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Cattle Boards
Breeding / Calving Issues
After first calf breeding difficulties
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<blockquote data-quote="Nesikep" data-source="post: 1178265" data-attributes="member: 9096"><p>We used to feed everyone pretty much the same, but Ive changed that now, first and second calvers get better and more hay through the winter, so far it looks like it's been working.. most of them have settle in the first cycle, with a couple in the second.</p><p></p><p>Nitehawk, good to see you back!, knowing lower mainland hay, I would look at nutrition first, and pay attention to the minerals.. If you can, draw a blood sample from one of your heavy producing cows, about 8 weeks after calving, and get a mineral panel done on it, failing that, a local vet may know what minerals are typically lacking in your area... I'd guess copper and selenium are likely suspects. Selenium is important to prevent retained placenta, and for the bulls for semen quality too. Copper is involved in lots of the processes, with the immune system being a major one. If you put the two deficiencies together like I had, you get retained placentas with the added complication of compromised immune systems to fight infections, and that's just asking for trouble. The cow that was giving me the most trouble was a excellent producer, and would breed back better if exposed to the bull right away (minerals were being depleted by milking) rather than 8 weeks or so. She ended up having a stroke or some nervous problem, and had to be put down, however, her daughter, having had proper minerals all her life, raises the best calves, and has bred on the first try every time (4 so far)... </p><p>I think we may have culled a lot of good animals because they were malnourished (as opposed to underfed).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nesikep, post: 1178265, member: 9096"] We used to feed everyone pretty much the same, but Ive changed that now, first and second calvers get better and more hay through the winter, so far it looks like it's been working.. most of them have settle in the first cycle, with a couple in the second. Nitehawk, good to see you back!, knowing lower mainland hay, I would look at nutrition first, and pay attention to the minerals.. If you can, draw a blood sample from one of your heavy producing cows, about 8 weeks after calving, and get a mineral panel done on it, failing that, a local vet may know what minerals are typically lacking in your area... I'd guess copper and selenium are likely suspects. Selenium is important to prevent retained placenta, and for the bulls for semen quality too. Copper is involved in lots of the processes, with the immune system being a major one. If you put the two deficiencies together like I had, you get retained placentas with the added complication of compromised immune systems to fight infections, and that's just asking for trouble. The cow that was giving me the most trouble was a excellent producer, and would breed back better if exposed to the bull right away (minerals were being depleted by milking) rather than 8 weeks or so. She ended up having a stroke or some nervous problem, and had to be put down, however, her daughter, having had proper minerals all her life, raises the best calves, and has bred on the first try every time (4 so far)... I think we may have culled a lot of good animals because they were malnourished (as opposed to underfed). [/QUOTE]
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After first calf breeding difficulties
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