Utah farmer witnesses rarity: 2-headed calf

The Associated press

First Published Feb 02 2013 07:19 pm • Last Updated Feb 02 2013 10:05 pm

Young Ward, Cache County • A northern Utah farmer is donating a rarity to Utah State University for research: a two-headed calf.

The calf was delivered by a veterinarian Wednesday night on Brad Tolman’s farm in Young Ward.

Logan’s Herald Journal reports that while the calf was alive when labor started, it had died by the time it was delivered.

Veterinarian Aldon Watkins says it was only the second two-headed calf he has delivered.

USU veterinary technician Sarah Behunin says the two-headed calf will be used by veterinary students to study birth defects.

She says it’s unclear why two-headed calves occur, but a popular theory is that an egg begins dividing into identical twins but doesn’t finish the process.

The Angus heifer that gave birth is expected to make a full recovery.

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