Cows Not Bred

[JeffK-MN]

Hi all
I need some advice about 2 of our cows.
I thought one was bred and the other I never saw get bred last fall.
But now the calves have been weaned for 3 weeks and both are showing signs of being in heat.
What can I do to get them to get bred when the calves are still on them? And could the one I thought was bred have lost it in the cold winter?
I'm having the vet out when some of the snow is gone to preg test the other cows and check the bull.
I also would like to find a good book about raising cows/calves. It has been over 30 years since I was aroud them and now my brother and I getting in to raising a small heard.
Thanks for any help Jeff
p.s. This is a great site and has helped a lot.

 

[Aaron]

A good mineral program goes a loooong way. Semen checking the bull each spring helps too.

Cows can lose pregnancies in the winter. I usually lose one in the spring herd each winter. Lost two this winter.

 

[JeffK-MN]

They have had mineral and salt all the time free choice and get some grain.
The mineral is kent 365

 

[Aaron]

They have had mineral and salt all the time free choice and get some grain.
The mineral is kent 365

Which type mineral? MG, ADE or Aureo.

 

[redcowsrule33]

The Kent 365 is an ADE.

What are the condition scores on the cows and what is your ration?

 

[Dega Moo]

Hi all
.....
But now the calves have been weaned for 3 weeks and both are showing signs of being in heat.
What can I do to get them to get bred when the calves are still on them? And could the one I thought was bred have lost it in the cold winter?
I'm having the vet out when some of the snow is gone to preg test the other cows and check the bull.
.......
p.s. This is a great site and has helped a lot.

1. Get a BSE on your bull(s) prior to every breeding season.

2. Ensure your cows are in good condition. A BCS of 5.0 or better at calving should have them in proper condition at breeding time.

3. Lactation is energy and protein intensive so make sure your lactating cows are getting adequate nutrition. Check with your county extension and find out what minerals are lacking in your area and buy mineral that addresses that situation. Don't skimp on your mineral. Test your hay and ensure it's providing the nutrients you believe it provides. Tons of sites on the internet discuss nutritional needs of lactating cattle.

4. When you put the bull in with your cows, pull the calves for 24 to 48 hours and then return the calves to their mothers. Pulling calves sometimes jump starts estrus but they won't dry up in that short time frame. See point 7 for a timing consideration.

5. Help the bull keep his harem together and put them on a smallish pasture or even a dry lot to breed.

6. Run an estrus sync program on your cows before putting the bull with them and get them all started together. With 5 cows you should be able to monitor, understand and even map out their individual heat cycles and tendencies. Each individual cow will behave differently and insights you develop will help you in the future.

7. Plan your edit:breeding- meant calving season and work backwards from that plan to when you want the bull to go in with the cows and when you want to pull the bull out. Make sure the cows have time enough after calving for the uterus to return to proper condition (that would usually require 40 to 50 days).

8. Preg check after pulling the bull. Pulling blood for a biopryn is pretty cheap and accurate. You need to wait around 30 days after the bull is out. Otherwise have your vet palp.

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Jeff
All those suggestions above are right on. Your cows SHOULD get bred and maintain a pregnancy while nursing a calf. If ours do not, they go down the road. There is something wrong with the management if your cows are not getting pregnant while nursing, or with the cows themselves. In order for a cow to produce a calf every year, she has to be pregnant while nursing a calf. That is what every producer expects from his cows....
This site is a great place to start looking....

 

[JeffK-MN]

Our cows are in good condition. and Thanks for all the good info. It helps a lot.
Just waiting for some of the snow to get out of the chutes and alleyways so we can get the vet out for spring.
Thanks.
Jeff