It's About Time!

I have been trying for the past couple months to catch my Jersey/Ayrshire heifer in heat with no success.  We tried lutalyse (a chemical that induces a heat cycle - or an abortion in a bred animal) twice but I still couldn't see her cycling.  I had the 3 steers with her at that time but saw nothing to indicate a heat cycle in her attitude or their attitudes towards her.  After giving her a week or two break, we tried using a CIDR in conjuction with lutalyse.  I don't know much about it, but it is intended to help synchronize heat cycles in large herds.  Anyhow, you insert this CIDR into the cow when you give the shot of lutalyse and leave it there for a week.  At time of removal you adminster more lutalyse.  Wednesday night Bessie was finally exhibiting some signs of heat.  I have to say though, if I wasn't watching her like a hawk, I never would have noticed.  My other heifer was rubbing against her and butting her - not usual behavior.  I took her temp and it was about 3 degrees higher than average - like I said I was becoming a little obsessive about this heat cycle thing.  She also reacted positively when I put pressure on her back and stimulated her.  So, this morning we bred her and we will repeat it again tonight just to increase our chances.  I don't know what all this messing around cost me yet, but it is worth it if she ends up bred.  I had her AIed to a jersey bull - Vermeer, so her calf will be like 2/3 jersey and 1/3 Ayrshire.  If the calf is a heifer it is Wyatt's to name and we will keep her.  About 35 days from now I will know if Bessie is with calf or not- stay tuned!!!  I certainly hope her heat cycles are not always this hard to see.  :)