Chatroom

All Forums

"You Bought WHAT?!"

Breeding

Looking to breed Clover this fall

Note: You must be logged in to post.
To log in, click here.
To join Heritage Jersey Organization, click here. It’s FREE!

Screensize:

Format Mode:

Format:

Message:

* HTML is OFF
* Forum Code is ON

Smilies

Check here to include your profile signature.
Check here to subscribe to this topic.

T O P I C R E V I E W
CloversMum	Posted - Jul 22 2014 : 11:07:14 AM I hope to breed Clover this coming fall and am beginning my search for the right bull for her. This is the first time for Clover and I've never bred cows before; in fact, Clover is the first cow I've ever had. Clover is not with other cows so I am concerned that I won't be able to tell when she's in heat. She is petite, although her mom was a full-size Jersey. I would really like to breed Clover to a smaller bull. Any advice, suggestions, or help that anyone can send my way would be greatly appreciated!
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
NellieBelle	Posted - Nov 09 2014 : 03:37:15 AM It makes my heart sing Charlene. Yes, all will be good and you will have a pregnant Clover before you know it. Christmas at MaryJane's sounds like a wonderful place for Clover and she will be in the best possible hands. Enjoy your journey. Sometimes things just work out better than we could even hope for, and I hope this is the case with Clover.
Ron	Posted - Nov 08 2014 : 3:50:02 PM Totally wonderful Charlene. Here is to a good healthy heifer. The old fashioned way!
CloversMum	Posted - Nov 08 2014 : 3:45:07 PM Onward and upward! I visited MaryJane's farm this morning to really look at Samson and discuss with MaryJane who would be best for Clover's breeding. I so appreciate all her wisdom! We decided to try breeding Clover with Beau Vine who is smaller than Samson, absolutely beautiful markings, and great genetics. What a blessing! I am grateful. For Clover's first time of breeding and calving, I am thinking that a smaller bull will be better for her breeding and delivery. Next week, I will take Clover to WSU and get Clover tested for TB, Q Fever, Johne's, BVD, and BLV just as a precaution before bringing her over to MaryJane's farm. MaryJane keeps a closed herd and all animals coming into contact with her farm or her animals must be proven to be healthy. I appreciate that so much! And, I do the exact same thing with my own closed goat herd. After MaryJane and I had talked and came to the same decision about Beau Vine, Beau Vine started moo-ing from his own pasture and walking down towards us. It was like he was asking, "Well, tell me about Clover...is she pretty? Got good legs? Will I like her?" It was so funny! MaryJane said he hadn't been that talkative in quite a while. Janet, you are right...I'm doing so much better now that we have a second plan of action and it will be good. Clover will spend the holidays over at MaryJane's Farm...now how many of us wouldn't desire that? The life of a cow is a good one!! And, thank you, MaryJane for all of your kindness, advice, time, and encouragement. I am learning a ton and will be so appreciative of Clover's milk some day.
NellieBelle	Posted - Nov 08 2014 : 04:23:33 AM Yes, see, playing cupid. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Clover picks one out for you. ;) It's on and forward and all is going to work out and you will be getting your lovely Clover bred and pregnant before you know it. It's all good, and you have MaryJane to help you along. It's a good day and things will all work out. Give Clover a big hug and your family a hello and get ready for the next exciting chapter in your cow family adventure!
Ron	Posted - Nov 08 2014 : 03:44:06 AM That is so great to have so many good Bulls availble so close. You sure can't go wrong with any of the animals MJ has. So much less stress on the cow to breed natural. The old tale around here is if the bull catches the cows right as she comes into standing heat that you chances for a heifer calf are REAL good. Has worked here last couple years!
CloversMum	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 9:11:52 PM Thanks for all the kind and encouraging words! I especially appreciated hearing that Ron and Janet actually plan for breeding in December...it's not too late! Whew! I have learned a lot...we can definitely tell when Clover is in heat and she truly was in heat...I can trust what I saw. It still amazes me since the WSU vets felt that Clover was text book perfect for the actual AI procedure...she had been given the standard protocol of hormones and yet her body still knew what to do naturally as she has gone into heat exactly every 21 days for the past three cycles. Sometimes, you just can't mess with nature! Janet, I'm not sure I would handle waiting five cycles to see if a cow was pregnant. My hat is off to you! However, I still go back to the fact that I even have a cow (and I love my Clover!) and I do believe that a live bull will do the trick. Now, to play Cupid and decide which bull to use. MaryJane has given me a choice...I am consulting with Clover to see what is her dream boat of a bull!
chives	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 8:05:23 PM Oh Charlene so sorry about Clover. Its sounds like her next venture will most likely turn out different. Keep us all posted.
farmlife	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 7:05:13 PM Bummer! At least you know one way or the other and can move on to the next step. Good to have a bull as a back up plan!
NellieBelle	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 5:33:44 PM I know the disappointment Charlene. But it will pass quickly once you move on to the next step, which sounds like it will be with MaryJane's bull. Like Ron said, the bull will get the job done. There's just something to be said about going about things the natural way. I had to wait 5 times for Sienna. But, we finally got her bred. You hang in there Charlene, things are going to fall into place and everything will work out. You have us all in your corner. Yes, Ron, December or even January. Sienna was bred early part of January and had her calf in Oct, which worked out good for us. Nice weather. (except for the unusual amt. of rain this year.)
Ron	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 4:45:16 PM Don't be bummed Charlene. Learning is great! Something to be said for the old bull! The bull will get the job done! Breeding in December is been our time of choice. Works out good for a September or so calf!
CloversMum	Posted - Nov 07 2014 : 4:40:32 PM So, we took Clovers blood sample to the lab this morning. I received the results via email this afternoon. What I suspected is the case, Clover is not pregnant and most likely was in heat yesterday and today. So the AI did not work for her this time. But the plan is now to take her to MaryJanes Farm and breed her to one of her bulls. I have a meeting tonight so will write more later but I know several of you were wondering. I suspected that she was not bred but I am still disappointed.
CloversMum	Posted - Nov 03 2014 : 9:15:30 PM You are more than welcome, Vicki. I do hope I can find out Clover's results the same day...not sure I'd survive a whole weekend waiting! Or rather, I'm not sure my family could survive me waiting the whole weekend!
chives	Posted - Nov 02 2014 : 7:17:18 PM Thanks Charlene, I really appreciate the time you took to tell me the info. I know it will be awhile for Annabelle. How exciting for Friday. I hope you do find out the same day. I bet your on pins and needles.
CloversMum	Posted - Nov 02 2014 : 4:43:29 PM Hi Vicki, The WSU Veterinary Hospital is located right on campus (Washington State University) in Pullman, WA. Pullman, WA, is located about 80 miles south of Spokane, WA. When I spoke To Dr. Lisa Pearson, she highly recommended not leaving Clover at the clinic. However, Shelton, WA, is much farther away than we are so a stay might be recommended. Originally, I had considered leaving Clover there and Dr. Pearson said that she would need to be there for about 8-10 days. However, I scheduled farm visits so Clover could stay in her familiar environment. With a heifer being bred, new research has suggested a shorter protocol. So with Clover, the vets came out three separate visits. Day 1:Place vaginal progesterone CIDR and administer GnRH Day 5:Remove CIDR and administer PGF2 alpha Day 8: AI and administer GnRH Dr. Pearson concluded, "Recent studies have shown pregnancy rates of 55-60% in heifers when using a slightly shortened protocol compared to cows (ie, the 7 day CIDR we discussed previously). This is because heifers tend to have slightly shorter ovarian follicle development than cows. By adapting for a shorter protocol we will be giving Clover the best chance to become pregnant." So, this coming Friday I will do a blood draw (with MaryJane's help, thankfully!) and hopefully get results the same day. Let me know if I didn't answer your question or if you have others. I really liked the WSU vet clinic and appreciated the vets there, too. All of them were helpful, very willing to answer my questions, explain everything they were doing, and were on time for all their farm visits!
chives	Posted - Oct 31 2014 : 9:51:55 PM Oh boy there is so much to learn. Where exactly is the WSU extension that you take your cows? When Annabelle is old enough I can purchase semen, have it sent to the WSU, take her there. How long would I have to keep her there? I think I'm rambling a bit. Vicki
CloversMum	Posted - Oct 31 2014 : 9:08:35 PM OK folks...only one more week of waiting to see if Clover is pregnant! I can hardly sit still...this is definitely worse than waiting for Christmas morning...I am sure of it!
Ron	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 8:00:34 PM Sure no problem. Just catching up on paperwork here.
farmlife	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 7:59:07 PM Do you have a second, Ron. If I email you some cow links would you give me your opinion? quote: Originally posted by Ron Lol, well a Bull needs loved too! Even if they only work once a Year! I do miss my bull being here. The old lug. They definitely are a hand full compared to the cows.
Ron	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 7:53:32 PM Lol, well a Bull needs loved too! Even if they only work once a Year! I do miss my bull being here. The old lug. They definitely are a hand full compared to the cows.
farmlife	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 7:41:10 PM Always presenting the male point of view, Ron. Way to keep all of us remembering the male's very important role in this process. quote: Originally posted by Ron Well it has been a rough week with the mud and not feeling well and all. I am sure being it is Mary Janes a Bull that Hecwill totally understand the situation and be very forgiving!
Ron	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 7:02:16 PM Well it has been a rough week with the mud and not feeling well and all. I am sure being it is Mary Janes a Bull that Hecwill totally understand the situation and be very forgiving!
NellieBelle	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 6:58:51 PM Absolutely, how short sighted of me.
Ron	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 6:51:32 PM Well let's not forget to give the Bull a big thank you also! :)
NellieBelle	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 09:19:07 AM So thankful MaryJane and you are so close Charlene. Everything will work out, you'll see. You will be one happy milking family in time. You've got a lot of folks who are sending their well wishes and are backing you from afar, but it's so nice MaryJane is able to help. It's all looking good and I hope Clover's access heals up quickly. Sending happy and positive thoughts your way dear lady.
farmlife	Posted - Oct 17 2014 : 08:59:37 AM It sounds like you are keeping a good sense of humor about it. What a great thing to get to use one of MaryJane's bulls! It seems like the perfect solution since Clover is not following AI protocol and a bull wouldn't mind one bit. What fun for you and MaryJane both to wait for the new baby as well. Oh, that's even more exciting than AI. It's more like matchmaking. Too fun! The main thing is to get Clover healed up and tested so she is ready for her date. She is so lucky to have a home where everyone is so attentive to her needs. I bet you will have milk before you know it! quote: Originally posted by CloversMum Oh my, yes it is confusing and a bit amusing! Here we try to overrule nature and Clover just continues to do what she was born to do as a cow! :-) And, here is a big thank you to MaryJane! She talked with me yesterday after a very long day for herself and helped me sort things out. I am fairly confident now that Clover is not pregnant via AI and did, indeed, go into heat yesterday. She is not moo-ing today and carrying on like she was. I do have a call into the WSU vets as I noticed yesterday that Clover has a small abscess from one of the vaccines given. She was very sensitive of this lump (we've noticed it for a while and the vets saw it a few weeks ago); but, yesterday afternoon it started draining. I cleaned it out with iodine (wearing gloves!) but will wait to hear back from the vets today. So, that must get healed up. I will also have her tested for TB. Then, later on the plan is to have her visit MaryJane's farm with one of her bulls. So very grateful for MaryJane's encouragement, advice, and wisdom. Thank you, MaryJane. Clover will be bred some day! And we will laugh and enjoy a calf some day! And I will enjoy her cream in my coffee some day!