To breed a cow without the actual bull you need frozen semen. Well of course you do!!
This gadget. The semen is in a small straw that fits into the end of this, once it gets through the cervix the semen is gently released into the uterus.
And to get that far you will need one of these. A sleeve that goes right up to your shoulder.
Then a good whiff of this before you start because this is a smelly business especially if you have a gassy cow.
Many people learn the procedure of Artificial Insemination but I am lucky to have the Lady Vet who is kind enough to come out and do the breeding once a year. So, Daisy has been bred, and we now have to wait 30 days to see if it took. I really, really hope so, I told her to go into the next room and lie down with her legs in the air. She huffed.
But Queenie. Our sweet little Queenie was not having any of it. Her cervix would not relax at all. So we will try again in 21 days. You really do not want the details. No-one wants to hear a cow talk about her insides. She was in heat though, which means she is fertile so there is no reason why it will not work next time. Fingers crossed. The Lady Vet said this has only ever happened to her once before in her career. That she could not breed a cow.
But Queenie says she thinks Grue Grit is a pompous ass anyway.
That’s ok. We can try again. I need Daisy to calve in early spring but Queenie can be a little later, I don’t have to milk HER through the winter if the dates get too late!
The Lady Vet has given the OK for Daisy to go down to once a day milking tomorrow and then a week after that we will dry her up. Because of her history of mastitis we will dry the udder using injections into the udder. They go up through the teat and this is one procedure Delicate Daisy does not even flinch for. Which is lucky as I am right underneath her when I do it. So I am fairly confident. If we dry her up well there is every chance that when she freshens again with a new calf, her udder will reset itself and be back to normal. And I will know so much more next time. Things will run more smoothly I am sure.
Good morning.
We have the promise of sun today. The birds are loud outside so I think they know it too. Maybe today I can get into the bee hives. Also the floor men are coming this morning, they will put the floor down in the Coupe and it will be done by Wednesday. Then it will really start to look like a Tiny House.
Have a lovely day.
your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
52 responses to “What you need to breed a cow without a bull”
Gah! that injection into the teat made me flinch. Now, mine are hiding.
big laughter!!
Thank you celi – I learn something every day – not sure how practical this information will be to me, but at least it keeps the old brains cells jumping !!! Hope all the girls are thriving on all this attention, even though it doesn’t sound very amorous….
I loved seeing the flower after your comments about “wind”. Also loved the picture of Queenie – I told her to behave herself. We have to sell our bull, Curly, next week as we have had him over 3 years. He has been so good, every cow has calved each year – cute little white calves – Charolais. Calm breed, calf well and the colour blends in well with goldens 🙂 Its all about aesthetics for me you see. The chookies are Isa Browns too!! Colour co-ordination with the budgies is too hard unfortunately. Joy
so why are you selling curly. (in breeding?). can I have him…too far . sadly
Exactly – his first girls are now approaching breeding age . I wish we had someone close who wanted a proven gentle bull without him going to the sales, so I would know he was happy. We expect all the girls to calve around September again and after 3 consecutive years they can have a rest and enjoy life in the paddock. Joy
OK: so we should all now get a pass at ‘Cow Breeding 101’!! Quite a learning experience: thank God most of us pounding the computer keys have probably been fortunate to get the candles and music and a lovely glass or three of vino followed by a pleasureable . . . . to get into a pregnant stae 🙂 ! Don’t blame Queenie at all: she still looks cross!! Where’s the romance?
Oh my…semen inventory record…
I know there’s a certain 90 year-old who’s going to be fascinated by this post the next time she opens her email inbox. I know I am. I hope you Daisy cooperates and you can dry her up. I certainly hope that you’ve better luck with Queenie next time. Are you sure that the fragrance from that one peony will be enough? How about some Fabreeze? 🙂
Have a great night, Celi!
I bet Queenie is looking forward to attempt #2… not. Fingers crossed for Daisy 🙂
I like reading and learning about lives so different from mine. Thanks for sharing.
Best post title that has ever turned up in my google reader.
I’m glad I’m just making meringues:)
Good morning C! I hope that it works for Daisy and Queenie…maybe next time the vet should buy her a drink first, I’m sure that will do the trick 😉
Eeeks! I clutched my chest and gasped at the thought of injections straight into the udder!
Hi Celi………
Fingers and legs crossed here for Queenie!