Cow raising twins

[rockridgecattle]

Considering how much i hate twins, I would be the type of producer who would want to know if he was a twin. Not a risk I like. If it were me, I would pass just because i hate having twins so much.
IMO, twins cost more, need more groceries to the cow to raise decent calves, and the risk on breed back or even the risk on a good sizes weaned calf next year due to being run down a bit is what is the draw back to me.
We have had a few twins, and it takes it's tole on a cow, in Manitoba winters that is

[ANAZAZI]

Considering how much i hate twins, I would be the type of producer who would want to know if he was a twin. Not a risk I like. If it were me, I would pass just because i hate having twins so much.
IMO, twins cost more, need more groceries to the cow to raise decent calves, and the risk on breed back or even the risk on a good sizes weaned calf next year due to being run down a bit is what is the draw back to me.
We have had a few twins, and it takes it's tole on a cow, in Manitoba winters that is

Twins are also associated with retained placenta, later breed back, open cows, and more work. I always love every calf, even twins, but to have twins is not only lovely.

If a herd bull was born a twin, this will not bring more twins in his progeny, because the cow decides to twin or not. However, his daughters may carry genetics that favour twinning. Also many bulls and cows that are born non-twin carry the same genetics.

[SSGenetics]

BRAFORDMAN

If i give the cow extra feed, plus good grass, mineral, and salt, would she be able to raise the calves to a normal size and breed back?

Yes, but don’t breed her back until the calves are weaned, as producing 3 calves at the same time is too much to ask of her.
Even if she is a good milk producer both calves will probably be on the light side as twins are often runts.

The bull calf would most likely be sold as a herd bull prospect

I would highly recommend against that, unless you fully disclose he is one of twins, as most commercial cow/calf operation do not want anything to do with twins, or runts.

MW

I perfectly understand. I'm not going to market a bull if he is a runt. But this bull calf is one of the best built brahman calves I have raised. He is only 5 days old and shows lots of potential. He is very wide across his back. and has a nice build.
Too soon to tell about how he will be marketed, whether commercially, seed stock, or cull at salebarn. But I know a good bull calf when I see one. Time will tell.

Out of 3 bull calves last year. One is for sale as seedstock material. One has a bad disposition and will be culled. And the third may be marketed commercially or culled. I am picky when buying bulls and I will be when selling them.


I am not planning on putting the cow with a bull until late October. The calves will be about 6 months then and I will wean them before hand.

Remember, as seedstock producers, a knife can be our most useful tool!

[CKC1586]

My 2005 cow sucessfully raised two sets of twins and has raised two singles six calves for a 7 year old is pretty darn good in my opinion. Her 2007 bull calf is producing calf crops that his owner is very pleased with, he was a twin to a heifer. The heifer was tested and she went to the freezer.

[medicinewoman]

CKC1586

two sets of twins and has raised two singles six calves for a 7 year old

You should have had at least 6 calves in 7 yrs with no twins, which tells me that cow was non-productive for around 24 months of her 6 potential productive years.
Around 12 months in a 6 year productive life would be close to normal. That’s a 60 day breed back time each year.
Sounds to me like she has a breed back problem.
I would defiantly cull her.

Did you intentionally leave her open for a total of 12 months over those 6 years?
MW

[LRTX1]

CKC1586

two sets of twins and has raised two singles six calves for a 7 year old

You should have had at least 6 calves in 7 yrs with no twins, which tells me that cow was non-productive for around 24 months of her 6 potential productive years.
Around 12 months in a 6 year productive life would be close to normal. That’s a 60 day breed back time each year.
Sounds to me like she has a breed back problem.
I would defiantly cull her.

Did you intentionally leave her open for a total of 12 months over those 6 years?
MW

I'm just guessing here but, I think it was intentional. Perhaps the Cows first 12 months of it's life.

[medicinewoman]

LRTX1

The cow is “ 7 years old” and I allowed for 1 year to reach first heat.
Which leaves 6 productive years to produce 6 calves with no twins.
With 2 sets of twins and 2 singles, for a total of six, there are two years unaccounted for.
2 sets of twins is equal to 2 births and 2 singles is equal to 2 births, for a total of only 4 births in 6 years.
What happened to the 2 missing births she could have produced?

MW

[greatgerts]

CKC1586

two sets of twins and has raised two singles six calves for a 7 year old

You should have had at least 6 calves in 7 yrs with no twins, which tells me that cow was non-productive for around 24 months of her 6 potential productive years.
Around 12 months in a 6 year productive life would be close to normal. That’s a 60 day breed back time each year.
Sounds to me like she has a breed back problem.
I would defiantly cull her.

Did you intentionally leave her open for a total of 12 months over those 6 years?
MW

I'm just guessing here but, I think it was intentional. Perhaps the Cows first 12 months of it's life.

This cow may also be a fall born animal, which would mean she is bred now. That would make 6 calves from 2007 (as a 2 year old) to 2011. I don't think that is bad at all, especially when she has produced that much.
MW, have you ever had a cow produce like that and miss a little time?

[CKC1586]

CKC1586

two sets of twins and has raised two singles six calves for a 7 year old

You should have had at least 6 calves in 7 yrs with no twins, which tells me that cow was non-productive for around 24 months of her 6 potential productive years.
Around 12 months in a 6 year productive life would be close to normal. That’s a 60 day breed back time each year.
Sounds to me like she has a breed back problem.
I would defiantly cull her.

Did you intentionally leave her open for a total of 12 months over those 6 years?
MW

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However this"Gold Trophy Dam" will not be culled any time soon probably not until she is in her 20s. This is a late maturing breed and we let them gain maturity before breeding. They mature late but produce for many many years far beyond many of the "traditional breeds". Six productive years???? I would change breeds if that is all you can get.

[SSGenetics]

MW does not raise cattle.... well he has mentioned bottle calves...

[JSCATTLE]

I must have junky cows because I find it hard to get 6 calves out of a raised hiefer by her 7 th b day

[CKC1586]

LRTX1

The cow is “ 7 years old” and I allowed for 1 year to reach first heat.
Which leaves 6 productive years to produce 6 calves with no twins.
With 2 sets of twins and 2 singles, for a total of six, there are two years unaccounted for.
2 sets of twins is equal to 2 births and 2 singles is equal to 2 births, for a total of only 4 births in 6 years.
What happened to the 2 missing births she could have produced?

MW

Gold Trophy Dam: 6/18/2005 left her to mature before breeding I do not want them giving birth until they are at least two. She has many many many productive years ahead of her. Giving them time to reach maturing will give me more productive years. Certainly more that six for cripes sake! What the heck breed do you raise?

[CKC1586]

MW does not raise cattle.... well he has mentioned bottle calves...

Good grief, just saw this! I should have saved my breath on that last post. I agree

[hillsdown]

LRTX1

The cow is “ 7 years old” and I allowed for 1 year to reach first heat.
Which leaves 6 productive years to produce 6 calves with no twins.
With 2 sets of twins and 2 singles, for a total of six, there are two years unaccounted for.
2 sets of twins is equal to 2 births and 2 singles is equal to 2 births, for a total of only 4 births in 6 years.
What happened to the 2 missing births she could have produced?

MW

Gold Trophy Dam: 6/18/2005 left her to mature before breeding I do not want them giving birth until they are at least two. She has many many many productive years ahead of her. Giving them time to reach maturing will give me more productive years. Certainly more that six for cripes sake! What the heck breed do you raise?

CKC we all agree with you, good producers do not want our heifers bred until they are around 15 months of age, unless we need to short breed to move up a calving season etc. and we are willing to take that chance. Being a bred growing heifer is hard enough, let alone raising a good calf, producing decent milk and breeding back in a timely manner . Btw ,anyone in their right mind would be ecstatic to have your Gold Trophy Dam in their herd .

[WORANCH]

I must have junky cows because I find it hard to get 6 calves out of a raised hiefer by her 7 th b day

I must be doing something wrong . I want my heifers to calve at 24 mo. and then every 12 mo after that . By the time they are 7 ( give or take 45-60 days ) they need to have calved 6 times..