First Time Calving Aborted

[NCfarmer]

I have a Charolais mix heifer that was possibly bred back to a Simmetal cross who was VERY young. I sold him last summer. Now, the heifer has aborted in what appears to be 6 mos. The calf had no hair but was otherwise pretty much intact. She is about a year and a half old herself.

I was told by more than one person that I should sell this young cow.
However, I am wondering if this is something that I did wrong and/or if this is due to bad genetics and selling her would be a mistake since this might be due to something that is correctable.

She is a good large framed cow and should do well calving,
assuming whatever caused this abortion is corrected.

She was given the Bovine4 Shield innoculations this last summer and dewormed then, but not since.

Any thoughts?

 

[greenwillowherefords]

I just had a calf born a month early that lived two days. I asked myself the same type of questions, and discussed it with some knowledgable breeders. Here is what we came up with, along with some more reasons I added to fit your specific scenario:

She should get a second chance because there are many reasons that are not genetic that could be at fault. It could have been something in her diet, such as mouldy hay or a number of other items. Another cow may have butted her just right. One old timer told me that modified live vaccines can cause abortions as well. She may have been lacking nutrition, missing a mineral that she needed. If it was genetic, it could have been on the bull's side as well. Maybe she was harrassed by predators and thus stressed. Good luck.

By the way, welcome to the boards.

 

[NCfarmer]

Thank you for the tips and ideas.

As you said, there are a lot of variables which can cause it. I have noticed that some of the hay was pretty old on the outside, but didn't think much about it, until now.

I'm going to be able to provide better immunizations in the future, but was kind of behind the curve this year, so hopefully that will help too.

Thanks again, and this is a great way to share information.

 

[greenwillowherefords]

Thank you for the tips and ideas.

As you said, there are a lot of variables which can cause it. I have noticed that some of the hay was pretty old on the outside, but didn't think much about it, until now.

I'm going to be able to provide better immunizations in the future, but was kind of behind the curve this year, so hopefully that will help too.

Thanks again, and this is a great way to share information.

Yes it is, and you are welcome.

 

[dun]

I have a Charolais mix heifer that was possibly bred back to a Simmetal cross who was VERY young. I sold him last summer. Now, the heifer has aborted in what appears to be 6 mos. The calf had no hair but was otherwise pretty much intact. She is about a year and a half old herself.

I was told by more than one person that I should sell this young cow.
However, I am wondering if this is something that I did wrong and/or if this is due to bad genetics and selling her would be a mistake since this might be due to something that is correctable.

She is a good large framed cow and should do well calving,
assuming whatever caused this abortion is corrected.

She was given the Bovine4 Shield innoculations this last summer and dewormed then, but not since.

Any thoughts?

The first part of the decision making process depends on your feed situation. If you have plenty of feed and she wouldn't add to your actual dollar costs bu requiring purchased hay, then you can determine if she should get a second chance. If you have to buy your hay, that puts a little extra wight on the decision. It also depends on the particular animal. We've kept animals that have slipped a calf and we've shipped others. It's all pretty situational.

dun

 

[greenwillowherefords]

If you can cut your losses by adopting a calf for her that is a plus. In your case, she probably wasn't far enough along for this to be an option.

 

[tapeworm]

Those things happen...you hear some guys claim to never have troubles.....the guys that say they dont have calving trouble just dont have enough of em. If youve got enough feed keep her....watch her cycles and if she wont breed back after a couple of chances reevaluate

 

[tapeworm]

If you can cut your losses by adopting a calf for her that is a plus. In your case, she probably wasn't far enough along for this to be an option.

No at 6 months a heifer probably isnt quite up to taking on a grafted calf. :shock: LOL

 

[jerry27150]

my son bought a small heifer just like that a few yrs ago. she aborted ,then bred right back & has a live & healthy calf every year since

 

[NCfarmer]

Great stories and info, thanks again, and keep'em coming