So, you’ve decided to expand your furry family with a couple of hooved companions? Whinny the clinic mouse here, ready to spill the hay on the ins and outs of acquiring, raising, and taking care of your very own pet cows. Take it from a very experienced clinic mouse: cows are no walk in the pasture. They demand attention, love, and a keen understanding of their unique needs. They are very large, potentially dangerous animals and should generally only be owned by humans with livestock experience. If you fit that bill, read on as we dig into the details and navigate the moos and groans of cow parenting!

Choosing Your Bovine Bestie

Before you dive headfirst into the world of cattle companionship, let’s discuss the fascinating array of cattle breeds. Whether it’s the docile Holstein or the hardy Angus, each breed comes with its own set of characteristics and challenges, and picking the right one can make all the difference in your pet-owning experience. Consider your available space, climate, and your own preferences when picking the perfect cow. Oh, and don’t forget about zoning regulations – your neighbors might not appreciate a surprise cow invasion.

1. Holstein: The Gentle Giant

Known for their distinctive black-and-white markings, Holsteins are the heavyweights of the dairy world. Renowned for their docile nature, they’re excellent choices for experienced cattle families seeking a cuddly and milk-rich companion. However, keep in mind that they are very large and will require a lot of space.

2. Angus: The Hardy Homesteader

If you’re looking for a sturdy and low-maintenance option, Angus cattle might fit the bill. With their black coats and robust build, these cattle thrive in various climates. Some members of this breed can be very calm and friendly, but personalities can vary!

3. Hereford: The Friendly Grazer

Recognizable by their red and white coloration, Herefords boast a friendly disposition. They are known for their adaptability and are well-suited for those new to bovine parenthood if acquired as calves. Watch out in sunny areas though, these white-faced cattle are prone to UV exposure related diseases like squamous cell carcinoma.

4. Belted Galloway: The Stylish Sidekick

Sporting a distinctive white belt around their midsection, Belted Galloways are not only stylish but also hardy. Their thick, shaggy coat serves as natural insulation, making them well-suited for colder climates. These charismatic cows can add a touch of flair to your northern homestead.

5. Brahman: The Southern Charmer

Uniquely designed to live comfortably in the South, these massive humped cattle are a striking addition to any pasture. Take care though, they must be handled and trained from a very young age with extreme diligence as they are the most stubborn breed around. They are also incredibly large and can be dangerous even without meaning to.

Once you’ve got your heart set on a specific breed, it’s time to find a reputable breeder. A healthy start is crucial, so make sure your chosen cow comes from a clean and well-maintained environment. Insist on proper documentation of vaccinations and health checks – you wouldn’t want any unwanted surprises.

Whinny’s Wisdom: Cattle breeders do not bring their best, or even second-best, animals to auctions.

Buyer Beware

As you embark on your journey to welcome bovine buddies into your life, it’s crucial to exercise caution in the cattle marketplace. Miniature cattle, while adorable, can harbor potential genetic issues that may not be immediately apparent and cause life-long expensive medical concerns. When purchasing, steer clear of auctions or tractor and supply stores, as the best animals from reputable breeders are rarely found there. Animals in such venues often carry undisclosed health issues, leading to unexpected challenges down the pasture road. Additionally, buyers interested in long hair cattle, like the Scottish Highland breeds, should consider the impact of hot climates on these cold-adapted creatures. The lush coats that make them iconic pose difficulties in warmer weather, leading to deadly heat stress. To ensure a healthy and happy bovine addition to your family, prioritize acquiring animals from trusted breeders with a track record of responsible breeding practices.

A Few Other Considerations

Castration

While bulls may conjure images of strength and power, they aren’t exactly the ideal candidates for a cozy petting session. Bulls can and do become aggressive and challenging to handle as they mature. To avoid unnecessary headaches, consider castrating bulls at a young age or only purchasing already castrated male calves. This not only makes them more docile but also eliminates the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

Dehorning: A Safety Measure Worth Taking

Cattle with horns may look majestic, but those pointed accessories pose risks, both to the animal itself and its human companions. To prevent injuries and ensure a safer environment, only purchase dehorned or polled (born without horns) calves. If you acquire a calf young enough you can have your veterinarian dehorn after purchase, but be warned, after about 8 weeks of age they can no longer be dehorned in a routine way and must instead have an invasive surgery. Did you see an older baby bull-calf with horns on Facebook Marketplace? Just say no unless you have an extra $1,000 laying around to address the things that weren’t done by the seller.

Raising Happy Cattle

Now that your new companions have hoofed their way into your life, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of husbandry. All cattle thrive on routine, so establish a consistent feeding and turnout schedule. Provide ample space for your animals to graze and roam. A happy cow is a healthy cow, after all. Pet cows generally do well on pasture most of the year with added hay in winter months. ‘Pasture’ means way more than just your backyard! In Florida, stocking densities vary from 2-25 acres required PER COW depending on what type and quality of grass your property has. All cattle must have access to free choice minerals to help make up for what pasture lacks. Milking cows or growing calves will often need grain supplementation, but beware over-feeding!

Ensure they have access to clean water and shelter, protecting them from extreme weather conditions. Invest in quality bedding for shelters or stalls to prevent hoof issues and keep your cow’s living space clean. Regularly inspect their environment for potential hazards and fix any fences or gates that may pose a danger. Remember, a safe and secure environment is the foundation of a healthy, happy herd. And yes, a good scratch behind the ears never hurt anyone – cows appreciate a little affection too.

The Veterinarian: Your Cow’s Best Friend

Now, let’s talk veterinary care – the unsung hero of bovine well-being. Regular check-ups with a qualified veterinarian are non-negotiable. Vaccinations, deworming, and hoof care should be part of the routine – a proactive approach keeps those moo-tastrophes at bay.

Don’t be shy about consulting your vet for advice on nutrition and preventive measures. A customized health plan ensures your cows are tip-top, whether they’re giving you gallons of milk or just adorable moments to cherish. It will always be cost-saving to involve your veterinarian upfront, rather than calling them for a weekend emergency. And if you want to keep those veterinarians you have a great relationship with coming back to your farm, be sure they have an easy time working with your cattle. This most often means providing facilities for handling. Whether it’s a small catch pen with panels, a milking stanchion or head catch, or a full hydraulic chute, there needs to be a safe area to effectively contain and control your 800+ lb animals so your veterinarian doesn’t get hurt while tending to their needs.

Common Health Issues

Despite your and your veterinarians best efforts, pet cattle can still face health challenges. Be vigilant for signs of common issues like mastitis, respiratory infections, or lameness. Early detection and prompt veterinary intervention can make all the difference.

Keep an eye on your cow’s body condition – obesity and undernourishment are both troublesome. If your cow starts acting a bit off, don’t play the guessing game; consult your vet promptly. Remember, a proactive approach to health issues ensures your cows live long and moo-tiful lives.

Remember, a good relationship with your vet, a solid husbandry routine, and a watchful eye for preventive care are your best allies. So, gear up, future cow enthusiasts, and embark on this udderly fantastic adventure! Your cows will thank you with hearty moos and a lifetime of companionship. Happy herding!

Until next week,

~Whinny

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Hey everybody, Whinny here with some cow and goat (or ruminant, as my docs call them) stats for you: Did you know that Florida is the ninth largest cattle producing state of the country? It’s true! We’re also the ninth largest in meat goat production. The cattle raised here are primarily raised in small operations, with almost 80% having less than 49 head (that’s how we describe cow numbers).

Breeding

Let me start off by saying one thing very clearly: if you own cattle or any other large species you absolutely must have facilities for working with them. Go ahead and check out my previous blog on livestock housing facilities for more details. But today we’re going to talk about making more cows–or other ruminants like sheep and goats.

Anytime you’re planning on breeding an animal you should think about WHY. Yes, baby animals are super cute, but there are already a ton of them out there! This consideration is even more important in pet animals like dogs, cats, and horses, but the reasoning applies to food producing animals such as cattle and small ruminants as well. We’re going to talk a bit about breeding and producing cattle in Florida. A lot of this will apply whether you’re breeding in order to make or sell beef products, or if you’re just making more pets.

A veterinarian’s role in quality food production is maintaining animal health and well-being, supporting producers in managing the health and productivity of their animals, and monitoring the safety and wholesomeness of animals entering the food chain. What does that mean?

Whinny Wisdom: All herds should have a veterinarian involved in their care and maintenance who can help set protocols. Paying for a veterinarian at the start will actually save you money in the end.

Now, the details. Florida is a bit different than other areas of the country because we don’t have much, if any, of that very cold white stuff that comes from the sky. For that reason, calves are normally hitting the ground between January and March. A cow’s gestation is about 9 months, so the breeding season should be between April and May. Calves are weaned at between 7-9 months of age, so these hardworking mama cows are getting pregnant while they are still producing milk most of the time–stay tuned for another blog on nutrition because it’s really important!

These time tables are assuming you are trying to have calves born in a select window of time so they can be reared together and sold together, which is often best for their health and your pocketbook. When you have a specific breeding season planned, the next step is figuring out how you’re going to get those cows bred! Options include natural service by a bull–which can be purchased or rented–or artificial insemination of some sort.

A bull will often have the highest conception rates, but they certainly come with some risks–and you’d better make sure you have good fencing and facilities! Some health considerations for the bull include their body condition score (it can often drop a full point over the course of a breeding season), mineral consumption, and transmissible venereal disease risk. It’s often recommended to purchase a bull that has had a breeding soundness exam performed which also tests for some of the venereal diseases.

Bulls can occasionally harm the cows they are meant to breed, and can get injured themselves. If you purchase a bull to keep over multiple years, it is important that he not breed any of his daughters, and you must know that his fertility may decline over time. There are some people who choose to keep a bull out with the herd at all times and not have a defined breeding season. This is an option, however that also means you must be prepared for newborn calves every day of the year! As we’ll discuss, newborn calves are not always easy.

The females are generally the most important part of the equation (aren’t we always?). A female bovine that has not had her first calf yet is known as a heifer, and she becomes a cow as soon as she gives birth. If natural service mating is being used, the bull will be able to detect when cows are in heat. If artificial methods are being used, the best approach will be using injectable medications to bring her into heat when the doctor wants her to be, so that they can breed her at the best time. Cows will be much less likely to come into heat if they are still lactating, but it is possible.

Prior dystocia (difficult birth), retained placenta, or uterine infection of any sort are likely to delay her ability to get pregnant. The female’s nutritional state is probably the biggest factor for achieving pregnancy. If you’re not sure how to check her body condition score, you should definitely schedule a Herd Evaluation with one of our veterinarians so they can teach you all about that!

Once breeding has happened in one way or another (there’s some birds, there’s some bees, you know the drill), cows should be checked for pregnancy by a veterinarian. When to schedule that will vary by the specific herd conditions, but will always require handling facilities such as a chute or at least a head catch. Those with confirmed pregnancies should be monitored closely for the next 9 months. There are tons of risks to the fetus and dam: Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Listeria, Neospora, estrogenic plants, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus are just a few. She may also have a spontaneous abortion or one caused by stress or an incorrect medication.

Calf Care

Now for the fun and Cow–ute part: babies! A newborn calf is on average 60-75 lbs. Cows most often have singleton calves but occasionally will have twins. Dystocia, or difficult birth, is always a risk and often needs veterinary intervention. One of the best things you can do is ensure the bull isn’t too large and has a good “calving ease score,” meaning he produces smaller, easier to birth calves.

There are five essential aspects of newborn calf care: Colostrum, Cleanliness, Comfort, Calories, and Consistency.

• Colostrum is the mom’s first milk, and needs to be in the calf by 2 hours after birth ideally. As soon as the calf consumes anything, its gut will begin closing, so it’s vital the first thing it consumes is colostrum.
• Cleanliness: Cows should give birth in a clean, dry, comfortable place – that can be a field, barn or stall.
• Calories: If the calf is nursing from a good mama, she should take care of calories, but we must monitor calves for growth and supplement if they’re not getting enough. Some choose to offer a creep feed from the first few days of age.
• Consistency has to do with food, location, and environment. Calves get easily stressed, and when they are stressed they get sick. If you have kept a tight breeding season, you should have a tight calving season, so there shouldn’t be too many age groups together. If the calving season will not be so streamlined, it’s a good idea to separate out cows about to calve into a clean pasture away from the other adults and older calves.

We didn’t even tackle the nitty gritty of vaccination, deworming, and other health protocols, but these are vitally important if you intend to breed cows! They are also unique to each herd though, so be sure to have a great relationship with your local cow vet so they can help out! Now to go enjoy my favorite cow breeding byproduct–cheese!

Until next week,
~Whinny

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