I've got two heifers that I've given lute to twice, second time being 9 days ago, that are not showing signs of heat. We've been in a heatwave for the last week and a half, with temps in the high 90's. I know the high temps can suppress their cycles, but the weather finally broke the other day and still no response. I am using estrotect patches as well as observation. What is the next option? Cidr's, fertagyl? I would like to have them bred as soon as possible (AI, no bull on the place).
Two rounds of lute and no heat...
- Thread starter Craig
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Anonymous
How old are they and what breed? What's their bcs? Reproduction is last on the list of things to do as far as growth and the natural order of things
I think like was stated are they old enough or big enough were they cycling before. If you do your own A.I work just leave the patches and breed on natural heat, if you have someone doing it then apparently they can do it most anytime because with just lute its anywhere between day 2 and 7 supposedly. GNRH at the front may help but if i was going to all the trouble again id spend the 10 bucks on the Cidr. Some like Cidrs some dont i always use them then patch them and breed at the appropriate time.I like the 33 day deal the best but doesnt sound like you have that kind of time.
The patch doesnt always get rubbed thats where sometimes timed A.I works best because you know the time frame, thats not set in stone. Ive had a few on timed that there patches werent rubbed that were in and had a calf. And dont let the patch be the only thing you look for its just an aid, check them a few times a day. And again the Cidr will narrow that window.
You might be just missing them. If you gave the first shot on day 17 of their cycle, they wouldn't have responded (CL already regressing) but would have cycled in about 4 days anyway. With that heat wave... I spent some time heat detecting one summer and when it got hot no one was riding. Might get one mount on the HeatWatch system over the entire day. You may have missed seeing that cycle, and if you have the second shot 7 days after the first one the CL wouldn't be mature enough to have responded. If you're at 9 days past the last shot and the weather looks like it'll cooperate, I'd repeat the Lutalyse, understanding that they may be in heat anywhere between 48hrs and 4 days depending on where they're at now in their cycle.
Alternately, you may not have enough animals to heat detect. I've missed cycles when I just had one or two other animals. The heifer that was riding probably was in or is coming into heat, but you'll have to watch close to know what end of the cycle you're on. If she was coming in you may still be able to AI now, otherwise give her Lutalyse in 7 days and she'll come back in.
Alternately, you may not have enough animals to heat detect. I've missed cycles when I just had one or two other animals. The heifer that was riding probably was in or is coming into heat, but you'll have to watch close to know what end of the cycle you're on. If she was coming in you may still be able to AI now, otherwise give her Lutalyse in 7 days and she'll come back in.
Ilikesteak
Member
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Lot of things working against you in this situation. Heat, small numbers for observing activity(more open animals=more mounting), several days of heat detection from only using lute and possibly heifers just beginning to reach puberty.
In your case I would agree with the earlier comment of using CIDRs with a heifer approved protocol that allows heat detection and timed AI if no heats are observed.
CIDR protocol tightens the window ,jump starts many non cycling heifers/cows and my experience a "stronger" heat. The timed AI gets semen in the heifers as they can't get pregnant without semen.
Nothing you can do about the outside temps(From Texas so I understand) but make sure you are observing for heats during the coolest times of day/night .
And not when you feed. This is absolutely the worst time for heat detection.
As far as protocols for heifers I like the 14 Day CIDR but the entire process takes 33 days. Sounds like youi are pressed for time so the 7 Day CIDR which takes 9-10 days sounds like your best bet.
BTW,My guess is the heifer mounting the steer was in heat or coming into heat.
In your case I would agree with the earlier comment of using CIDRs with a heifer approved protocol that allows heat detection and timed AI if no heats are observed.
CIDR protocol tightens the window ,jump starts many non cycling heifers/cows and my experience a "stronger" heat. The timed AI gets semen in the heifers as they can't get pregnant without semen.
Nothing you can do about the outside temps(From Texas so I understand) but make sure you are observing for heats during the coolest times of day/night .
And not when you feed. This is absolutely the worst time for heat detection.
As far as protocols for heifers I like the 14 Day CIDR but the entire process takes 33 days. Sounds like youi are pressed for time so the 7 Day CIDR which takes 9-10 days sounds like your best bet.
BTW,My guess is the heifer mounting the steer was in heat or coming into heat.
So I gave them a third round of Lute, bred them 66 hours later and gave them gnrh at the same time. Both showed good discharge/signs of heat. This was ten days ago. Now yesterday I had one of the two in solid standing heat, stuck another straw in her. WTH? Maybe its time to get a bull, lol! I wonder if the other one will cycle again now?
You cant just use lute and time breed at 66 hrs the range for just lute is like 2 1/2 days to 5 or 6 days so you have to heat check. You may have been several dollars ahead putting a Cidr in. Just lute is a cheaper way if your on top of your game checking heat and doing your own work but sometimes 10 bucks is a small price to pay.
longhornlover3498
Well-known member
You could get a cleanup bull. What breed is the bull your using semen from?
Using Hereford semen. Time bred with fertagyl according to an AI/ET tech. He said that after the third round of lute, breed on signs of heat and give fertagyl. If no sign, breed at 66 hours and give fertagyl. Both heifers showed signs of natural heat at 66 hours. They were standing, had good clear discharge, good tone. Bred em and gave fertagyl. I don't understand how she could be cycling ten days later, even if she didnt settle.
I would have to question your Tech never heard of time breeding on just Lute no matter how many times you give it. Are you doing the breeding? or did he tell you they had good tone and discharge? If they were standing at 66 hrs they should have been bred 12 hrs later 78 hrs. Not sure about if they were in heat how they would recycle in 10 days. Go to some of these stud books and look at the protocols.
