The cows and heifers were scanned today to check that they were pregnant and to confirm calving dates. ?It went well, all but two cows were pregnant (there were a few who deliberately weren’t put in calf) and all but one heifer, she may have lost it. 2.5% of the cows weren’t in calf which is pretty good considering the year that was in it as we had a few that retained cleanings (afterbirth) due to mineral deficiency. We were feeding minerals at the recommended rate but with the poorer quality silage, it just didn’t cut it. We had a few cows that were seen on heat 9 weeks after the first conception and one of the non-pregnant ones was one of those. It’s very easy for cows to lose calves up to 50 days, even a stress of some sort can cause the embryo to be re-absorbed. We still have to work out the success rate of the first service. It looks like 80% of heifers went in calf to the first service (first artificial insemination).
Someone asked how does one scan a cow? Well, the technican stands behind the cow as shown in the picture, he wears very long gloves as he puts his left hand in and then feeds in the probe with his right hand (also into the rectum). The foetus is then picked up in the womb. He is able to tell us (from his experience) by the measurements how pregnant she is and what date the cow is due. After 4.5 ?months of pregnancy though, it is hard to tell the due date. ?He used to use a monitor television screen for us to view the foetus but now he has snazzy goggles and can view the foetus in them. ?I got to see twins – it was a bit hard to make them out initially but he got the probe into the correct position, checked them on the goggles and then I was able to see them. They were mixed twins – the heifer calf being smaller than the bull calf even at the 50 ?day stage.
The technican mentioned he has seen a couple of abnormalities in other herds, none were detected today so fingers crossed, all will go well regarding escaping the Schmallenbourg virus.
This year we calved down 143, if all goes well, there will be 147 in 2014.
I almost forgot – Queenie is pregnant. Hubby pretended to be annoyed but we’re both delighted.
Grannymar
I look forward to the Spring series.
Dr Hows Science Wows (@sciencewows)
Phew Delighted for Queenie though “pregnancy a reprieve??” who would have thought! Great post thanks Lorna, learning lots ;0)
Lorna
Thanks Naomi , am enjoying writing them. Going to start either a blog or a section in this one next spring which will be from the point of view from a newborn heifer calf – all the way through her life 🙂
J.D. Gallagher
I was about to ask about Queenie too until I read the comments. Like McGuire so eloquently it put it; pathetically glad to hear it.
Lorna
So were we, hubby pretended to be annoyed but we’re both delighted – I just hope her teats don’t droop all the way to the ground next Spring. I’ll keep you all posted 🙂
tric
I too was wondering. It is like “farm soap” right up there with Eastenders!
J.D. Gallagher
Like The Animals of Farthing Wood, Irish style. I remember watching that on a Saturday morning on TV.
tric
You better start blow drying Lorna. I’d say it will be a war between RTE and TV3. However if you have a cupla focal I’d back TG4
Lorna
No cupla focal at all – struggling with 4th class Irish at the mo 🙂
Oh, I do have a Miley, less culchie though 🙂
tric
Get blow drying!
J.D. Gallagher
My money is on RTE, aren’t they after getting rid of one sacred cow in Pat Kenny? Now we have a replacement.
Lorna
Are you comparing me or Queenie to Pat Kenny??
J.D. Gallagher
Queenie.
Sacred cow, Queenie the cow, get it?
Lorna
I do :0) was just checking you didn’t mean me 😉 Lorna as silly cow 😉
Off to bed now – gosh, you’re all up late and you’re all in the same time zone as me too – Hubby is reading through an edit of my book with a red pen – eeek
J.D. Gallagher
I wouldn’t compare my worst enemy with Pat Kenny.
Lorna
🙂
Lorna
We’re going to dry off Queenie soon and give her a nice winter on a comfortable straw bed before she has her calf and then ….. 🙁
Lorna
Did you watch Glenroe years ago? I used to love it in the late 80s and early 90s
tric
I’d say you’re going for the part of Biddy in any re run. Have you got a Miley?
M T McGuire
Gasp! But what about the Matriarch you told us about recently? Is she or isn’t she?
Lorna
Oh, yes, I meant to give an update and forgot. She is! Queenie has a reprieve. Not so sure I’d like to be pregnant as a great grandmother but she’ll be fine. 🙂
M T McGuire
I’m pathetically glad to hear that! Mwah ha ha hargh!
Lorna
Me too 🙂
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