Cow question

DaninKansas · Jul 10, 2013

We have a single milk cow (Brown Swiss) that had her calf a month ago - we will want to breed her again in a couple months and will most likely end up using AI. How do you tell when she is cycling?

Anyone familar with Red Simmental? We "accidentally" bought a Jersey/Red Simmental mix bull calf. I thought my wife had screwed up royally when she told me what she bought. Brought it home and that thing is a MONSTER of a calf and certainly doesn't doesn't look like the useless little Jersey bull calfs they try to give away around here. Called the guy she bought it from and he said he was breeding all his Jerseys to Red Semmentals and keeping the heifers back for dairy and selling the bulls.

Bruce from Can. · Jul 10, 2013

For a lone cow , this could be a tough one. When she comes into heat she may or may not, have a clear discharge from her vulva, may not let her milk down, could bawl often and seem uneasy. Or not show any sign at all. You could have a vet come and arm her to see that she is clean and ready to redreed, and he will most likely be able to tell you if she is just past a heat or coming to heat in a few days. May also be worth wile to have the vet in to check her as she could be cystic and would then need a shot of lutolis or furtigile to remove the cyst. you could also ask at that time about useing the ovosink program to make her cycle. Sounds easy Eh! Bruce

4xMF · Jul 10, 2013

Look for transparent sticky gel. This would indicate she is probably in heat. Especially if she is trying to mount other animals or yourself. If she is bleeding you are one day too late. Note the date and watch her closely 19-20 days later.

The simmentals were originally a combined dairy/beef breed but now one of the most popular beef breeds here. Also used a lot for crossing with dairy breeds. In Switzerland I believe some are still milking them. We have one such dairy farm here in Denmark that I know of.

David from Kansas · Jul 10, 2013

Put her in a pen next to the neighbor's bull.
Just kidding, but that would be a sure sign when she comes in heat. Like Bruce said, it may be difficult. Check with your vet, he may be able to help you.

JMS/.MN · Jul 10, 2013

If you don"t know what to look for (good advice here), or don"t notice the signs.....ask your Vet about synchronizing with lutalyse. Some use a two shot program, and breed 72 hours later, signs or no signs. Single animal makes noticing estrus more difficult. Good policy to have your Vet do a ready to breed check. Cloudy vaginal discharge indicates infection, may conceive and lose it- big time delay...she"s gotta be clean for good results.

wijim · Jul 10, 2013

For a single cow I would have her come into heat with a shot> Talk to your breeder he will know what to do. Jim

timbernt · Jul 10, 2013

If you want to see real Simmentals (red) google Buzzard Hollow Simmentals. They have the top Simmental herd in the US.

Cow question

DaninKansas

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Bruce from Can.

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4xMF

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David from Kansas

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JMS/.MN

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wijim

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timbernt

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