well, now I am confused...cattle heats

[darbyfamily]

I thought I'd noticed a definite pattern to Springs lower milk production, though there were no other signs around that. Then today, I got a ton of milk... almost half a gallon in the morning, which is really good for us currently. And she has some mucus hanging from her backside... looks like someone cracked an egg and left it hanging from her butt (yuck)

SO????

Now I just dont know! SIGH

help?

[milkinpigs]

Was the mucous clear or did it have blood in it?

[darbyfamily]

hard to say... maybe clear, but it was dirty, so it was hard to tell

[Chixarecute]

If the mucous is clear, it is probably a sign of estrus...milk production doesn't usually drop drastically at heat, you'll notice a small decrease, perhaps. Production may drop more if there are other cows in the herd mounting the animal in heat...keeps them from eating as much.

When a cow begins to stand for mounting when in heat, that is the time to call the AI tech to schedule a visit 12 hours later. The mucous follows at optimal breeding time. If you're using a bull...well, he usually can figure it out

[Chixarecute]

Darby family, forgot to ask, isn't this a newly fresh cow you are milking? Her production should continue to rise during the first 60-90 days, so maybe you are also seeing a natural increase that is camoflaging some "heat/activity loss" ? Anyway, enjoy the extra milk!

[darbyfamily]

nah, actually the calf is 6 mths old already... coming up on 7!!!