Ideas on how to get an old milk cow bred?

littlemother · #1 01/04/14, 04:14 PM

We live in sw Missouri, 1 hr north of Springfield. We were given an old (11 or so) milk cow that had just calved in October because she was having trouble getting around and keeping warm. Ideally we'd like to get a heifer calf from her to keep our family in milk, but we have not been able to discern a heat cycle in her. We technically should've gotten her bred back in December. The previous owners said they've never had any luck AIing a Jersey and have always just had a bull take care of it for them. Any ideas on how to get her pregnant??

We were wondering if someone nearby us might be willing to take her to their farm for awhile so a bull could get her pregnant for us and in exchange we would do whatever they were interested in...have her milk, labor, money, etc. Anyone interested??

DaleK · #2 01/04/14, 04:26 PM

Sounds like you wouldn't be doing her any favours and she's probably not healthy enough to conceive, and if she did she probably won't survive calving. She was free for a reason. Milk her out and make hamburger is the best you should hope for

txplowgirl · #3 01/04/14, 05:57 PM

Only 1 reason someone gives an old milk cow away for free.

suzyhomemaker09 · #4 01/06/14, 09:19 AM

Since you are in the area I remembered seeing this ad on CL....

http://springfield.craigslist.org/grd/4240030199.html

maybe they can help you out?
I do not know these folks..just remember seeing the ad.

Raymond James · #5 01/06/14, 09:33 AM

If by mid may you have not gotten something figured out for her. I would take her for the summer early fall to be with my angus bull. I would want her wormed prior to moving her.

You drop her off and let here stay till fall she should if she is going to cycle and get bred be bred by then.

Too bad I do not live closer to you and have a milk breed for you to use.

Delion · #6 01/06/14, 09:52 AM

We got an old grandma Aryshire cow, for our first milk cow!

When they get really old, they don't show much sign of coming into heat, maybe she'll wiggle her ears once or twice!

We ended up having to run her with a bull as it was impossible to AI. She produced 3 calves before her career was over.

I wouldn't get discouraged, give it a try to get her bred, if you get that little heifer calf, it will be worth the trouble. Here's wishing you success.