Multiple miscarriages

BumpersFork · Tuesday at 4:17 PM

I've got 28 commercial 3-10 year olds confirmed bred and set to calves between middle of August and middle of October. Have had them grazing browntop millet for about the last 3-4 weeks. Have had 3 miscarriages in the last 2 weeks now. Anyone got any ideas as to a cause? Have had them on high mag mineral Southern States brand also. Thanks

GoWyo · Tuesday at 4:24 PM

High nitrates in your millet? Usually about 2-3 weeks from ingesting excess nitrate to abortions.

BumpersFork · Tuesday at 4:34 PM

Possible. We've been in drought conditions. Had never had that issue with millet before so didn't give it much thought. Guess there's a first time for everything

Mrcopier · Tuesday at 7:02 PM

Put any new animals with them? I had put new animals with mine once and they fought enough to cause several miscarriages in the ones I brought in

simme · Tuesday at 7:11 PM

High nitrates would be my first guess. Millet here tends to be the hay or forage likely to accumulate higher nitrates. Especially when fertilized with nitrogen, then dry weather. And then a little new growth from a recent shower. At a high enough nitrate level, death is common. At a lower non-lethal level, abortion is possible.

Get some samples and take for analysis for nitrate levels. Your extension person should be able to help. Depending on the nitrate level, dilution with some feed or good hay may be the solution. But first step is to get samples tested and see if you can rule it out or confirm high levels. Might be beneficial to give them some good hay until you get test results.

Are the cows vaccinated for BVD, IBR, Lepto and such?

Katpau · Tuesday at 8:32 PM

I would also guess high nitrates. We were supposed to get a load of Pearl Millet hay last year, but fortunately I tested before it was delivered and it tested as "unsafe for pregnant cows" because of nitrates.

Where are you located?