2020
This year we weighed our autumn born calves twice, on 14th October and again on the 23rd December. The calves were weaned on 26th November. it is important to emphasize that twins and singles have been run together all the time. 2020 has been a very good pasture year, winter was not too wet and spring has been fantastic.
There are several points of interest shown in the following tables
Table 1: October Weights (Kg)
| Single | Twin | Ratio twin vs single | |
| Female | 271.5 | 235.8 | 87% |
| Male | 284 | 263.4 | 92% |
Table 2: December Weights (Kg)
| Single | Twin | Ratio twin vs single | |
| Female | 330.3 | 295.3 | 89% |
| Male | 358.9 | 358.1 | 100% |
Table 3 Weight gain per day, October to December
| Single | Twin | Ratio twin vs single | |
| Female | 0.83 | 0.85 | 102% |
| Male | 1.07 | 1.28 | 120% |
Table 4; Hip Height December (cms)
| Single | Twin | Ratio twin vs single | |
| Female | 120.2 | 118.5 | 98% |
| Male | 124.8 | 123.8 | 99% |
Body Condition Score December (1 -9 scale, 5-6 about optimum)
| Single | Twin | Ratio twin vs single | |
| Female | 5.7 | 5.6 | 98% |
| Male | 5.6 | 5.3 | 95% |
These results show very little penalty from being born a twin in weight or size by 10 months of age and in fact there is evidence of some compensatory growth in the twins. For this year, a cow with twins has produced 190% of the calf weight of a cow with a single.
In the past we have reported compensatory growth in twin born calves post weaning. Also, we reported that twin born heifers got on calf just as well as singles when mated at 15 months of age. In spite of the widespread industry belief that twins don’t grow as well as single this is not true!
2020 calving and mating
In 2020, 30% of our cows have successfully weaned twin calves and are looking very well. Back in October, at about 7 months of age, twin born calves each weighed 250 Kg, while the singles weighed 278Kg. this means that a cow rearing twins this year will have produced 180% of the weaning weight of a cow with a single. At pregnancy examination in August, 63% of the herd were carrying twins. Both these results reflect a very good season.
2020 Weaner sales for Admetus Composite Twinners
Our steer calves were sold in the Independent agents Hereford and Euro weaner sale on 8/1/2020 at Hamilton. Calving started March 7th. The calves were yard weaned on 25/11. They gained 31 Kg in 52 days = 0.6 kg/d on drying pastures since weighing.
Our herd did it very tough in winter and the calves were not as well grown as I had hoped for.
Results for the Steers (6 males retained as possible bulls all others included). The calves were weighed while still on the mother on 17/11. Singles (n=12) were 275Kg, twins (n=15) were 233Kg, Average = 252 Kg. On an individual calf basis, Twins = 233/275 = 85% of a single. Or on a per cow basis Twins 466/275 = 169% of a single bearer The calves were sold on 8/1. The agents drafted them into 2 lines. The top line consisted of mainly singles , but did include 2 twins, while the second line did include 2 singles, thus for most practical purposes we could say the top line was singles and the second line was twins. The top line (n=13) weighed 322Kg @ 270 C =$869.4. The second line (n= 14) weighed 247Kg @ 234C = $578. Average weight = 283Kg and average price = $718.3 (total = $19,393.9)
I thought the price for both lines was a little disappointing, but especially for the second line, however these seconds were among the lighter weights of the calves offered and we also probably suffered a discount for the variation in coat colour etc (they were not recognised as an even line of one of the recognised breeds). There might be a case for selling in a different way (retained ownership till slaughter?) Even so in dollar terms a cow with twins produced $ 1156/869.4 = 133% of a cow with a single.
The calves were 45 Kg lighter than last year’s calves on sale day. The prices in cents/kg was only slightly less than we received last year.
Hamilton weaner sales January 2019
The steers were drafted by the agents into two groups, basically on size.
The top pen contained 26 head @358Kg and made 274c = $981
The second pen contained 14 head @ 273Kg and made 243c= $663
Given the range in dam age and date of calving, the top pen contained mostly singes but a few twins and the second pen the reverse, thus the ratio of 2 seconds to 1 top was 135% and is probably an underestimate of the dollar value of twins. The agents also noted that the seasonal conditions probably reduced the value of a seconds calf more than normal.
Results from 2018 drop calves
Weaning December 2018
| Sex | Birth type | Wt (Kg) | number |
| Steers | singles | 369 | 21 |
| twins | 293 | 19 | |
| Heifers | singles | 327 | 20 |
| twins | 293 | 22 |
Overall this year, a cow weaning twins produced 168% of the weaning weight compared with a cow with a single calf.
2017 Sales results
Steer weaners born in March and April 2016 were sold on Tuesday 17th January in Hamilton saleyards.
Half the drop averaged 376kg and made $1293 each. These were mainly (but not exclusively) single born steers.
Half the drop averaged 316kg and made $1030 each. They were mainly twin born steers.
So overall they averaged $1161 each. This compared favourably with the rest of the steers sold by the agent.
2015 Mating
Mating was from June 5th till August 9. The season has been pretty poor and cow body condition in many cases was probably less than optimal. We had 60 mixed age adults, 17 x 2013 drop (second mating) and 21 x 2014 drop (heifers), making a total of 98 potential pregnancies.
Results:
- 33 single pregnancies = 34%
- 45 twin pregnancies = 46%
- 1 triplet pregnancy = 1%
- 9 not detectably pregnant = 9%
- 4 pregnant but number uncertain = 4%
- 5 pregnant multiples, but foetuses possibly dying = 5%
- 1 metritis = 1%
2014 mating
Following mating starting in June, ultrasound pregnancy scanning was carried out in August. Of 88 adult cows and 24 heifers with at least some twinning genes, 52% of the cows and 21% of the heifers were carrying twin foetuses.
2014 weaning
The calves were weighed in October at approximately 7 months of age. The single born steers weighed 298kg and the twins 237kg (80%).The single born heifers weighed 277kg and the twins 233kg (84%). A few mainly twin born males were
retained as bulls and the rest went into the regional weaner sales in January 2015. This sale group was approximately 1/3 twins and 2/3 singles and weighed 310kg and made $2.18/kg. The prices and weights were very competitive with the other local lines of cattle offered in these sales.
2013 Mating
This was a very tough time feedwise. The heifers and young cows had at least 50% twinner blood. The 15 month old heifers were the only group receiving high levels of supplementary feed and were in quite reasonable condition.
- Of the 30 heifers mated, 27 were pregnant = 90%.
- Of the pregnant heifers, 7 were pregnant with multiples = 26%.
The 2.5 year old heifers were in poor condition, some lactating and some not.
Of these, 23 mated, resulting with only 8 pregnant = 35%. Of the pregnant animals, 5 were pregnant wit multiples = 63%
The older cows included some with no twinner blood.
58 mated, 41 pregnant = 71%. of the pregnant ones 9 multiples = 22%
The pregnancy rates in the 2.5 year old and older cows were disappointing, but quite expected in view of the condition of the cows at mating time. Although based on very low numbers the 2.5 year old group results allow speculation to suggest that in these twinner cattle, once body condition is good enough to allow ovulation, then ovulation rate itself might not be strongly dependent on nutrition.
Weaning 2013
The first calf was born on 11/3/13 with calving over 9 weeks. The calves were weaned and weighed on 30/11/13.
- Single born females weighed 294 kg. Twin born females weighed 234 kg
- Single born steers weighed 300kg. Twin born steers weighed 254kg.
Thus an average cow with a single calf produced 297Kg of weaning weight, while a cow with twins produced 488 Kg ( = 164%).
The steers all went into the Hamilton weaner sales (euro section) in January 2014. At that time they averaged 298 Kg and had gained 25 kg since weaning. They made a quite competitive price of 168C.
2012 Scanning results
The cow herd was scanned in September 2012. Of the pregnancies detected:
- Full twinners 11/15 were pregnant with twins
- Half Twinners 15/27 were pregnant with twins
- Normal Herd 1/19 was pregnant with twins
2011 Weaning Weights
On average at weaning (approximately eight months) the 2011 the twinner herd produced 498kg weaning weight calves per cow. In the single herd this was 282kg.
2011 Scanning results
The cow herd was scanned in August 2011. Of the pregnancies detected:
- Full twinners 8/16 were pregnant with twins
- Half twinners 16/24 were pregnant with twins
In the heifer herd
- Full twinners 0/3 were pregnant with twins
- Half twinners 3/10 were pregnant with twins
2010 Twinner Weaning Weights
On average at weaning (approximately eight months) the 2010 the twinner herd produced 565kg weaning weight calves per cow. In the single herd this was 347kg.
2010 Scanning results 2010
The cow herd was scanned in August 2010. Of the pregnancies detected:
- Full twinners 7/9 were pregnant with twins
- Half Twinners 3/7 were pregnant with twins
- Normal Herd 2/27 was pregnant with twins
The Heifer Herd was scanned in August 2010. Of the pregnancies detected:
- Full twinners 3/4 were pregnant with twins
- Half Twinners 8/17 were pregnant with twins