Post by bluebar23 on Oct 5, 2019 16:34:58 GMT -5
Marigold was born the last weekend of May 2018. She is 3/4 Brown Swiss, 1/4 Red Holstein. She has been showing heats very regularly for quite awhile now. We have been trying to get her bred for several cycles... and by "trying" I mean calling the AI guy, finding out he's busy, everyone deciding "we still have plenty of time," and repeating that every three weeks 🙄
I really wasn't worried at first... but now I'm starting to be. We got a heat-detection sticker on her a couple of days ago. Last night she started acting squirrelly; first thing this morning, that sticker was bright green. Called the AI guy... and he can't get out. He called a guy he knows; no luck. I tried another guy I had a lead on a year ago, dead end. The only other person I know to call would be the vet, but it's definitely not worth an after-hours farm call fee.
If we had been able to get her bred today, that would have put her due for an early July calf. She would be 2 years and ~6 weeks old at that point. If we get her bred on her next heat cycle, she'll be just a bit past 26 months. And, of course, she might not take right away... (although she is a BIG girl and in very good condition).
I know the "ideal" calving age for a dairy heifer is 24 months. I know there is evidence that can make a good case for some leeway on that, in either direction. But I am really starting to fret as we push the outer limits! I also have a tendency to feel profound anxiety and distress if I don't hit the "ideal" mark on things that, in reality, are probably just fine to fudge a little 😂
So, I need to hear some experience and perspective! How much should I (not) be freaking out about this??
I really wasn't worried at first... but now I'm starting to be. We got a heat-detection sticker on her a couple of days ago. Last night she started acting squirrelly; first thing this morning, that sticker was bright green. Called the AI guy... and he can't get out. He called a guy he knows; no luck. I tried another guy I had a lead on a year ago, dead end. The only other person I know to call would be the vet, but it's definitely not worth an after-hours farm call fee.
If we had been able to get her bred today, that would have put her due for an early July calf. She would be 2 years and ~6 weeks old at that point. If we get her bred on her next heat cycle, she'll be just a bit past 26 months. And, of course, she might not take right away... (although she is a BIG girl and in very good condition).
I know the "ideal" calving age for a dairy heifer is 24 months. I know there is evidence that can make a good case for some leeway on that, in either direction. But I am really starting to fret as we push the outer limits! I also have a tendency to feel profound anxiety and distress if I don't hit the "ideal" mark on things that, in reality, are probably just fine to fudge a little 😂
So, I need to hear some experience and perspective! How much should I (not) be freaking out about this??