What'd you think?

[piglady]

According to my calendar, this hiefer (1/2 Jersey and 1/2 Holstien) must calve by September 30th or else she can't calve until Christmas (not with a bull during this time). I can't really tell much difference in the size of her bag in the last 6 weeks and she doesnt' really look springy but her tail bone seems to have changed. She will be two in january and is bred to a highland bull.

So, do you think she will go in the next two and a half weeks or in 3 months? If soon, how soon?

If she goes now, we can't milk her. DH will be having back surgery and I'll be working and taking care of him. We have a friend that has been wanting a milk cow and he seems to come to our rescue a lot when Ken is down with his back (which is happening more and more). I don't want to sell her for numerous reasons but she will have too much milk for one calf. We are thinking about letting him take her and milk her for his family and raise the calf for us, then bring them back to us in 9 months or so when she dries up. We have another one that is due in December so if Ken gets better, we will have more than enough milk for ourselves then. What do you think?

[ksfarmer]

Calve by Oct. 5. if not sooner.

[matt_man]

I think she will go by the end of the month as well. You could always get a second calf to graft onto her when hers gets here. Just do supervised feedings for a few days/a week until you see them both nursing without her putting up a fuss. It seems it would be much less complicated that way.

Rachel

[Up North]

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

Calve by Oct. 5. if not sooner.

I agree.

[Karin L]

Yeah I'd say another 3 or 4 weeks to go yet.

[francismilker]

Looking pretty close in the back end area for a heifer. I agree. A calf ought to come real soon.

[piglady]

Thanks guys. Our friend came and got her yesterday. We thought it would be easier to move her now than after she calves and they can start working with her. We are hoping the surgery for Ken goes well and he is able to milk the second hiefer for us when she delivers in December. I'll let you know when the calf gets here and share a picture. I can't wait to see what this highland/jersery/holstien looks like!