Effects on cow that has calved but not fed calf

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Mike Whyte

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I have a 4-year old Beef heifer who has just calved for first time. Having trouble (but not given up yet) getting her to succle calf and vice versa. If calf ends-up being bottle/bucket reared and cow is not milked or succled (so allowed to dry-up), will there be any ill effects on the cow, now or in future years when she calves again?

I should add I am a smallholder and she is a highland cow (who mature slower than commercial breeds) and don't normally calf till 3 anyway. Also a good highlander should live till 20 and give up to 15 calves in her life. So ease up on the blasting you commercial guys!
 
A. You are going to get blasted for even having a 4 year old cow that is just now having her first calf.

B. You are going to get blasted for even thinking about keeping a 4 year old cow with her first calf that won't let it nurse.

Get the calf on the cow somehow and take them to the sale barn pronto.
 
First of all, not everyone who has cows is out to squeeze every cent out of them as possible. some people have cows as pets, some people may choose not to breed an animal for whatever reason, some people may have cattle as a hobby or simply to keep their grass clipped down and then decide later that they would like to try breeding them. He didnt say anything about her not being able to breed until she was 4. the last time i checked there was no stipulation posted on these boards that said hobby ranchers or people with less than ____head of cattle are not welcome here.

Having said all that you need to do whatever you have to do to get the calf nursing the cow. put her in a chute or something and teach the calf to nurse and/or the cow to let the calf nurse her. shes had the calf now, you might as well make her raise it. if she doesnt she needs to move on or not be bred anymore at the very least (pet cow scenario here).

Most of the time cows dry up naturally with no problems but occasionally you might have one get mastitis. just a chance you take but you shouldnt worry about that since you will be getting that calf on that cow soon, right?
 
Mike - I see you are from the U.K. - wherabouts?

Let's talk cows for a moment. Your 4 year old. She somewhat of a pet?

She will not take the calf - that may or may not be a one time thing. Up to you to take the chance on her next time around. How much time and money are you willing to spend on her?

The calf may become a pail bunter. Is that a big deal to you? Do you have the time, inclination and money to feed this thing, or are you a worker that has a commuting job in the big city?

If you have the time and the inclination to take care of the pet and the pet's offspring, then I say go for it. If you do not - then it is time to sell - re-purchase something else.

Do not worry about the cow - this type of thing has happened for hundreds of thousands of generations. Mother Nature and God have made it so the darned girl can dry up on her own.

In the end it all rides on you and what you decide. Over here on my place - mom would be gone, baby fed until old enough to be gone - I usually never send them to market under the age of 30 days.

I have too many to be bothered with one trouble maker - unless one of the daughters gets involved - then I am always over ruled on the calves. Sometimes they are fed out until they are old enough to become steak on our plate.

Have fun with this one - glad it is you and not me. Pail feeding is a pain in the rear end. :D

Take care,

Bez
 
Most people here don't seem to be out to blast anyone. Pretty dog gone good place to learn. I enjoy hearing the advice and opinions here. Done this farming thing all my life. Learned a lot from my Dad. He's gone now, but I still get that same good advice right here. Saved a lot of time and money with your help folks. Generally if someone gets blasted here they set themselves up for it. "No bad cows, Just good steaks."
 
Sincere thanks for everyones help. It has been extremely useful and reassuring. Indeed. A great site with great contributors. On reflection, a more detailed explanation on my part of my set-up would have avoided any adverse comments.

Thanks one and all.

Will let you all know when I get that calf on her mum.
 
Thanks again all.
A happy ending... Saturday, we borrowed a friends mobile crush (chute), milked a little out of the heifer and unceremoniously forced calfs mouth onto teat. and held it there till the little girl sucked. On releasing the cow from the crush, the calf was straight underneeth her and after a half hour, was sucking like a good 'un. Has fed well since,and calf and cow are well bonded. A steep learning curve for this smallholder.
Great support from your site. Much appreciated.
 
mike I am ever so pleased with the progress of your calf and it seems now you are over the worst.. I must comment on some of the replies you recieved. I keep highlanders. they are a thouroughbred race each cow having its pedigree. in england cattle must be slaughtered before 30 months to be allowed to enter the food chain highlanders are very slow growing generally too small at this age to be commercial.although many steers are fattened and sold and sort after becuse of their meat quality because of their size it is advizable only to put them with the bull at 3 years - after their sell by date so whats the point well highland bulls are excellent for cross breeding and and command premium prices at specialised sales to feed this demand highland cows also bring good returns from 2 to 5 times a pure commercial breed I think large commercial breeders should not scoff at the smallholder after major catastrophes like foot and mouth anthrax restocking has to start somewhere ad the pampered 'pets' is as good a place as any.
 
Well said. And thanks for your best wishes.

The quality and taste of grassfed, pure highland beef (especially if left to hang for 5-6 weeks) speaks for itself. It's well worth the wait.
 

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