calving

Is anyone else have cows go over as much as we are. we have 20 on the ground and averaging right around 14 days , calves are big nothing out of the normal for us shorthorn breeders, had a couple 140s unassisted  most in that 90-100 range, 7 of them have be backwards used the jack on them cause got get them out fast if they where facing the right way cow would have spit them out. One of them years. Do you guys think that the summer we had played any role the calving problems that alot or people are having this year, not just me? We had no problems AI last year

No, its the genetics youre using.

Been calving shorthorns since 1989, son in law has for last 5 years, AI and natural used seven different sires between the two of us,not real  big calves, but lots of late ones! Talked to several commercial guys in our area, lots of the same. Mother Nature does alot of things we will never understand!

Don't have shorthorns but all of mine were early by up to 2 weeks or right on their due dates this year.

Running about 90% overdue on calves this year here, anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks.  None of the calves have been huge, a couple around the 100# mark, but the rest have been in the 80s.  Funny thing is that the only monster I have had this year was a week early.  I guess the good thing about having so many overdue is that I've been heavy on bull calves this spring.  Now if  just had the three back that we lost early in the season life would be good.

ours have all been over.  Waiting on one right now thats at 5 days over.

We very typically have cows calve 7+ day over the 283 day calving date.  This year we have only had one cow go over and several cows calve early.  I was also worried about larger birth weights because of our cold winter, but it really hasn't seemed to affect it any.

not complaining alot other than the backwards ones, been lucky for the most part from the stories i hear form the country side about trying to keep them alive once they are born. Have had very little sickness. 

In 30+ years this is the most "educational" and frustrating calving season ever.  Several AI cows are overdue while some AI'd the same date to same bull were about 10 days early.

We've had the vets out more in the past week than we have in at least 6 months.  A twisted gut on a Monopoly 2 heifer, a spine deformity on a nice I-80 calf, a calf with some sort of seizure type mystery, extra tiny calves, cows that won't try, calves that won't nurse even when warm and dry, cows that keep their calves out of the dry deeply bedded barn, and then add in the weather.  More backwards ones in one year than I can ever remember or want to see again.  Just flat out ugly.  One of our vets said the death loss is going to be high in the area.  If it weren't for the freak things we wouldn't have any so far.  He also said his best guess is the winter more than the summer.  It just won't quit here.

So far, we have 35 calves out of 35 cows.  All have been born within 2 days of their due dates, all have been between 78 and 85 pounds.  All have been up and nursing within an hour of birth, no scours, no nursing issues, no backwards calves, all the heifers have calved unassisted, and all the cows that we wanted heifers out of have granted our wish......Woops!  I guess it's a week until April 1. 

I wish things went that easy around here, but we're no better off than anybody else.  We've only had one cow that had a bigger calf than normal, just 5 days overdue.  Most of the rest of them have been within a few days of their breeding dates.  Of course, one of the few that I didn't have a date on looked to be at least 2 weeks off, but had her calf on a snow bank.  I guess raising cattle is kind of like being a Cubs fan.  Wait 'til next year.  Good thing I like the Cardinals.

Tough year so far.  Registered Angus aborted bull calf 5 weeks prior to term; commercial cow got impacted rumen (likely abomasum) and we couldn't get her loosened up so she died; yesterday registered Angus gave birth to a Lookout heifer that is full sib to the one we are showing this year (was pretty excited about this until an hour later she pushed out a bull calf twin that was born dead) so get a freemartin out of that deal and she looks like she will be a pretty little thing.  So far 3 calves on the ground, 1 dead cow, 2 dead calves and we are just getting started.  Hope the rest of it goes better.

Mine have been mostly late, after the first one 38 days early.  From a couple of days to 14 days late so far.  I did a cow check yesterday then went to the accountant.  Came home to find a dead roan sue 863 x tuscaloosa heifer from an embryo bought from Bob Duis.  Not big, looked nice, just dead and will I never know why.  Bummer...

Mark

Sorry to hear that Mark. I had to put one down last night. It was born 3/1 & doing fine but ended up treating it for a mild scours after a snowy/rainy period, nothing out of the ordinary. A couple of days later I thought that she had possibly gotten stepped on around the hay ring. Just off a little on a foot I thought, but as time went on she got progressively worse until she got to where she could not get herself up on her feet @ all. I'm thinking some kind of neurological damage or infection. Possibly naval infection. She was a Mission Statement x Northern Improvement x Double Stuff heifer calf. She was a great looking little cow prospect.
Our calves have been as early as 7 days, ( CTR Success x clean up bull x Money Shot 1st calf heifer ) & as late as 10 days over, ( SAV Density x CTR Success 1st calf heifer ). Everything in between, but more early than late in general.

CAB one of our vets said that sort of thing is hitting hard this year.  No real specific obvious problem just more of a generalized weakness that gets worse.  We are really selenium deficient around here so we give BoSe when they are born.  That usually snaps them around pretty quickly but not this year.

Anyone seen anything unusual out of I-80?  I am assuming this spine deformity is a freak thing and not genetic at this point.  He's out of a purebred Angus cow.  He's got a gap between vertebrae and can't flex his back legs very well on his own.  He can stand up at times but the back and front don't seem to be talking.  It's been 5 days and he has a tremendous will to live.  I know we will have to face the facts here quickly.  It's a shame too because he's the only I-80 bull calf I've got that is decent.

We have a cow right now that has looked "any day" for two weeks....  Most of the others have been coming a little early.  This ones due date is actually tomorrow, but her udder says it is over due.....  She was streaming out of all four teats tonight when we were sorting her off......  Hard on a young cows udder to be that tight that long.

We also have two second callers that have been nursing off of each other for the past few weeks....  Due this week.  They stand side to side, "69ing"  Both nursing the other.    Worried what will happen when they calve.

Interesting to hear everyone's stories on calving season.  Definitely don't like to hear the negative but at the same time it's good to know we aren't alone.  We have 16 calves on the ground and a lot of really nice ones...maybe our best set yet.  I think every calf has a story behind it from when it was born.  Backwards calves, hard pulls, days and days overdue, 4 weeks early, you name it....we've seen it.  Very educational so far.  We only have one more AI'd calf coming, the cow is now 5 days overdue.  We expect them to be overdue now.  The wet/cold last couple months we have had just seem to make the whole process a little depressing, calves have stayed healthy though it seems.

Eleven days early to 10 days over.

Use stabalized purebred genetics.  Used 3 different bulls. Made sure each had a bw at or under 85lbs.  Analyzed the pedigrees prior to using the 3 bulls to make sure there weren't any animals with bws over 95lbs in the pedigree.  Selected bulls with negative or 0 bw epds with positive CE and MCE.  Calved 24 heifers.  Pulled one.  Found the neighbors dog chewing on a leg bone of another calf I never found.  Have 22 live calves all born unassisted.  Averaged 77.2 lb bw on 23 hd.  You  (anyone) applies that criteria I applied in selecting a bull and I guarantee you your calving problems will cease.

BW has not really been our problem.  It's the head back, backwards, upside down, head first calves that are giving us the trouble.

shouflershorthorns said:

Is anyone else have cows go over as much as we are. we have 20 on the ground and averaging right around 14 days , calves are big nothing out of the normal for us shorthorn breeders, had a couple 140s unassisted   most in that 90-100 range, 7 of them have be backwards used the jack on them cause got get them out fast if they where facing the right way cow would have spit them out. One of them years. Do you guys think that the summer we had played any role the calving problems that alot or people are having this year, not just me? We had no problems AI last year

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XBAR kind of got right to the point, and unfortunately is correct. The Shorthorn breed has more of a gestation length problem than a birthweight problem. Those calves could be 20-30 lbs. heavier than if they were born on time. Some genetics have large birthweights and are still on time, then you get a late one and....... I also believe there is something genetic with the backwards calves. I had a bunch of them a number of years ago and all of those cows are gone now. One cow had three backwards calves in a row. Years like you are having is what convinced me to change course. My A&T Renegade calves are averaging about 6 days early and that's on genetics from late gestation show Shorthorn cattle. Although I'm not exactly sure what genetics you are using but I would be willing to bet that is the cause. Email me or send me a message if you want to discuss further. Hope things get better soon...