Neshoba County farmers, Alice Perryman and her daughter, Stacie Collins, recently experienced a rare occurrence on the Perryman Farm. On February 27, 2025, their 2-year old heifer gave birth for the first time and had fraternal twins. During our discussion, I recalled similar occurrences of twins being born on my father’s farm in Kemper County many years ago. I recalled the excitement each time that surrounded the birth of twins to his Hereford cows at that time. When my late husband, Walter and I decided to enter the farming business, my father gifted us a cow and her twin calves as our starter cattle.
The birth of twins is considered rare because according to the statistics, there is a 1-2% chance of all pregnancies that a cow would have twins. While twin births are believed to be more common in older cows and certain cattle breeds, it is believed that the birth of twins during first calving (first birth) is less than 1%. While this is generally not desirable for first calving, its likelihood of less than 1% occurrence made the moment special. It has been stated that when cows have twins, the mother will reject one, requiring the farmer to find another means of providing milk for the calf. Surprisingly, the mother accepted both calves and she is feeding them by natural means regularly.
With intentional efforts to ensure proper bonding and feeding, the following plan was put into action. To keep her milk production up, the mother was fed with a special grain blend and hay. Mother was isolated with her twins for approximately 4-weeks in a separate pasture area to allow for monitoring and bonding time before moving them into the pasture area with the other cattle. It was with planning and intentional efforts that this birth and bonding was a success for the mother and her twins. From the previous experience of watching my father deal with the twins many years ago, I immediately knew what to do to ensure that both calves were given a fair opportunity to bond with the mother.
After many years, the birth of twins was bittersweet as it brought back wonderful memories of farming experiences with her late husband and father.
*Alice Perryman and her daughter Stacie Collins are Winston County Self Help Cooperative Members*
