Tom Beschta, news@shawanoleader.com
Leader Photo by Tom Beschta Jamie and Dominic Mastey were given quite a surprise when their cow, Princess, gave birth to triplets June 27 on their farm in Bonduel.
In the 20 years Jamie and Dominic Mastey have worked on their farm near Bonduel, twin cows have always added up to a total of, well, two.
But when their son Elijah began his chores early June 27, they were all shocked when he discovered their cow Princess, who was expected to have twins, lying in a pasture with three calves.
“Elijah went out to get the cows that morning at about 5 a.m., and he called us about five after and said, ‘Princess had triplets,’” Jamie Mastey said.
Princess gave birth to two heifers and a bull, a rare occurrence among cows.
Joel Franks, the farm’s veterinarian from Valley Veterinary Clinic in Seymour, said research conducted by Dr. Paul Fricke of the University of Wisconsin-Madison department of dairy science suggests the odds of a cow giving birth to healthy triplets is around one-third of 1 percent.
Franks said he has only seen one other cow pregnant with triplets, but one of the calves did not survive.
“It’s pretty uncommon that all three calves are born viable,” Franks said.
While the triplets are exciting, the Masteys have been puzzled by the large number of twin calves born on their farm this year.
Three sets of twins were born prior to the triplets, and another three sets are on their way. Princess, who created the largest buzz with her triplets, is a twin herself.
Franks said the percentage of twin and triplet calves born on farms has increased. He said the trend is a result of improved nutrition and living conditions for cows.
According to Franks, a cow in a comfortable environment will produce more milk, which in turn causes them to produce more eggs, creating better chances for multiple calves.
“It’s actually a compliment to (the Masteys) farm management and the health of their cattle,” Franks said.
Mastey said Princess was initially due July 12, but the triplets caused early birthing. Despite the early delivery, Princess and the calves managed to come through with no complications and are all healthy.
“Princess did it by herself; we did nothing,” Mastey said. ” We just found her in the pasture with three babies.”
Mastey said the only other time she has seen triplet calves born in the area was a couple of years ago on the Zernicke farm in Bonduel.
The Masteys are still coming up with names for the calves, but in the meantime they are just happy the calves are healthy and that they could experience something so rare.
The Masteys have around 75 cows and the same amount of young stock.