Free Martin??

[Tomcolvin]

I have a heifer calf that was from a cow I bought that was bred. Her mama was an angus-char. She was born all white with black nose on 6/16/21 and weaned at 6 months and moved to a pasture away from the bull. On 12/1/22 she was moved to bull pasture. She has been with the bull for a year and 2 months and I’ve seen no sign of heat. No sign of being with calf, and think by now she should be showing some signs, right?? I mean she had been with the bull for 14 months now. Shouldn’t she be ringing the bell by now? I know the bull works because I have newborns on the ground but not from her. I said I’ll wait until march 31st this year and if no signs, she will have to move on. What do you think?

 

[coachg]

Not necessarily a free Martin. Is she overly fat ? There are females that just don’t breed . I sold a heifer last year that was reaching 3 and had not calved . Should have hauled her sooner but she was out of one of the best cows on the farm . It just happens.

 

[Tomcolvin]

Not necessarily a free Martin. Is she overly fat ? There are females that just don't breed . I sold a heifer last year that was reaching 3 and had not calved . Should have hauled her sooner but she was out of one of the best cows on the farm . It just happens.

No, she is not fat. She looks good. Her weight and frame looks like if I were buying her, I’d buy if price was right. She had no obvious problems that you can see. Here is a Nov 2023 picture.

 

[farmerjan]

Sometimes they just don't breed, or sometimes they cycle and never settle... but there is a possibility that she was a twin... and it died or was reabsorbed and could have affected her... , sometimes you just never know...
Has the bull been away from her for any length of time? Maybe later bred? Get the vet to check her...
Just might not have all her working parts... it happens once in awhile..

 

[Tomcolvin]

No, the bull has been with her for going on for 15 months. She wasn't a twin and was born here on the farm.

 

[farmerjan]

I would get her preg checked...the vet can tell if there are any abnormalties preventing her from settling also.

 

[lithuanian farmer]

Preg check her to be sure. It will be way faster than to wait. She could have aborted her first pregnancy and be on her second or she just can't settle.

 

[Hpacres440p]

We had a heifer who wouldn’t breed-was a little crazier than we liked also. Got her loaded one morning for a vet check-ovaries were tiny. She was in the trailer and there was a sale that day-straight to the barn.

 

[GoWyo]

She's coming up on 3 years old and hasn't calved. I would save the vet bill and haul straight to sale barn.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

At 3yo she's 8+ months overdue for a trip to the sale barn.

 

[4hfarms]

Freezer if you have room. I like to think that my home raised beef is worth more than what a sale barn would bring for my not blacks.

 

[farmerjan]

Since I normally calve out first calf heifers at 27-30 months, she would not be too old for me... but she definitely would be getting preg checked.

 

[Tomcolvin]

Thanks for info. Now my problem is finding a vet that will come out. Cat and dog vets don’t leave their office.

 

[Dave]

She has been with a bull that long and hasn't calved I wouldn't worry about preg checking. You won't want to keep her anyway. How long would it be to the second calf. If it is going to cost much at all I would forget the vet. If they don't breed in 60 days I give them a ride. Some people do it sooner than me. The heifer needs to go to freezer camp or the sale. Probably the cheapest way to preg checked her would be to take her to the sale and have her checked. If she is bred you can just PO her and take her home. If not just sell her.

 

[kenny thomas]

Thanks for info. Now my problem is finding a vet that will come out. Cat and dog vets don't leave their office.

They will check her at the stockyard cheaper than a vet will. Then if not bred she is already ready to sell.

 

[Travlr]

I have a heifer calf that was from a cow I bought that was bred. Her mama was an angus-char. She was born all white with black nose on 6/16/21 and weaned at 6 months and moved to a pasture away from the bull. On 12/1/22 she was moved to bull pasture. She has been with the bull for a year and 2 months and I've seen no sign of heat. No sign of being with calf, and think by now she should be showing some signs, right?? I mean she had been with the bull for 14 months now. Shouldn't she be ringing the bell by now? I know the bull works because I have newborns on the ground but not from her. I said I'll wait until march 31st this year and if no signs, she will have to move on. What do you think?

You have more patience than I have.

I've always considered my cattle a business.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Draw some blood, send it in and for a couple bucks you can have your preg results in a couple days.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Some people look at their cattle as pets - some look at them as income. If you care about income at all, you never would have kept her this long. You are throwing money away every day you keep her.
At least you can haul her to the sale barn like others suggested. If pregnant, bring her home.

 

[Tomcolvin]

Some people look at their cattle as pets - some look at them as income. If you care about income at all, you never would have kept her this long. You are throwing money away every day you keep her.
At least you can haul her to the sale barn like others suggested. If pregnant, bring her home.

That’s where she is headed.

 

[Tomcolvin]

That's where she is headed.

Next sale