testing for free martin

[lasergrl]

So i got a jersey heifer that may be about 3 months old. is she too old/big to palpate for free amrtin using a gloved finger?
I see there is a blood test but having a hard time finding a price. Anyone tested with blood before?

[francismilker]

I'm not familiar with the bloodtest for checking freemartin. I've seen a vet use a test tube inserted into the vulva to see if it's a "shut" door or not.

[matt_man]

From what I've seen the test costs about $30. I don't know where you get it done though.

Rachel

[Trisha in WA]

You should be able to have her checked by the time she is butchering age or breeding age. If you are planning to butcher her if she is a free martin, then you'll have to wait anyway. So your not loosing anything by waiting...except of course if you are like me, you want to know NOW LOL
Trisha

[lasergrl]

I bought her for resale, and didnt plan to keep her (but am thinking about it now that she is so sweet). I dont want to sell her as a family cow if she is sterile.

[topside1]

How much did you pay for her, that will usually determine if she's a freemartin. Most sale barns test and mark the animal accordingly. Just use a lubricated test tube, look up freemartin probe on the internet and the site will tell you what depth is a freemartin, and what depth is a normal heifer....not much to it, just guessing here but if the tube goes in an inch and stops, it's a freemartin, way beyond an inch and she's normal....Google freemartin probe or tube....TJ

[topside1]

Week old Freemartin heifer's go for $25 at my barn. Week old normal heifers go for $250-$500.

[lasergrl]

she was $160, the larger heifer in the other pics. I think you said she was 3 months or so. This sale barn is largely run by amish. I have never heard them say one was a freemartin. I dont think they even test. I have seen the occational day old heifer jersey there. I would guess those are almost certainly freemartins, but they still bring much higher then the $3-$25 bull calves. So either they dont test or people around here dont know about freemartins.
Her low price is no suprise at this auction, even if she isnt freemartin, but I want to be sure. She acts like a bottle calf, so who knows her background.

So, a gloved finger is long enough for a probe then?

[lasergrl]

well i just looked it up and a finger isnt long enough so I will have to figure something else out to use. I dont think my test tubes arent long enough either, as the depth on freemartin could be up to 6 inches.

[topside1]

Laser, you may have already read this....just trying to help...TJ


Newly developed vaginal probe to detect freemartin heifers and/or determine if heifers born co-twin to a bull have a normal reproductive tract. The crucial probe end length is 7 cm. Research has shown that no freemartin calf has a vaginal length longer than 7 cm. The digital end of the narrower center section is 14 cm from the tip. Over 95% of heifers born co-twin to a bull and with a normal reproductive tract have a vaginal length of 14 cm or more. If vaginal length is 7-14 cm, a chromosome testing should be done to confirm if it’s a freemartin. It is designed to be used on heifers 30 days of age or less.

[agmantoo]

http://www.valleyvet.com/Farm/Equipm...eemartin-Probe

[lasergrl]

the trouble is she is way too old to use that device. Thank you though.

[Madsaw]

Girl,
Check you PM's. You will see my explanation to the low price of the heifer.
Think about the advice I seent you. Us the number anytime
Bob