Based on a 286-day gestation, a cow bred on 1 May will calve on approximately 11 February 2018. Ask yourself the question: Is this too early for your farm, or is it too late?
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Some planning ahead of breeding can help to make important decisions before the breeding season starts. Based on a 286-day gestation, a cow bred on 1 May will calve on approximately 11 February 2018. Ask yourself the question: Is this too early for your farm, or is it too late?
If you are planning to use AI, cows should be tail-painted now and heats recorded before the breeding season starts. Teaser bulls should be vasectomised two months before they are required. Make sure cows are on a rising plane of nutrition (good-quality spring grass) and are gaining body condition in the next few weeks.
Also make sure vaccinations for BVD and lepto are up to date on cows and any breeding bulls. Stock bulls should be fertility tested prior to turnout with cows to make sure they are up to the job at hand.
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Turning out stock
Take care when turning out stock for the first time and, if possible, allow animals let off steam in an open yard before heading out. Animals can get excited on initial turnout and can sometimes test the fencing.
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Some planning ahead of breeding can help to make important decisions before the breeding season starts. Based on a 286-day gestation, a cow bred on 1 May will calve on approximately 11 February 2018. Ask yourself the question: Is this too early for your farm, or is it too late?
If you are planning to use AI, cows should be tail-painted now and heats recorded before the breeding season starts. Teaser bulls should be vasectomised two months before they are required. Make sure cows are on a rising plane of nutrition (good-quality spring grass) and are gaining body condition in the next few weeks.
Also make sure vaccinations for BVD and lepto are up to date on cows and any breeding bulls. Stock bulls should be fertility tested prior to turnout with cows to make sure they are up to the job at hand.
Turning out stock
Take care when turning out stock for the first time and, if possible, allow animals let off steam in an open yard before heading out. Animals can get excited on initial turnout and can sometimes test the fencing.
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