Work Experience: Dairy Farm

The two calves.

I found out that when twins of both sexes are born, the female calf's reproductive organs don't form properly. Therefore farmers don't want twins of both sexes. If the twins are two girls, the reproductive organs form normally in both.

Farmers call the female twin a "Free Martin". I was told that the farmers don't know why this happens and I haven't been able to find any information on this either. If anyone knows why the reproductive organs don't form properly please let me know. 

We were worming and  vaccinating 150 calves for black leg, in the barn, where there was a Free Martin. I was given the opportunity to examine the calf and see for myself the difference between a Free Martin and a properly formed female calf. 

This photo was taken about 10 minutes after the calves were born. 

Work Experience: Dairy Farm

Saturday was a busy and diverse day on the farm. 

We castrated and dehorned around 10 calves, as well as milking. However, the highlight was definitely seeing a calf being born. Instead of writing about the experience I thought I would upload the video that I took.


 https://www.dropbox.com/s/s0rhapk8r38fsg3/2014-03-08%2013.11.38.mov

To watch the whole video you may have to download it. Also up until 1:30 minutes the video is me and my friend talking and trying to find out what we could do to help.