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Pulling calves with jeep/tractor?

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Comments

  • #32
    frazzledhome
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,278 ✭✭✭frazzledhome


    Limestone Cowboy wrote: »
    As bad and all as it is and I don't agree with it but there are some lads who are doing just as much damage with the calving Jack trying to Ratchet a calf out in 15 seconds.

    Very good point. +1

    The 2 methods mentioned are acts of extreme brutality towards the cow and calf. On the other hand I've seen similar acts, occasionally might I add with a calving jack.

    A calving jack in the wrong hands is as dangerous as any of the above. The trick with a jack is knowing when it's required and when it's not. At calving here we could have quiet a few in a day and the jack is only used on 2-3% of the cows and perhaps a little more patience may see it used less.

    Trick no2 is when it's required knowing how to use it. A cows contractions are enough to birth most calves and the jack should only be used to hold the calf between contractions. Angle is also very important as is knowing the force that can be applied by levering the end of the jack.

    If anyone doesn't know how to operate one they shouldn't be allowed to have one.

    To finish I worked in farm in Holland and the rule at calving there was if its a cow starting smoke a cigar and if it's s heifer smoke 2 cigars, in other words have patience and let nature do the heavy lifting


  • #33
    Greengrass1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,493 ✭✭✭Greengrass1


    patsy_mccabe wrote: »
    I got laughed at here before for suggesting that people should be trained to calf a cow. I pull calves from time to time for neighbours. The amount of times I see guys putting in dirty hands, pulling way too early, never even checking to see if the calf will come out in the first place. A lot of these farmers wouldnt be young either.

    Absolute madness pulling with a jeep. Buy a calving jack.

    I think that is a brilliant idea. Shouldn't have to calf cows. I'd say in last 2 yrs I've pulled about 10 calves


  • #34
    Limestone Cowboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,800 ✭✭✭Limestone Cowboy


    Greengrass1 wrote: »
    I think that is a brilliant idea. Shouldn't have to calf cows. I'd say in last 2 yrs I've pulled about 10 calves

    Buy a Charolais bull and you'll need it :D


  • #35
    Limestone Cowboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,800 ✭✭✭Limestone Cowboy


    farmerjj wrote: »
    Don't think anyone one would disagree that some ppl are rough, but no person with half a brain would pull a calf with a tractor that's in a different league.

    Extremely rough but I have seen more cows down with a dogging from the calving Jack than being pulled with a jeep/car. I have seen lads start ratcheting and stay ratcheting on the Jack giving the cow no chance to open properly or making no attempt to work with the cow in the process with the cow throw over on her side bawling, no great difference between that and tying them to a jeep in my eyes.


  • #36
    Kovu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,241 ✭✭✭✭Kovu


    Enough.
    Learn how to guage by getting your arm dirty. Ffs.


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  • #37
    pedigree 6
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,559 ✭✭✭pedigree 6


    frazzledhome wrote: »
    Very good point. +1

    The 2 methods mentioned are acts of extreme brutality towards the cow and calf. On the other hand I've seen similar acts, occasionally might I add with a calving jack.

    A calving jack in the wrong hands is as dangerous as any of the above. The trick with a jack is knowing when it's required and when it's not. At calving here we could have quiet a few in a day and the jack is only used on 2-3% of the cows and perhaps a little more patience may see it used less.

    Trick no2 is when it's required knowing how to use it. A cows contractions are enough to birth most calves and the jack should only be used to hold the calf between contractions. Angle is also very important as is knowing the force that can be applied by levering the end of the jack.

    If anyone doesn't know how to operate one they shouldn't be allowed to have one.

    To finish I worked in farm in Holland and the rule at calving there was if its a cow starting smoke a cigar and if it's s heifer smoke 2 cigars, in other words have patience and let nature do the heavy lifting

    Totally agree as you say the trick is knowing how and when to use it. The experienced farmer will know when a cow is in trouble and check to see if head and two right legs are coming and always hygiene is essential. Wear gloves if you can. The less intervention needed the greater chance of going in calf again.


This discussion has been closed.
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