bse":y9x6ixmk said:
I sure dont know the whole situation on these, so not a real comment on these. Everyone seems to think its ok for a cow to take longer than a year to calve running with a bull full time!! not me, id expect them to calve within a year, after the first cycle that gives them at least three more to settle, not very productive for me if they cant do that.
I agree. The great thing with our operation is that we know if our cows are open because they come in heat and we see them. With AI, we might take two cycles, but rarely three, to get them stuck. This fall group we just finished up, with only one heifer that has came back in after two AI attempts (and I am having an embryo put in her and hope she sticks that).
I do have one cow that will be shipped this year if she does not come around quicker. Her first calf was as a two year old and after several failed AI attempts (and her not coming into heat for 60 days), we took her to a good friend to run her with his bull. She ran several cycles before we picked up up. Had her checked, she stuck just a few days before we picked her up and brought her home. So I kept her, hoping it was because she was two and nursing a calf. Calved her second calf, a year and 6 months AFTER her first calf, but a dandy of a nice heifer calf. Watched her closely, she came in heat for the first time at 90 days post calving! Now, she stuck on her first cycle this time, but 90 days to return to heat is way too long for me (as a nursing 3 year old). So, this year is strike three. She is due the same week as last year, so 12 months later, but I better see a return to heat a lot sooner or she will be next to go. I expect more out of my cows. Had she not caught on her first heat, then she would be behind once again this year!
My recips are the ones that seem super good. My spring group that usually calves in Feb and March all calved in December this year! I have backed them up each year about 45 days, so now they are fall calvers. Once came in yesterday at 39 days post calving, and my vet does not like to put an egg in one unless she is at least 45 days post calving so he is coming out next week to look at her (since I have another recip that was in and will get an egg) and if he thinks she is OK we will put it in.