Fontanelle, IA | Big Swede - 11/21/2024 19:23
I’ve noticed this trend in recent years and am wondering if anyone else is seeing the same thing. We preg checked our cows last week and our 3 year old cows pregnancy percentage was disappointing as usual. You would think after having two calves that they would be well on their way to a long productive life but not so much. Our 2 year old heifers have always bred back relatively well, less than 5% open, but our 3’s were running about 15% open which is a trend I’ve noticed lately. We keep the coming 2’s and coming 3’s separate from the mature herd during the winter feeding period and are always in good shape going to grass and are bred for a 60 day breeding season. I don’t get it. If they weren’t in good shape I could understand but I baby this group to try to get them bred. Any thoughts?
Lots of bulls “here” were culled before bull turnout after the effects of the 14 day frigid blizzard in January 2024. 1 of my local vets claims 35-40% of mature bulls either Flunked (with a capital F) or are/were borderline and just squeaked by with a D- at their Soundness exam. |
Third time losers
