Sucklers anyone miss them ?

Henarar

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Somerset
We have just calved 12 out of a group of 20, BBX and Limx heifers at 2yrs old to an Angus bull, all heifers pelvic scored, fed tmr as recommended, look in perfect condition for calving but its been hell.
So far 1 calved unassisted, 2 needed a bit of help, 5 were really hard pull and 4 needed C-Section.
The calves not that big but just have big shoulders which has caused the problems. This is the first time using an AA bull, normally use Lim with few issues.
Just except there are good and bad bulls for calving in most breeds, just have to find the good ones same with some cows.
Had to assist one of our pedigree blues a few days ago as the calf had a leg back, shoved it back in pulled the leg round and it fell out easy enough previous 3 to that calved on their own,
Not sure what you blame a leg back on, cows fault? Calves fault? Or just one of those things ?

Last really bad calving we had here was an Angus heifer on to an Angus bull, hard pull ended with a dead calf, we have used other Angus bulls since without much hassle.
 

serri

Member
Location
leicestershire
Just except there are good and bad bulls for calving in most breeds, just have to find the good ones same with some cows.
Had to assist one of our pedigree blues a few days ago as the calf had a leg back, shoved it back in pulled the leg round and it fell out easy enough previous 3 to that calved on their own,
Not sure what you blame a leg back on, cows fault? Calves fault? Or just one of those things ?

Last really bad calving we had here was an Angus heifer on to an Angus bull, hard pull ended with a dead calf, we have used other Angus bulls since without much hassle.
All the heifers were AI’d to two different AA bulls, all the C- Sections have been to one bull in particular . One is certainly easier than the other. True what you say, there are good and bad in most breeds. At least all cows and and calves are alive and doing well.
 
Location
Cleveland
We have just calved 12 out of a group of 20, BBX and Limx heifers at 2yrs old to an Angus bull, all heifers pelvic scored, fed tmr as recommended, look in perfect condition for calving but its been hell.
So far 1 calved unassisted, 2 needed a bit of help, 5 were really hard pull and 4 needed C-Section.
The calves not that big but just have big shoulders which has caused the problems. This is the first time using an AA bull, normally use Lim with few issues.
Too many experts telling everyone how it should be done, some of our cows that look like bulls spit their calves out and plain looking things need jacking out….plus no two years are the same….some years the same cow will calve itself one year and the next year it needs a hard pull…..if you get the right limmy bull it takes some beating, slip out like rats and grow like a weed.
 

Henarar

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Somerset
Too many experts telling everyone how it should be done, some of our cows that look like bulls spit their calves out and plain looking things need jacking out
Yep don't always work how you think, our first Pedigree blue heifer we bought was quite heavy muscled, we put her in calf to our blue bull, got told on here that ped blues couldn't be calved without a knife, worried about her, she was in very good nick when she was due, woke up one night and looked on the camera and she was on calving, rushed up the shed just in time to see the bull calf's back feet come out, done it on her own.
 

Jonp

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Gwent
In my experience that normally means there isn’t enough room for the calf to come out, big calf, narrow pelvis or maybe fat cow or a combination of all three.
Pelvis score good, not fat but the calf was on the big side (according to the knacker man!!).....try to hire an easy calving bull but only having a small herd it limits my choice somewhat.
Off to see this years bull this afternoon and some of this years calves from him....hope I make the right choice as I'm certainly no expert.
Not bulling heifers this year so it should be easier next calving.
 

S J H

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Bedfordshire
Horses are a bit different to cows though. Keeping the same cows genetics but a bit smaller size means she can be kept cheaper as she will eat less.
There's probably a reason they want big horses but they are hardly a commercial enterprise are they.

I’m not saying it’s right, just what I was told.

I don’t really go on black and white argument of the smaller they are the less they cost to keep, i‘m not sure it’s always true.
 

coniser

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Yorkshire
I was thinking about buying pure Saler heifers as replacements, was asking breeder about temperament, he said they were a lovely quiet bunch but had to have a radial tb test over summer and they got a bit upset and now can't get near them, so had a re think
I used to have Saler cows found easy calving and mostly quiet. Calves didn't make as much but only calved1 cow in 20 years and that was twins both coming at same time. Only fed silage to cows calved in Feb. Miss the cows give them up as my health was not good and sold some land
 
You are correct in that nutrition has a big part to play, and is mostly within control of the farmer.

However, even if a mob of cows/ewes are fed ad lib feed not all will have birthing difficulty.
That's true but a large number will and that shouldn't be a reason to cull but rather a reason to change management.

It can be easier and quicker to improve performance of a herd/flock by better management as well as culling. Culling isn't cost free for most types of stock.
 

Optimus

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North of Perth
We have just calved 12 out of a group of 20, BBX and Limx heifers at 2yrs old to an Angus bull, all heifers pelvic scored, fed tmr as recommended, look in perfect condition for calving but its been hell.
So far 1 calved unassisted, 2 needed a bit of help, 5 were really hard pull and 4 needed C-Section.
The calves not that big but just have big shoulders which has caused the problems. This is the first time using an AA bull, normally use Lim with few issues.
I'm calving similar heifers to the AA but slightly older at 2 1/2 years.not touched one.cant actually remember last time I had to to be honest.some AA bulls are not as easy calving as you'd expect.
 

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