breeding question

[stevetas]

We have been given 2 cows that are 7-8 years old but have not been bred with for 4 years. Can a cow still come into heat and be breed with after all this time? Or should they be used as food?

Steve

[zephyrhillsusan]

What is their condition like? Are they overweight? If so, you could have a hard time getting them bred. I haven't personally experienced a gap that long in breeding. Our first cow was dry and open when we bought her, but she had recently slipped a calf. We took her to a local AI clinic, and she took on the first try. But four years is a long time open.  

I would observe them and see if you see signs of them coming in heat, like mooing a lot, mounting each other, bleed-off (bloody mucus under the tail), etc. If they do, I would think you're okay. If not, I'd have a vet evaluate them before I decided to butcher them. Do you know anyone with a bull you could leave the cows with to see what happens? A bull would be your best expert opinion. 

Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.

[sveinncstorm]

Your cows should be fine. It is important that they are in good shape which means not overweight or underweight. I lent one of my bulls to someone with your same situation. We left the bull on the other side of the fence from the cow for a couple of weeks. By the end of that time they developed quite an interest in each other. The cow did not catch on the her first cycle but the second time was a charm. She has calved three times since from ten to thirteen months months apart.

[Deleted]

Be fine-is important in a life