Can a cow be bulling whilst in calf?

[Greyfriars Dexters]

I have a 4 year old cow who was served at the end of August 2011 (bull running with her from 23/8 to 19/11). She has had 2 calves to date. In December 2011 my two oldest steers (approx 20 months) showed a lot of interest in her and were trying to mount her. 3 weeks later the same thing happened. As far as I could tell I could see no evidence of any bulling string from her and it is hard to say whether her vulva was different to usual, as I have not studied this area! I have two other cows, which were served at the same time, but the steers did not seem interested in them - one, however, was bellowing a lot. I do have a six month heifer calf (and 2 young bull calves) with the group and someone suggested that maybe the heifer calf was cycling … but could not see evidence of this and the steers were not at all interested in her. I have heard that cows can have difficulty to conceive or hold a pregnancy if they are on land short in trace elements – mine have access to a mineral bucket in the field so do not believe that this could be the case. I have also heard that cows can appear to be bulling even though in calf. I am really hoping that she is in calf, but will have to wait until June to see! If no calf appears she will have missed a year - I have heard that it is difficult to get them in calf if they have missed a year – is this correct? Has anyone else had any similar experiences or can offer advice? Many thanks

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Cows can show signs of season even when in calf, but it is relatively unusual - maybe you can get her checked by your vet or if scanners operate in your area an approved ultrasound scanner could tell you if she is in calf or not. I assume from what you say that access to a bull is not on, AI would be a possiblilty but straws take time to move about the country, and of course if you serve her now it will upset your expected calving pattern. Cows who are empty for a year can be more difficult to get in calf, and also have more problems calving when they eventually do, but this is mostly due to being over fat after a long holiday - so don't be too fearful if you want to let her have a whole year off try to watch her weight carefully.

Duncan

[marcus]

I used to have a longhorn cow who bulled strongly when in calf. and she would stand to any cow, but the bull never showed any interest in her.