Well, we’ve bred Bonnie for the third time.

I hadn’t ordered any new semen from Norway, so had to go with what my AI guy had in the tank, which was all Holstein or Angus. I went with O-Bee Manfred Justice, one of the storied bulls of the Holstein breed.

I think I have put my finger on why she hasn’t caught yet - Bonnie is a bit on the thin side - as a grass-based dairyman, I have to watch for her “milking off her back” (also called “will to milk) - when Cows produce large amounts of milk despite not getting a lot of grain - they actually draw down their body fat. I’m going to supplement her with some corn until she gets condition back.

If she doesn’t catch this time I’ll spend the next couple of months fattening her back up and then breed for a February calf.