Yet Another Bawling Question...

[DenMacII]

Hello All,

In the past few days our cow has been bawling. She was bred back a couple of weeks ago, and she's a week from being 21 days out, so I don't think she's in heat.

We did send our steer off to the butcher recently, so I think some of this is from a lack of a companion.

The main thing I am noticing is that the bawling seems to be directed at her 5 month old calf. He has become very independent, and doesn't come to her when called. He also does not seem to be milking at near the frequency he used to. He spends much of his day browsing in the pasture, and eats well when orchard grass or alfalfa is offered - and hits the water trough far more often then I seem him nursing.

It would seem to me that he is weening himself - albeit not cold-turkey; but maybe 1/3 to 1/4 of how often he used to nurse. Our cow does not seem to have a full-to-the-brim udder, but I have not seen her look empty either.

I guess my question is; is it typical for a 5 month old calf to ween themselves? Or maybe is the Mama cow being more protective in the absence of the steer? What ever the case, I am planning to add a heifer/cow soon.

Thanks as always for all your insight!

[francismilker]

I would personally suggest that she's suffering from the "empty nest" syndrome and the absence of the steer has got her all fouled up. Are you sure the steer wasn't nursing her?

[DenMacII]

I, too, have my suspicions about the change in dynamic of our small heard has caused her some stress. We basically have the three head (including calf on 3 1/2 acres of irrigated pasture). I never saw the steer nurse from her, and the steer was not her offspring.

They did get along, and thanks to his efforts during her last standing heat we were able to AI her. He was definitely the protector of our small herd.

Still, I don't see anywhere near the frequency of the calf nursing like he used to. He is also getting taller, and he looks quite awkward when he tries to nurse.

We are going forward looking to find a cow/heifer that we will breed along side our cow. Hopefully having two cows, and two new calves when we send each year's meat to the freezer, we won't have this problem in the future.

I am still curious though about the weening. One time today when the cow was bawling she walked over to the calf and he squared up to her and was trying to butt heads with her and push her. It was actually pretty cute, because she is still five times his size. He made no effort to nurse, but that seemed to be what she was asking for.