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Cow-Calf

With good observational skills you can correct and save most calves when a cow is having difficulty during calving.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

A great video that shows calving techniques

Animal Health: It helps to correct a malpresentation when you know what it looks like

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Calving season is here and even though “hard pulls” — difficult deliveries or C-sections — are rare these days, they do happen. The calving cow needs our attention and help the most when there is some form of malpresentation. This is one time where we can make a big difference by recognizing something isn’t right, […] Read more
There will be a sharp year- over-year decline in U.S. beef production in the second quarter of 2023.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Lower cattle supplies will be the theme for 2023

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Consumers keep buying despite inflation and high interest rates

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As of mid-February, Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in a live basis in the range of $195-$196/cwt delivered, up $10/cwt from 30 days earlier. The market had been percolating higher due to tighter supplies of market-ready fed cattle. Dressed cattle marketing weights have been declining on both sides of the border, giving the feedlot […] Read more
This Jersey cow bred to a new Black Angus heifer bull had no trouble delivering this crossbred bull calf, indicating a good start to the calving season.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Getting ready for calving season

Eppich News: Milking two cows leads to a wide range of homemade dairy products

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January passed by in a blink of an eye. Gregory fed cows every day and usually had to move snow around to either feed or to bed. Overall, the weather was pretty nice, so the boys and I would work on some schoolwork in the mornings, and then go out and play in the afternoon. […] Read more
Tightening the calving season
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tightening the calving season

How to increase profitability through calving distribution

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A video produced by the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) can help producers calculate the benefits of tightening up the calving season, to increase the pounds of beef produced by weaning. According to the BCRC, calving distribution is the percentage of calves born in each 21-day cycle throughout the calving season. Each time a cow […] Read more
While retaining or buying heifers are the two most common replacement strategies, they are far from the only options.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

More than one way to get replacement cows

The general rule of an annual 10 per cent turnover in the cow herd may be an underestimate

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I had the privilege of presenting a replacement female course in the Maritimes this fall (after three years or so of COVID, and airport-related delays). It provided a good opportunity to take some time to think through replacement strategies and the actual issues surrounding replacements. Most of us underestimate the replacement rate of our cow […] Read more
There is nothing wrong with letting a sleeping calf lie but pay attention in case the calf might be suffering from some ailment and is not just resting. A little extra attention in calving season helps to spot health problems while they still can be corrected.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Miscellaneous health problems in calves

Animal Health: A little extra time spent checking newborn calves might help reduce losses

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It has always been my premise that spending a bit more time on specific cases during the calving season may reap benefits for those calves with ailments. I know one must spend their time wisely at calving season, but even just keeping a cow-calf pair in isolation a bit longer may be all that is […] Read more
The nutritional requirements of calved-out first-calf heifers is much different than that of mature cows, yet the feed needs to be presented into a denser post-calving diet due to the heifers’ smaller dry matter intake (DMI) and lower forage gut-capacity.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

First-calf heifers need to be prepared for rebreeding

They need to calve in good condition and then be kept in good condition as they also continue to grow and nurse a calf

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It’s easy to envision beef heifers that give birth to their first calf only as a younger version of mature brood cows. However, they do have extra challenges after calving that must be addressed to get rebred in the next few months. As young animals, giving birth for the first time and nursing a newborn […] Read more
Veterinarian Susie Lutz uses her arms to manually help dilate or stretch the vulva and vagina of this cow that is about to give birth.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips on when and how to check a cow when calving

It’s a combination of art and science to know when to assist in a birth without being too forceful

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Most cows and heifers near calving progress normally through the three stages of labour: early labour, active labour with abdominal straining, and expulsion of the placenta after delivery of the calf. Uterine contractions in early labour get the calf aimed toward the birth canal, the cervix dilates, and the calf starts through. The water sac […] Read more
Once the calf is in position, begin pulling slowly. This gives the cervix time to fully dilate as buttocks and hips start through. Traction should be applied on one hind leg at a time until its stifle has been drawn over the brim of the cow’s pelvis.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Important tips on birthing backward calves

You need to confirm their actual position before you start pulling

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Most calves are born head first, front feet extended, but a few are positioned backward and may not survive unless you are there to help with delivery. The backward calf usually suffocates because his head is still inside the cow when his umbilical cord breaks or pinches off as his midsection comes through the cow’s […] Read more
Once the calf hits the ground it is important to make sure the cow has proper nutrition leading up to breeding season.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Get and keep cows ready for rebreeding

A balanced ration needs to include essential mineral mix

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Last year, a record-breaking cold Prairie winter followed by a snowy spring and a shortage of good-quality forage left a lot of overwintered beef cows in dire body condition by the time they calved. Many didn’t recover during the months leading up to the breeding season. As a result, many cows were not prepared to […] Read more

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