r/Cattle • u/KitchenAggravating87 • 2d ago

Needing Advice

I have a 2 year old heifer that I cannot get to stop nursing. I have tried almost everything I can think of. She was weaned at 6 months, kept with only weanlings for 6 more months. Turned her out with the herd to get bred, she immediately starts nursing any cow that will stand long enough. I put her back in with weanlings for 4 more months, same situation as soon as she’s out with the herd. I put a plastic nose ring in, she just pulls them out. I have a metal one but I have not pierced her nose, yet. Logistically, I cannot keep her with weanlings her whole life, so I have to do something. Anyone have any other tips or tricks?

I have been debating on putting her in a pen system with one or two of the herd matriarchs, who will not take her BS. Thinking maybe if she gets a good hard correction from one of them, she would learn but I am open to other ideas.

**Yes, I know she needs to go to the sale barn. I am desperately trying to keep her genetics in my herd. She is the only heifer her dam ever had, taking her to the sale barn would completely end that bloodline. At this point, that is not an option. If she would have been from any other genetics, she would have been gone a year ago!

9 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

8

u/chips15 2d ago

Good maternal genetics are problem-free mamas that raise a calf every year and don't cause you extra work and grief. There are bad apples in every family tree, just bite the bullet and get rid of her. Sometimes a pedigree or EPD is only as good as the paper it's printed on.

2

u/love2kik 2d ago

Nail On The Head!

1

u/Far_Anything_7458 1d ago

I'm a dairy goats farmer but any doe with bad behavior gets sold from my farm. A lot of times these behaviors are passed on.

5

u/WrongdoerHot3842 2d ago

Multiple large breed dog shock collars. You’re going to have to dedicate some time to training her though.

6

u/Imfarmer 2d ago

She's a pain in the ass. Why would you want to keep those genetics?

4

u/Drtikol42 2d ago

Piece of rubber conveyor belt bolted to a nylon or leather halter. Use flat/ lentil shaped heads, epoxy them over so they are smooth, wrap metal buckles and potentially even the nylon with duct tape. Take of weekly and check for skin damage as they sometimes grind skin if dusty weather switches with rain.

Works 100% of time because it is physically impossible to reach the teat. Make it wider then you think is needed to account for head tilting.

Obviously she has to have access to higher grass and deep enough water through.

7

u/DefiantBlackberry775 2d ago

There are a number of options for nose clamps you can use. Put one of those on her and her mother won't be so willing to let her nurse!

1

u/Unlucky_Dress_9748 1d ago

If you can get the metal one 110% better

0

u/StrawberryOk8459 2d ago

Absolutely nose clamp works. Had the situation once and it did the job.

4

u/OldHand52 2d ago

Auction time

4

u/L0102 2d ago

I’ve heard cross-sucking can be a genetic trait. Keeping her in the herd might perpetuate this behavior in future generations.

3

u/Embarrassed_Box_8303 2d ago

If shes still sucking at 2 years, she wont quit. If you're that determined to keep her around only keep her with cows you know will beat the crud out of her for trying.

2

u/mydogisalab 2d ago

In the past we've taken a halter, ran 1" long screws up through the nose band, & put the halter on the trying to nurse calf. Momma cows won't let her nurse. After getting ignored & kicked a few times, they learn.

2

u/GreasyMcFarmer 2d ago

There’s an easy, sure-fire method called Freezer Camp.

2

u/zhiv99 2d ago

You don’t want to pass on those genetics no matter how good you think they are. We had a cow whose calves were always robbing off other cows. Shipped any calves she had and eventually shipped her too. You will have a better herd if don’t tolerate this stuff.