Rare phenomenon of superfetation occurs on Mayo farm

by Alison Laredo

A very unusual thing happened on a farm in Killasser, Swinford, three days ago when a cow gave birth to a calf two weeks after giving birth to another calf.

It looks like a case of the rare phenomenon of superfetation.

The cow, Evie, was artificially inseminated by Sean Hyland from Bova AI Service in October 2019 and February 2020.

It isn't known whether the two calves have two different fathers or the same father but conceived at different times.

Either way it's very unusual and the farmer Michael Lynch is very pleased that Evie and her calves Daisy and Surprise all survived and are doing well.

VIDEO BY ALISON LAREDO FROM THE KILLASSER FARM