David and Julie Ingram, cattle farmers from Bonang in East Gippsland, were astonished when their purebred Hereford cow gave birth to quadruplets. This rare occurrence happened in May, marking the second time the cow had delivered calves on their property. Previously, she had given birth to twins.
The Ingrams had some experience with multiple births, having witnessed 12 sets of twins in 2018 and eight sets in the current year. However, the arrival of quadruplets took them by surprise, as they were expecting only twins, given the cow’s history.
The birth produced two heifers and two bull calves, born prematurely by about three to four weeks. Concerned for their well-being, the Ingrams decided to bring them inside and provide care, knowing the calves wouldn’t survive if left outside overnight.
Despite being born prematurely, the cow managed to feed and nurture two of the calves. The Ingrams took the decision to bottle-feed the remaining three, ensuring they had the best chance of survival.
After careful monitoring, one of the heifer calves was eventually returned to its mother, while the others were kept separate for six weeks before being reintroduced to the herd.
Unfortunately, the two bull calves faced complications and had to be euthanized. The unusual birth caught the attention of veterinarian Peter Alexander, who emphasized its rarity, noting that while he had heard of triplets before, quadruplets were extremely uncommon.
Dr. Alexander explained that cows typically ovulate only one egg, making multiple births unusual and posing risks such as premature delivery and potential fertility issues in the offspring.
Despite the challenges, the Ingrams remain committed to ensuring the health and fertility of their cow, who has now given birth to six calves at just over four years old.
They understand the importance of maintaining the well-being of their animals for long-term breeding success.