But, remember - even a vet can abort a pregnancy by palpating a cow. Jeanne
> bruce.. i struggled with this for
> a while.. i have a small herd, and
> it was not cost/time effective for
> me to haul my animals to the vet
> or to get him out when i wanted to
> check them so i was determined to
> learn how myself. i called
> everyone i could think of.. county
> agents, vets, etc trying to get
> info. i finally got some
> literature which helped me to
> understand what i was supposed to
> be checking for, but i tell you ..
> you must have hands on experience.
> ai schools are probably great, but
> around here they were 3 days,
> expensive, and offered during the
> week, and therefore not
> appealing.. (i have to work to
> support my cattle habit, lol)
> finally i talked to one of the
> vets in the animal science dept at
> a local university. he had lined
> up with one of his students to go
> to their farm and teach them how
> to check cows. he let me go.. i
> had checked several, but it was
> worth a 100 palpations or more
> just to have him there and be able
> to ask questions.. he would check
> one, then let me go in and he
> helped me to know much much better
> what i was doing. now i feel
> comfortable checking my own, and
> check for some others in my area.
> i said alot, to say this... get
> some literature (try a local
> university or ag extension
> agent).. what i had came from
> texas a&m (about 20 pages).. read
> it thoroughly, more than once or
> twice if necessary. then find
> someone who will check them with
> you to help you know what you are
> doing. and remember,, it takes
> practice and determination to get
> good at it, and you will learn
> more as you go.
> hope this helps,
> gene
Simme Valley in NY
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