Late term abortion in Beef Cattle

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b_kackley

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2014
Messages
278
Location
Guernsey County OHIO
Wondered if anyone could give me any insight. Scenario: Healthy 2nd calver, raised good calf last year, been vacinated, hay is good quality, gets Ampt A Mineral free choice, only thing done different in last few days is bedded with a few stalk bales. Cow had calf 32 days before due date (dead) very short hair and missing hair in a couple of places. 1 day after bedding with stalk bales. Just wondered if any ideas or is it just environmental and I am being mental.

Thanks
 

CAB

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Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
5,607
Location
Corning,Iowa
More than likely just bumped or boosted by another cow. You could send in the fetus but in my own experience you don't usually find much out.
 

GoWyo

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
1,691
Location
Wyoming
Missing hair in several places might indicate it has been dead for a couple or several days.  My understanding is that the fetus will die from whatever cause (nitrate poisoning, pine needle consumption, birth defect, BVD, but mostly unexplained causes) and then the cow shells it out within a few days.  Very frustrating, especially with a generally healthy appearing cow.
 
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