The flip side of a lot of grass.
Mar 26, 2024 1:46:00 GMT -5
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jerseyrose, lew92, and 4 more like this
Post by joanneb on Mar 26, 2024 1:46:00 GMT -5
We have had a lot of grass this year. We had a lot of rain for our area over Summer so we essentially had grass growing for nearly 6 months.
Despite our beat efforts to have the pregnant cows on poorer pasture and having to walk for water, we are having big calves this year.
The Matrons who have calved so far have not had issues. And one Maiden did fine with a huge heifer.
But we have had to assist with 3 births. Which is almost as many as all our previous years put together.
Last night was a 2nd time calver who was pushing like a champ, only the left leg didn't engage and was turned back.
I couldn't find the leg and made a loud panicky call to the vet who talked me through what to do.
Poor girl kept trying to squat and lay down I the crush and we were stuck for what to do as we couldn't push the calf back. But she stood again and in a flash I was there and managed to push the head back, took three holds through contractions to get her back far enough and the hoof came up and the calf was born easy as.
This morning saw a heifer in stalled labour, thanks to the eagle eyes of DD 7 who noticed her tail lifting way away in the paddock.
We ran her in and there was a lot more blood than usual, and I freaked out again, rang the vet. He was able to come out. Thankfully he is only 40 minutes away.
She actually started to push a bit before he came so I very carefully continued to stretch her and bring the calf down as much as I could. I struggled to get the legs and nose out to stay out but we did make progress.
We are on very good terms with him now and he joked that it looked like a crime scene.
He had a good feel and educated me if there is a lot of blood to listen for the psshht pshht psssht sound and feel around for where it will come out. You will feel the spray.
The blood in this case was from the placenta separating.
Miracle of Miracles the calf was alive and was an easy pull. No significant damage and the vet cleared out the placenta and said she and the calf were good.
A strapping bull calf.
Thankfully we only have one 2nd timer to go and the rest are experienced Matrons who will hopefully do well.
I will be very glad to see the back of this calving year. Only 9 cows to go
Despite our beat efforts to have the pregnant cows on poorer pasture and having to walk for water, we are having big calves this year.
The Matrons who have calved so far have not had issues. And one Maiden did fine with a huge heifer.
But we have had to assist with 3 births. Which is almost as many as all our previous years put together.
Last night was a 2nd time calver who was pushing like a champ, only the left leg didn't engage and was turned back.
I couldn't find the leg and made a loud panicky call to the vet who talked me through what to do.
Poor girl kept trying to squat and lay down I the crush and we were stuck for what to do as we couldn't push the calf back. But she stood again and in a flash I was there and managed to push the head back, took three holds through contractions to get her back far enough and the hoof came up and the calf was born easy as.
This morning saw a heifer in stalled labour, thanks to the eagle eyes of DD 7 who noticed her tail lifting way away in the paddock.
We ran her in and there was a lot more blood than usual, and I freaked out again, rang the vet. He was able to come out. Thankfully he is only 40 minutes away.
She actually started to push a bit before he came so I very carefully continued to stretch her and bring the calf down as much as I could. I struggled to get the legs and nose out to stay out but we did make progress.
We are on very good terms with him now and he joked that it looked like a crime scene.
He had a good feel and educated me if there is a lot of blood to listen for the psshht pshht psssht sound and feel around for where it will come out. You will feel the spray.
The blood in this case was from the placenta separating.
Miracle of Miracles the calf was alive and was an easy pull. No significant damage and the vet cleared out the placenta and said she and the calf were good.
A strapping bull calf.
Thankfully we only have one 2nd timer to go and the rest are experienced Matrons who will hopefully do well.
I will be very glad to see the back of this calving year. Only 9 cows to go