Pedigree heifer not holding to bull

[aled1590]

Just asking for advice and opinions on where I stand with an issue we have on a heifer.
Bought a pedigree heifer privately back in spring 20 for a good sum, turned out with bull along with 8 other heifers, some bought in some homebred. All in calf except this one which was the most expensive, nearly double what we paid for others. Given her more chances over the autumn, I’ve seen the bull serving her but still she keeps on coming on heat 3 weeks later. She’s getting on 27m now so will have to fatten her, obviously going to lose money on her. Is it just a case of oh well it’s the risk we take when buying in or do we have a leg to stand on if I contact the seller? Maybe if he/she contributes a bit to the difference between price we paid and the fat price? Opinions much appreciated

 

[Paul E]

depends on where you bought her and what warranty was given.
Speak to vendor - if they're any good they'll see that you're helped out.

 

[Farmer 83563]

Just asking for advice and opinions on where I stand with an issue we have on a heifer.
Bought a pedigree heifer privately back in spring 20 for a good sum, turned out with bull along with 8 other heifers, some bought in some homebred. All in calf except this one which was the most expensive, nearly double what we paid for others. Given her more chances over the autumn, I’ve seen the bull serving her but still she keeps on coming on heat 3 weeks later. She’s getting on 27m now so will have to fatten her, obviously going to lose money on her. Is it just a case of oh well it’s the risk we take when buying in or do we have a leg to stand on if I contact the seller? Maybe if he/she contributes a bit to the difference between price we paid and the fat price? Opinions much appreciated

Was she bought private or though auction? If private was she sold under NBA rules? ... makes no real difference but interesting to know.

A heifer I sold for £1700ish at at a breeding sale a few years back wouldn't stand to the bull with the buyer. I arranged collection as soon as he notified me and reimbursed him the full amount with 6mth keep. Took her straight to grazing cows sale and took the loss on the chin - don't regret it for a moment. Your seller should do the same.

 

[M-J-G]

Contact her breeder
First check she's not a Freemartin, if she is that would be more straightforward.

As @Paul E says, if the breeder is any good they will see you right.

 

[czechmate]

We’re much more laid back than most. We bung heifers with a bull and leave them to it. We’ve had three now, calve some months after their buddies had their second. Keeps the bull entertained. Not saying anything really except, she might get in calf yet?

 

[aled1590]

The bull went in beginning of may and came out end august/beginning September then scanned few weeks later. So went back to bull for I’d say 6 weeks and still nothing. Not sure how many chances I should give a heifer really

depends on where you bought her and what warranty was given.
Speak to vendor - if they're any good they'll see that you're helped out.

privately off farm, didn’t really mention any warranty

 

[betweenthelines]

The bull went in beginning of may and came out end august/beginning September then scanned few weeks later. So went back to bull for I’d say 6 weeks and still nothing. Not sure how many chances I should give a heifer really

privately off farm, didn’t really mention any warranty

If the vendor knew you wanted to breed from her (fairly self evident if you bought pedigree) he should be refunding you as she's not fit for purpose

 

[Happy at it]

What did the scanner say about her . Did he notice anything strange, any cysts etc any evidence of fluid etc to suggest she could have lost a calve etc?

 

[Pistonbroke]

We bought a pedigree lim heifer once and AI'd her five times, every three weeks and she calved to the first one

 

[Purli R]

The bull went in beginning of may and came out end august/beginning September then scanned few weeks later. So went back to bull for I’d say 6 weeks and still nothing. Not sure how many chances I should give a heifer really

privately off farm, didn’t really mention any warranty

As above,try vendor they should meet you at least halfway. If its a none breeder confirmed by your vet that gives you abit more leverage (as in nobody can blame your bull) If vendor is genuine theres no problem.

 

[Werzle]

Get the vet to check her before ringing the vendor, first thing he is going to ask is what does the vet say about her

 

[M-J-G]

The bull went in beginning of may and came out end august/beginning September then scanned few weeks later. So went back to bull for I’d say 6 weeks and still nothing. Not sure how many chances I should give a heifer really

privately off farm, didn’t really mention any warranty

I'm told that under trade descriptions, if she's sold to you as a breeding heifer she should be capable of breeding

 

[Treecreeper]

Do you know if she's cycling? If she is but not holding there isn't much you can do. Speak to your vet about an implant if not bulling you will then have a known service date to work from. Let the breeder know but I would give her another chance.

 

[Agri Spec Solicitor]

We once bought a group of expensive heifers which contained one really good specimen.
We could not get it in calf with our bull, and our vet said she seemed to be correct.
I informed the seller who took it back, refunded the price paid, put it to the bull , and never looked back. Was our bull not a worker? Was she too well fed ? There was no obvious reason. I think we probably keep our cattle too well fed.
If it happened again I would try to slim them down then start some feed before introducing the bull.
As to the legal situation it depends on the contract but there are usually fairly short deadlines.

 

[Hesstondriver]

vet job , end of .

get her scanned, may be run some bloods inc minerals etc.

she may just be cystic and need a clear out.

you haven't said which breed she is . but your last resort would probably be to change breed and either AI to blue or angus or that 'mix of 3 or 4 bulls ai companies do (i cant remember its name) or depending on your health status run her with another bull.

i know a x bred calf is not ideal if you want pedigree but id rather have 1 x bred and know youve kick started her breeding cycle rather than kill good pedigree heifer.

 

[Wolds Beef]

Was she blood tested? Could it be a fertility Problem? There are certain problems that hinder fertility. Have some bloods done and see what turns up.
WB

 

[Werzle]

If the vet says she is perfect inside you have no chance of getting you money back. Run her with a jersey bull, sods law he will stop her!

 

[Bill the Bass]

I have had pedigree heifers checked by the vet, all fine then ran with four different bulls here and not got in calf, then sent to mates for a summer and still not in calf. Sometimes pedigrees are just sh1te, do get some blood samples done though, copper and selenium play havoc here some years.

 

[Wolds Beef]

Check her Neospora status with a blood test. High health herds are moving in this direction so if you have an annual test specify as one of the look/see and cull accordingly. Just as an aside are there many pedigree breeders doing this at the moment and commercial men worry about this?
WB

 

[sheep breeder]

The bull went in beginning of may and came out end august/beginning September then scanned few weeks later. So went back to bull for I’d say 6 weeks and still nothing. Not sure how many chances I should give a heifer really

privately off farm, didn’t really mention any warranty

Did you get the pedigree cert with the animal when purchased, all heifers are sold as maiden and presumed fit to go in calf and it seems this heifer got every chance to go in calf and the bull has got the others incalf so no problem with the bull. So its back to the heifer which has not done what she was purchased for to breed, ring the seller and explain she has not taken the bull and all other heifers are scanned in calf. Don’t bother taking bloods etc. Under society rules the animal is sold as a breeder and the seller should sort out the problem quickly to keep his good name.