Here I thought that with a beef cow I’d have no udder concerns. Wrong. I can’t get Flora and her calf into the barn and her two front teats are each swollen as big around as my wrist. I’m sure she has a raging case of mastitis.
I’m not sure how I would handle her teats even if I could get Flora into the barn (she’s never been in a stanchion, she’s never even been haltered) but as her flight/charging distance (she definitely looks as if she might charge to protect her calf; I’ve had a pitchfork in my hand when I’ve gone into the paddock with her) is about three hundred feet, that’s not the first problem I need to solve. I can’t think what to do.
Worried, worried, worried.
Fairhope Farm 
I have a cow who has a similar problem every time she calves. Daisy is half Angus, and looks very similar to your Flora. I have read that this problem (they call it having “bottle teats”) is pretty common among Black Angus, and is a heritable trait. (Most farmers with large herds cull for it).
I understand your worry; the huge teats looks so uncomfortable! I also want to encourage you that she does not necessarily have mastitis. If you are unable to get her in, there is a very good chance that the calf will be able to take care of the problem. The first time our Daisy calved, I milked out her front teats three times, I think. I was very anxious about how swollen she was, and did not want mastitis to set in. I remember that it took both my hands to squeeze her enormous teats, and even then I could scarcely get the milk out. However, the calf took hold much more quickly than I thought possible, and they slimmed down to a more normal size. The second time she calved, I only milked her out once, and the calf took over from there. The third time, I did nothing but watch her closely. Within three days, the calf was taking all four quarters and the Coke bottles had gone down to a more normal size.
I agree with you that if it were me, I’d want to get her in and work on those teats to help her out–but the calf has a bigger mouth than I usually give it credit for!
Thanks so much for this information. I had never seen nor heard of bottle teats. That is definitely what it is. I bet you can hear my deep sigh across the miles!
Leave that cow alone she will be fine. If you were able to get close to those tits there is a good chance that you might get your pretty little head kicked off.
Jack, you are always so kind and always make me laugh. Thank you!