Unusual weather messing with heat?

We've had some unusual weather the last week and a half/two weeks for Nebraska. Extreme cold for this time of the year ( high 40's/low 50's during day and 38's at night), and quite a few rainy days with it. We've had a group of 8 cows in heat detecting natural heats for 13 days and haven't had any signs of strong heat. Does the weather affect them a lot, forcing them not to show heat? I know our friends down the road are pretty frustrated they are having the same problem. Suggestions? Other then let Mother Nature warm up (it is suppose to from here on out).

In some cases, the cattle's estrous cycle can go on "hold".  I've had cases where cattle have been synchronized, and instead of coming into head between days 2 and 5, some may start showing heat 6-7 days after the Lutalyse injection, after the weather improves.  Weather and environment have more affect on estrous cycles that most of us give it credit for.

ZNT said:

In some cases, the cattle's estrous cycle can go on "hold".  I've had cases where cattle have been synchronized, and instead of coming into head between days 2 and 5, some may start showing heat 6-7 days after the Lutalyse injection, after the weather improves.  Weather and environment have more affect on estrous cycles that most of us give it credit for.

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Thanks for the input, glad to see someone else has the same thought. I think I will lay off the lut shot until later in the week, let them have a chance to "heat up" as the weather does.

  Just curious, how many days post calving are your 8 cows?

CAB said:

  Just curious, how many days post calving are your 8 cows?

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Early/mid March.

I've been having the same problem here in kansas with my cows.  Been talking to a few neighbors that AI too and they are having the same problem. It's getting real frustrating I usually like to have my cows out on grass already.

  Are some of the 8 1st calf heifers? I would guess that your cows will soon start cycling. If you keep track over the years your average return to heat will be closer to 75 days than 60 days and if they are 1st calf heifers add days onto that #.

CAB said:

  Are some of the 8 1st calf heifers? I would guess that your cows will soon start cycling. If you keep track over the years your average return to heat will be closer to 75 days than 60 days and if they are 1st calf heifers add days onto that #.

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Nope, no first calvers. We already synchronized and bred them. Thanks for the info, I'll have to write down dates and see how they stack up next couple years.