Double Trouble - dealing with twin calvings

Twins can be due to a negative energy balance during the time of breeding which can induce double ovulations, writes farm vet Hazell Mullins.

One of Hazell's sets of twin calves born on her family farm in Carrignavar, Co Cork.

Spring has sprung on the farm, and it's double the excitement this year with the arrival of two sets of twins within two days of each other. The first set (a bull and a heifer) was from a cow that has a long history of twins, so it is not her first rodeo, with this being the third year of twins. The second cow was a younger cow and had gorgeous twin bull calves with the most unusual markings. 

Twins can be due to a negative energy balance during the time of breeding which can induce double ovulations.