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Frost Bitten Udders

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
I couldn't help but notice what appears to be extremely frost bitten teats that TB Hereford posted in the photo gallery. Would frost bite be a huge problem in fall calving herds during extreme cold? What could you do about it if it was an issue?
 

milkmaid

Well-known member
Here's the post TB_Herefords made that involves the pics:
http://cattletoday.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=53277

Based on my dairy cattle experience... I'd say as long as those fall calving cows will calve around Aug-Oct or so before it get really cold, and they have a windbreak and/or something dry to lay on, they'll be fine. If you're calving heifers in Nov/Dec with -20'F temps and they have no shelter or bedding it may not work out so well.
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Thanks for posting the link MM... I fall calve an was wondering about the chance of this. I have not seen any such discoloration, so a relief,

PPRM
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
Srtucturally correct udders don't freeze or sunburn-if a cow with a good tight well attached udder freeezes a tit it's usually because the rest of her froze too. We never had any trouble with that sort of thing when we winter calved then switched to fall calving. Another thing that ticks me off is the phrase 'My cows milk too heavy to calve on grass' No sunshine you have a bunch of piss poor udders is all.
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Northern Rancher said:
Srtucturally correct udders don't freeze or sunburn-if a cow with a good tight well attached udder freeezes a tit it's usually because the rest of her froze too. We never had any trouble with that sort of thing when we winter calved then switched to fall calving. Another thing that ticks me off is the phrase 'My cows milk too heavy to calve on grass' No sunshine you have a bunch of p*** poor udders is all.

LOL, it is amazing how big the calves are from my cows with "Small Udders"... Judge the cow by the calf,

PPRM
 

WyomingRancher

Well-known member
The explanation from the other cattle forum, she doesn't have a calf on her, but is due in January:

Well they have really good wind breaks in the coralls. They've been in the coralls for about two three weeks now. I havn't put any down any straw because this is the first time I've has issues with this. But of course a little straw never hurt and in this situation might have prevented. Tough lesson learned. Will have to see how she bags up. She is due around the end of January. She has a small tight bag when she is full; but longer teats. One way to cull for smaller teats.
 

Doug Thorson

Well-known member
Back when we January calved we had a few of those on bad winters. We run them out along the creek until one calved and then would bring them in so we could check them better. Some of them would let their calf suck even though you could tell it hurt. Some took a little bag balm and hobbles, but after the calf sucked them out good once they were no trouble.
 

jkvikefan

Well-known member
If she is due in Jan , I believe that they are going to have mastitis issues
with her.If she had 4-5 months to heal up, i think she would be OK. I have seen a lot of frozen teats on dairy cows over the years and they take some time to heal. Looks to me like this cow is going to lose the ends of her teats, which means when she lets her milk down you better have a bucket under her .
 

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