|
|
Post by pasohorsegal on Oct 22, 2011 1:33:53 GMT -5
I'm looking at a short legged Dexter that they just took her calf off . they said she should still be fresh for two or three months . I thought Dairy cows stay fresh until you dry them up about two months before they calf. She was bred Sept 20 but its to early to know if she setteled... Please advise. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by marion on Oct 22, 2011 4:34:13 GMT -5
It depends on the individual. I have milked the full ten month lactation but some may tend to want to dry off earlier..marion
|
|
|
|
Post by bub on Oct 22, 2011 6:16:18 GMT -5
How long ago did they take the calf off her and are they milking her now. U said she is a short leg cow is she tall enough that u can milk her. I have seen some that I don't think u could get a bucket under.
|
|
|
|
Post by kansasdexters on Oct 22, 2011 8:03:58 GMT -5
Most of our Dexter cows will normally wean their own calf around 9 to 10 months of age and dry-off. If we take a calf prior to that time and wean it at 5 or 6 months of age, the cow will dry-off in a couple of weeks, unless she is milked every day. If she is milked every day, she will continue to produce milk until she would normally dry-off when the calf was about 10 months old.
But we also have a couple of Dexter cows that will stay in milk as long as they have a calf nursing them or they are being milked, right up until they have their next calf. With those cows, it is important to separate them from their calf (and any other calf that might try to nurse them), and stop milking them, at least 6 weeks before they have their next calf.
Milk production will normally decline after a cow is bred back. If you are milking the cow, you may notice this drop in production. If a cow is not bred back, she may stay in milk longer than she would have if she was pregnant, but she won't freshen again until she has another calf.
Patti
|
|
|
|
Post by pasohorsegal on Oct 22, 2011 11:28:47 GMT -5
I dont know how short she is as yet Im waiting for more info and pictures. She has been milked , they just took the calf off of her and she was Bred Sept 20 to early to comfurm. They said she should be fresh another two or three months.
Im thinking of the ecconomics as I want a milking cow , but as I dont have a bull handy . and would have AI...Thanks for the input.
|
|
lsg
member
Posts: 247 
|
Post by lsg on Oct 22, 2011 12:00:53 GMT -5
My Dexter cows usually slack off a lot in production six or seven months after they calve.
|
|
|
|
Post by pasohorsegal on Oct 22, 2011 15:11:13 GMT -5
Do Jerseys and other dairy breeds dry up as soon. Let say ,when my calf is three months old I breed back my cow will she continue to lactate untill I dry her several months before the next calf is born and when is the best time to breed back? Thanks
|
|
lsg
member
Posts: 247
|
Post by lsg on Oct 22, 2011 15:19:24 GMT -5
My Jerseys seem to produce milk for a longer period than my Dexters. Depending on the condition of the cow, I sometimes breed my younger cows back earlier than three months. If the cow is older, I would probably wait at least three months before breeding her back.
|
|
|
|
Post by pasohorsegal on Oct 22, 2011 15:39:16 GMT -5
very informative  |
|
|
|
Post by pasohorsegal on Oct 22, 2011 20:06:14 GMT -5
Oh Wow interesting! I would guess it would depend how well fed a cow was . I have an acre and half cow pasture waiting for a cow , however I'm feeding 11 horses in Paddocks and turn them out for exercises on 7 acres. I feed according to how they are doing condition wise . I feed more in the winter and add grain according to their body mass. I would think you would do the same with the bovine world although most cows look kinda skinny to me! |
|
