to Salers for sure, have a bbx foster calf now so it's nice to see something in there with her.

I wouldn’t put anything else only Saler bulls on heifers, i wouldn’t be a fan of them calving at two years old either, it’s great when it works out but i tried it and found it hit and miss, some heifers grew on well after it but others stayed too small after, it was too hard on them. I looked at two Saler x Lim bullocks off heifers i sold to a neighbour last September the other day, they didn’t look out of place with ten yellow Charolais he bred him self. He’s very impressed with them. Was watching Carnaross on Monday, saw a Saler x Lim bullock 700kgs make €1800, they make great cows for margainal land too. I’m going to ring the Saler society now to see if i can get paid for this🤔🤔

What happened exactly? Was the heifer lying down when you were pulling? I've experienced the death roar here before but I managed to resuscitate the calf. It walked in circles for days but came right eventually.

I remember Doreen Corridan of NCBC saying that the calf can't breath when you are pulling, so give it a break to let it breath. If it's hanging off the cow with cow standing and caught at hips then maybe that's why it can't breath.

Ya, it's hard to know what to do at times.

I would be having palpitations if the calving jack wasn’t here. I currently have two even if one of them is old and slightly worn it’s there as back up.

any Marco calves I’ve had here have been exceptionally easy calved. Is your heifer wide enough of the pelvis? I had a run of torture here with curaheen apostle heifers that all looked the part but wouldn’t calve a mouse. The last calf I had to get cheese wired ( a good few years back) was a limo on a si apostle heifer that was first calving at 700kg.

Aside from the calving, while it’s unfortunate you lost the calf a farmer once told me,”that if I couldn’t accept a loss every now and then, that I shouldn’t be at sucklers.” It was harsh but it’s all part of it.