Sexed semen was used on each of them, so we are anticipating three new heifers! In case you don't know, you can buy sexed semen, which allows you to get a female offspring. Sexed semen is only used on virgin heifers. It is advertised as ninety-some-odd percent reliable, but we've never heard of it not producing a female...yet. Hope we never do. Baby bulls get sent to the sale, or you put them on a nurse cow and fatten them up and make a good profit on them in a few months at the sale.
In case you didn't already know, you ONLY WANT to get female dairy offspring. Female offspring are called "heifers". When a heifer gets old enough and becomes pregnant and has a calf, she starts to give milk, and this makes her a "cow". Dairy = milk. Males are called "bulls". Bulls DON'T give milk. So just like a human father does not give milk for the baby, and the human mother DOES provide milk to nurse the baby, it's the same way for cattle. (Thanks to the BARNYARD movie and tv show series, people are confused. They show OTIS -who is a dude and has a man's voice- with an udder! )
One brand new essay heifer was born the night before last. It was two weeks early and a total surprise to its owner! The new calf's name is Jellybean. She's a real cutie! I'm sad that her current owner has to donate her back to the essay program, but at least she will be able to see her at every show!
One down, two to go!
I've been trying to think of people that would be good candidates for the essay contest. I'm trying to find students that are responsible, that can keep their grades up, and don't mind working hard. I'm telling them to pick up an entry form and try to win one of those new heifers! We need good workers on our dairy show team.
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