Fertility Diseases

Rob30 · #1 09/18/14, 06:40 AM

We have a small herd of cattle. A variety of breeds but most are highland, angus of galloway based. We have been having a problem with fertility rates. This year we only had 6 out of 11 cows calf. Last year we only had 2. I just noticed one of the cows that calved last year was being followed around by the bull yesterday. She should have calved by now, or at the very least be bred. It seems like our cows are only calving every two years, instead of yearly. I am thinking about bringing the vet in to preg check a few of the cows. The problem is the last time we brought the vet in for our sheep they really could not tell me a definite answer to the problems we were having. She was only able to tell me stuff I already new.
Any suggestions about what I could be dealing with? Tests I should get the vet to preform?
Our cattle are in very good shape. Feed quality and condition are not an issue. They are not fat, but deiffinatley not skinny. It is frustrating because I see the cows around here that look terrible after a long cold winter. Ours look great, but don't calf. All of our cows have produced a calf a some point.

Gretchen Ann · #2 09/18/14, 06:50 AM

Cattle can get venereal diseases. Your vet can get you set up on a vaccination program to help prevent these.

Do you have deer in your area? Deer can carry and transmit lepto and that will cause breeding problems. Again, you need to contact your vet.

G. Seddon · #3 09/18/14, 07:07 AM

A good vaccination program will help your cows, as will a good loose mineral.

Have the vet examine the cows as well to rule out other problems. Most importantly, have a breeding soundness exam (BSE) done on the bull; if he's lacking in some area, this might be the problem. If you get a new bull, have this done before you get him!

Hope this helps.

myheaven · #4 09/18/14, 07:18 AM

Both above me give the advise I would give. There is a vaccine called staybred. Helps with the lepto. Have your vet do a mineral panel on the cows check for std's and vaccinate.

Ceilismom · #5 09/18/14, 07:25 AM

Have you had your bull's fertility evaluated?

There are some plants that cause abortion in cattle, I believe eating excessive pine needles at the wrong time for example, will cause them to abort. Is there anything like that growing in your pastures?

What's your vaccination program? When DH and BIL had a commercial herd, they only ever gave pre-breeding vaccines to the replacement heifers, but still had a very good conception rate for the whole herd. I believe that was a combination of dumb luck, our neighbors being more proactive with the vaccines, and the fact that they only ever bought virgin bulls. I don't think most folks are or should gamble on being that lucky.

MO_cows · #6 09/18/14, 05:32 PM

Have you had the same bull the whole time? I would start by giving him a breeding soundness exam. And, is he old, maybe he is losing fertility? Old bulls still chase the girls -- but if he is sub-fertile you won't get a calf.

Do you keep records? Could it be so simple as some of your cows are calving at normal intervals, but you have others who are not? In that case, keep the ones who can do their job under your conditions and cull the rest.

Is there a cattlemens association in your area? You could probably go to one meeting, or make a few calls to members, and find out if trich or lepto or what diseases are in your area, what to test for.

And, another vote for good minerals.

haypoint · #7 09/18/14, 07:06 PM

My guess, based on nothing, in order of probability: bull fertility, ongoing infections, nutritional issues or a group of cull cows. I'm a great believer in minerals, especially selenium for breeding animals.
But I would like to hear what it was that the Vet told you that you already knew?
I did hear a guy say that the Vet couldn't help him, just said they had malnutrition, but he was sure he'd already vaccinated for that.

Rob30 · #8 09/19/14, 09:07 PM

Thanks, I guess I am in for a call to the vet.
I am reasonably sure it is not a nutritional issue. We have had this issue with our sheep before and now take care to ensure all our stock is well fed, with good hay and grain if they need it. Our mineral routine consists of mineral blocks. We buy the selenium blocks whenever we can and try to make sure the cows are never out of mineral.
We do have Deer running through our property al the time. In fact I just took a tangled fawn out of a fence a few weeks ago.
I don't believe it is the bull. I use a new bull each year. This year I am using a registered black angus bull I bought off a neighbour. He has 100% conception nearly every year.
As far as the last time I called the vet. It was for our sheep. We spent $300 to be told a list of about 10 diseases our sheep might have. We were told testing was going to be another $300, and we are not gauranteed to get a deffinative answer. We solved our issue without the vet by culling hard and adjusting our feeding program.

agmantoo · #9 09/19/14, 09:43 PM

This is the least expensive way to determine if the animals are pregnant. You can do the work yourself.
http://www.biopregcheck.com/

idigbeets · #10 09/20/14, 05:16 AM

Has that bull bred any other cows before? How do you know if he's any good? I'd get him checked, and vaccinate those cows. OR pay to have them all AI'd and preg check then... if they all take I'd blame the bull.

G. Seddon · #11 09/20/14, 07:55 AM

Rob30, do you keep the bull with the cows full-time, year-round or do you leave the bull in for a limited amount of time so you have a "calving season"? Do you keep track of when the bull is interested in a particular cow so that you can determine if she keeps cycling or carries full term? One of those big wall calendars is what I use to record breeding notes, calving dates, vet visits, anything pertaining to the cows.

I think your cows will do better with a good loose mineral formulated for your area instead of a block; blocks just don't supply enough of what they need.

Do you have a herd health program, annual vaccinations, preg-checks, etc? Your vet is your best partner in this. I know it's not cheap, but in the long run, I think you'll benefit from having the vet check each cow and do a BSE on the bull. Share your calving records, cow by cow, with the vet so that you can see the status of the whole herd; you might see a trend.

As far as I know, Johnes is what is carried by deer, not so much Lepto.

Gretchen Ann · #12 09/20/14, 08:12 AM

Spending $$$ for testing is a hard thing to do, but the bottom line is, what is a calf worth to you, what are 2, 3, 4 or more calves worth?

Here in northern Indiana, Lepto is carried by deer, contact Purdue University for proof.

Lepto or Johnes, they can decimate a herd if you aren't on top of it.

haypoint · #13 09/20/14, 09:36 AM

Lepto is spread by rats. That is how most dogs in Michigan get it anyway. In their urine. People can get Lepto, too.

Missourifarmboy · #14 09/20/14, 08:44 PM

Doesn't cost much here to have a vet preg check cows way less than wasting an entire year without a calf. Curious does the bull run with the cows all year, 9 months , 6 months?

msscamp · #15 09/20/14, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob30

Our mineral routine consists of mineral blocks.

Mineral blocks are useless because they are mostly salt. If you read the label, you will probably notice the wording "Trace Mineral Block" right under the name of the company or the block name. There is a good reason for that - that's all the mineral they contain. Start buying a good, loose mineral such as Cargill Right Now, ADM, I don't like Purina products, but I've heard that Wind and Rain is a good mineral, and keep your herd supplied 24/7/365. Don't be surprised if they go through it like wildfire for the first month or so.

As far as your sheep not conceiving - what are you feeding them? I've read a lot of articles about straight alfalfa hay interfering with conception due to the phytoestrogens that the alfalfa contains. It can also happen with cattle and goats, but sheep are more susceptible.

I would hazard to guess that it is something in your management program as opposed to a disease because Leptospirosis, Brucellosis, Vibriosis, and Chlymadia(sp?) usually cause abortions rather than lower fertility. I can't remember what problems Trich(carried by bulls) causes. I hope this helps.

ETA: How do you provide water? Do they have tanks or do you use ponds/dug outs/etc? If you use ponds/dug outs that is a good way to introduce disease to your herd because the wild life has access to them, as well. Deer, Elk, ducks, geese - whatever you have in your area - swims, stands, urinates, and defecates in the water your cattle are drinking. Deer can introduce Lepto, Elk and Buffalo carry Brucellosis, ducks and geese carry their own health hazards.