Good morning everyone,
Well, I hope you all had a much better week than I did!
I woke on Thursday to find my special bull (and special friend) Mt Vernon dead in the paddock. He was not even three years old. Its hard to know why he died, but we suspect bloat. Mt Vernon was genetically as good as they get, but his docility factor was something else. Anyone could walk up to him and give his head a scratch. He really was very special!
I confess to shedding tears quite a few times (including whilst writing this blog). I guess the saying “only the good die young” is true and it is certainly the case with Mt Vernon. The amount of grief is always matched by the huge amount of love, and the love will always make it worth it. Rest is peace, my very special buddy – I will love you forever!!
On the farm
Our breeding season started yesterday, and Mt Vernon was going to cover most of our herd. So apart from the tragedy of loosing him, it has really put our breeding season under pressure. We do have two young bulls (11 months and 13 months). I would not trust the fertility of the youngest one, and the older one should be OK – but a young bull can’t cover many girls.
With the above in mind, we have let only three young heifers run with these bulls, and we will try to AI all the other older girls. Those who don’t hold their AI pregnancy will then run with these young bulls. The issue with AI is that it is hard to ensure we have picked up all girls who have cycled (and it’s another 21 days before they recycle again). We have put “scratchies” on their tail (which change colour when they have been mounted). We did pick one up yesterday, and she was AIed. Lets hope all the others are as easy, and they hold the pregnancy.
Some ET work – IVF or Moet
With the above breeding issues, we might also try to do some embryo transfer work. Whilst it is expensive, if we collected from a couple of donor cows together, quite a few girls could be pregnant early. It does take a bit or work, but the result could be great! I’m currently unsure if we will have enough donor girls ready at once. A bit of planning is required.
Spring always brings weeds
Along with the rush of grass, there is always a rush of paddock weeds. We don’t mind weeds that the cows eat, but there is one weed which has become quite invasive. I’m not sure of the name – I have to get better at AI to find out. Over the next week I will spot spray these awful plants. I wont be able to cover the entire farm. But if I can do one side of the farm done this year, I will be able to complete the other side next year.
It might be easier to spray the entire farm but (in my opinion) too many other good plants die. I am happy to be a bit slower.
Spotlight on
This week, as a special tribute to our buddy, Mt Vernon, there is no other spotlight. We definitely believe he has to be this weeks spotlight. Mt Vernon – you are an amazing champ!!
That’s all for this sad week. We will make sure there is better news to share next week!
Have a great week!
Colin and Keryn