Dexter heifer question

[vegfarmer]

I have a 16 month old dexter heifer. She is going to be a family milk cow. A side note, I feel like a pervert fondeling a cows udder getting her used to being touched. I don't have scales but I'm pretty sure she is at least 60 percent of her adult weight. I need to have her bred. There is not a close dexter bull around and I only have the one cow so it is going to be hard to judge when to AI her. In the next pasture there is a brangus bull. I know that both angus and brahmen are known for small birth weight but would it still be to much for her first calf. We are planning to butcher the calf eventually so I am not concerned about the cross just the safety of calving. Thanks.

[francismilker]

Unless you know average birthweights from the bull in question I'd be leery about putting a bull of that size and stature on a small heifer or cow. It's just not the birthweight you have to deal with but also the extreme weight of a mature regular sized bull covering a smaller cow. It can be hard on the cow's frame and reproductive tract.
One option for A.I.ing could be to get ahold of an A.I. tech and tell them you need your heifer "brought-in" to heat. He/she can install a C-der (sp?) in the cow and leave it in for 7 days, then pull it and give her a shot of lutalyse. After 12 hours the heifer should be in prime estrus for breeding. It costs a little more but is worth is when trying to take care of a single animal.

[ihuntgsps]

depending on your location you might find someone that would allow you to leave her for a couple months so she can get bred. If you are close to Western IA we could easily work something out. I have more grass on my pastures than what my three Dexters can eat and my bull would enjoy a new friend.

[copperhead46]

Same here if you're close to Oklahoma, I've got plenty of grass and a very nice bull. Like Francismilker says, be sure that the neighbor bull throws low birthweight calves. Maybe you could go to a local auction and by a Jersey or young Angus bull to breed her, then sell him. I think really the AI method is the best for people with just one animal, then you can chose which bull you want and get one that is proven for low birthweight too.
P.J.

[genebo]

Low birthweight calves have less trouble being born than high birthweight calves.

Angus isn't a breed known for low birthweight calves. Some expensive Angus bulls are known to throw small calves.

But even that is relative. A small Angus calf might well be a very large Dexter calf. Too large a calf can be a major problem. I'd be afraid to risk it.

It's wonderful the other way, using a Dexter bull on an Angus cow. The little calves pop out of those big cows like watermelon seeds.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[kclementsdvm]

Originally Posted by francismilker

Unless you know average birthweights from the bull in question I'd be leery about putting a bull of that size and stature on a small heifer or cow. It's just not the birthweight you have to deal with but also the extreme weight of a mature regular sized bull covering a smaller cow. It can be hard on the cow's frame and reproductive tract.
One option for A.I.ing could be to get ahold of an A.I. tech and tell them you need your heifer "brought-in" to heat. He/she can install a C-der (sp?) in the cow and leave it in for 7 days, then pull it and give her a shot of lutalyse. After 12 hours the heifer should be in prime estrus for breeding. It costs a little more but is worth is when trying to take care of a single animal.

I would agree that the issue isn't just birthweight but also a mature bull covering a small heifer.

As far as AI goes, using the CIDR with the shot of lutalyse works well for bringing them into heat, but you wait 48 hours after the lutalyse, not 12. Alternately, if you've been able to see her cycling (vaginal mucus, behavior, etc.), you can try calling to get someone out that day. Not sure what the odds of that are - my practice can usually get someone out same day, but it's not always possible.