What do I do with the old girl ?

[Colin]

I've a 15 year old cow who I thought would be in calf, due in April. However, she's with the bull and last week he was all over her for a couple of days so it appears she's not. She'd put weight on over winter, but she's a greedy cow and looks likes she's just packed the pounds on. Is this an age when they do come to the end of the line ?

If so, do abattoir's take cows that old and what would the beef be like ?

Colin

[Saffy]

I would get her PD'd just in case!

This is because I once had a cow that for a couple of years showed bulling every 3 weeks - right until she calved. She had her last calf at 17 years old and he is a stunning bull, just collected for AI. She would I am fairly sure have been able to have more calves but she had and accident and had to be put down due to the pain.

Also my 15 year old cow and 18 year old cow are both back in calf, so I really don't think that it should be an age issue.

Stephanie