Flush and Donor Questions

[Warrior10]

I have a few questions dealing with flushing and donor cows.

1) What is the time frame after calving that a cow can be flushed?
2) Do any of you leave donors open and flush them multiple times a year, then shoot for a natural calf lets say every other year? How does it work for you? Pros vs Cons you've noticed?

Thanks

 

[Gargan]

I've always heard you can flush as early as 60-75 days post calving as long as you do not allow the cow to back up any, condition wise, and as long as they have had a natural cycle before hand. Some donors get flushed multiple times over a course of a year. Seems like the trending pattern is if your donor calves at march 1 , flush her a few times over the next 6-8 months ( excluding the really hot months) and breed back the next DEC for a fall calf or just leave her open for next spring in case you want to flush again . Everyone has different theories and protocols. This is just my experiences.

 

[Warrior10]

I've always heard you can flush as early as 60-75 days post calving as long as you do not allow the cow to back up any, condition wise, and as long as they have had a natural cycle before hand. Some donors get flushed multiple times over a course of a year. Seems like the trending pattern is if your donor calves at march 1 , flush her a few times over the next 6-8 months ( excluding the really hot months) and breed back the next DEC for a fall calf or just leave her open for next spring in case you want to flush again . Everyone has different theories and protocols. This is just my experiences.

Thanks for the reply. What if 60-75 days goes Mid May-Early June, is that too hot (Located in Nebraska)? Also lets say you flush a once in May, once between Sept-Nov, and were looking to flush once more in spring of 2015 before natural breeding without her getting to far behind in calving, how many days after flushing can you breed AI?

 

[obie105]

We have always flushed one natural cycle after calving which is usually 60 days or so. We let them cycle then set up for the next one. You can leave open to flush again or breed after. We have done both. After flushing tho they need to have a cycle before breeding to clean out their system. We have always seemed to avoid the heat so I'm not sure how that effects it. I would talk to who ever is going to be doing your work and talk with them.

 

[frostback]

We go off the second natural heat after calving. After that you can flush one about every 60 days. You can AI or try breeding her the first heat after flushing. No matter how many times you flush. The temperature  may or may not affect flushing. There are so many factors that can go wrong that you really never can pinpoint actually what went right or wrong in a flush. Some will work and some will not. I do believe that high temperature will harm a flush more then cold. Although we do AI into June so sometimes time constraints make us try it.

 

[Warrior10]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.