Cows are LATE

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randiliana

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Aug 24, 2005
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Saskatchewan, Canada
I don't know what's going on, things are really slow around here. Well, the heifers are hurrying right along, we have 9/55 calved out already. But the cows are slow, slow, slow. Last year at this time (same breeding dates, mostly the same bulls) we had 18 cows calved out and 3 heifers. This year we have 6 cows. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, they've waited out the real cold snap, and it is supposed to warm up to above freezing for the next week or so. But its sure going to be busy around here when they do start! 200 cows/heifers to calve in 50 days, they're shortening the season up every day.
 
The first cow due is at 284 days right now... my average is 288... her family is usually a couple days shy of the herd average so in the next 2-3 days I expect her
 
Had 18 in this first wave that were synched & AIed last spring. All were due on Wed/Thurs of this week. So far, 10 of 'em have calved early or on time - starting a week ago. Have 5 or 6 that are 'overdue' as of today, and looking at them, they'll go any time. Two in that group of 18 probably didn't stick to their AI service, and will be another 3 weeks or further out.
 
I am waiting on one now. Simangus. This is one I get the "good luck" comments on suggesting she might be a bit too heavy. I saw her pasture bred to my former Angus Bull, Casper, RIP. She was due on 2/26/14 based on the SS 283 day gestation calendar. She looks ripe in every respect but still not lactating. At the cattle association board meeting Tuesday night, I heard stories that will put the fear of the Lord in you. One producer in the adjoining county who calves in February and runs just over 100 cows lost 29 calves. Here is a pic of the cow up next. Then I got 5 heifers in a row at the end of the month. I am going into heifer anxiety. There was discussion at the meeting about a study that a calf will be one pound bigger for every degree under normal!
16h9tdw.jpg
 
My first one is getting down to business as I write... she's at 285 days, which is 3 days shy of our average... she had a 110 lb'er last year.. lets see what this will be.. she's only a frame 5 or so cow too at 12-1300 lbs... I got straw laid down, hopefully she has the sense to use it
 
My first one was a day late. Second one is two days long and looks like she might make it another.
 
randiliana":2lskgl2x said:
But its sure going to be busy around here when they do start! 200 cows/heifers to calve in 50 days, they're shortening the season up every day.
Click to expand...

What kind of a preg percentage do you have with a (50 ?) day season?
 
I believe the numbers were 18/185 cows dry. But we had problems with one bull had 8/20 dry in his pasture.

We went from a 60 day season to a 50 day season last year. I had expected that we might lose 5 extra cows, cows that were always late anyways. Convincing DH was the hardest part, but last summer the bulls all went visiting about 45 days so we decided to pull them.
 

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