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Cow-Calf

Newborn calves are born with virtually no immunity of their own.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips for getting calves up and going

Great calving season advice from the Beef Cattle Research Council

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Calving is a natural process. Most cows give birth to a healthy calf and everything goes as planned. However, there are times when things go wrong. Perhaps there is a malpresentation, such as a backwards arrival, or the calf’s foot is back. In some cases, calves may not take their first breath after a difficult […] Read more
This Montana beef producers aims to find a balance between heifer age and growth as they are managed toward puberty. They need size, but he doesn’t want them fat.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips on growing replacement heifers

Keep them growing with a good plane of nutrition, but don’t get them fat

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Developing a set of good heifers is the goal of everyone raising their own replacements. Success depends on many factors, including age at puberty, herd health, a proper vaccination program, parasite control and nutrition. Fertility and age at puberty are heritable but also influenced by nutrition. Heifers need optimal nutrition for growth and development, including […] Read more
Veterinarian Susie Lutz works to dilate the vagina of this heifer in preparation of pulling the calf.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips on when and how to check cows during calving

Don’t hesitate to check progress — it’s better to intervene a bit early than too late

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Most cows and heifers progress normally through 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 and then the […] Read more
It doesn’t have to be a fancy ration, but proper nutrition for cows and heifers after they calve will have multiple benefits down the road.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Invest in a good feeding program after calving

It benefits in rebreeding and also fall-calf weaning weights

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I give nursing beef cow diets a passing grade when they support beef cows to produce lots of milk for their newborn calves and promote growth in postpartum replacement heifers. These diets must also retain their precious body condition (BCS of 2.5 -3.0, on a 5-point scale) so females can get rebred and conceive within […] Read more
Veterinarian recommends having a good supply of good quality disinfectants and cleaning products on hand at calving.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Your calving season checklist — be prepared

Don’t wait till the last minute to start searching for equipment

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Before calving starts, you want everything you might need on hand, and have all facilities and equipment functional and ready for use. A few calves may arrive early, so don’t wait till the last minute to get machinery or other equipment out of the calving barn or maternity pen if that’s where you stored or […] Read more
Prep heifers for breeding and calving
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Prep heifers for breeding and calving

Bred or unbred, these animals need energy to grow

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Many producers are retaining more replacement heifers than in previous years. There are many good reasons to do so, but if so they should assure that unbred replacements are receiving adequate midwinter nutrition in order to be ready for breeding in the spring and ready to give birth to their first healthy calf. Given that […] Read more
It is important to make sure newborn calf is “accepted” and gets proper feed of colostrum.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips for a healthy calving season

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: All players should share ideas of what works and what doesn’t

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Spring calving season is close upon us and every year after the fact, there are always some things we would do differently. Calving is a humbling experience, even for veterans. I am sure you all have some words of wisdom to share, and I am all ears. We can all learn from each other, and […] Read more
Cow-calfers and backgrounders should hold off
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Markets

Cow-calfers and backgrounders should hold off

Market Update with Jerry Klassen: Keep lighter calves from the 2020 crop for as long as you can

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Feed grain prices have been the largest factor influencing yearling and calf prices over the past couple of months. As of mid-January, feed barley was trading in the range of $275/mt to $285/mt delivered in the Lethbridge area while feedlots in the Red Deer region were making purchases from $265/mt to $272/mt delivered. Barley prices […] Read more
The bacteria that causes leptospirosis may be spread by being excreted in an animal’s urine and can spread in water sources from wildlife.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Leptospirosis in cattle is difficult to study

Animal Health: Often affects beef reproduction and can reduce milk production

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We struggle in veterinary practice in Western Canada to make sense of the leptospirosis disease complex, as it can be hard to substantially diagnose. Leptospirosis is caused by spirochete bacteria that infect lots of different animal species but only certain serovars (variations within bacteria) are really pathogenic to cattle. Pomona and Hardjo are two variations […] Read more

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