Calf died

[HJ Ranch]

How long does the mother produce milk after her calf has died? We had one die on Valentine’s Day and that mother is still poking for her calf. How hard would it be to graft on another calf and would it be possible to do that now that it has been a week?

 

[MRRherefords]

She may still have some milk, best to do it quick if you are going to do it. In our past grafting experiences we get the grafted calf on quick. Often we had to skin out the dead one and tie the hide around the new one.

 

[farmerjan]

If she is still wanting a calf, you might get her to take one. Her milk will be drying up by now, but might still be able to get her to come back into production. After 2-3 days of no stimulation like being sucked or milked, a cows hormones start to suppress the production since it is not being stimulated to produce. The drying up is protection of the system so they don't get mastitis by continuing to make milk. One thing, if you do get her to take a calf, a few shots of oxytocin will help her to come back into production. Call your vet, and they can advise. We use it on occasion on a milking cow to get her to completely let her milk down and also to help a cow with mastitis so she can be more easily stripped out.

I think you are at the very limit of getting her to take a calf. But, good luck if you decide to try.