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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
Cows need their space at calving — even just a few minutes alone so they can properly bond with the calf.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Calving wrapped up in 20 days

We have well-aged manure to spread for fertilizer on pasture

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March 22 This week we started our “fertilizer” project. We have big piles of old manure that Michael sorted out of the other debris when he cleared out the junk and old fallen-down sheds by the corrals. Heifer hill needs fertilizer the most since we haven’t been able to feed cows on it enough for […] Read more
Look for opportunities to supply calves with certain carcass or production characteristics that fit a certain branded beef marketing program. Selecting a bull with desirable traits might help a producer to tap into higher value markets.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Select herd sires to meet end-use objectives

Are you breeding for meat production or replacement heifers? A program could be a combination of live service as well as AI

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Sire selection depends on the producer’s goals, how the offspring will be marketed and/or if heifers will be retained as replacements. The genetics and phenotypical traits of the cow herd will be a factor in trying to select bulls that complement those cows and ultimately produce the best calves possible to meet those goals. Often […] Read more
Having two or even three esophageal feeding tubes on hand and used during calving season is an effective way to ensure calves are supplied with key nutrients and other products when they are needed.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

An esophageal feeder is a key tool in saving calves

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: It is an effective way to administer a range of products to newborn or sick animals

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Modern tool boxes in cow-calf production would not be complete without preferably at least two esophageal feeding tubes. These relatively simple, multipurpose feeding tools allow a safe, convenient method to give things such as colostrum or colostrum replacers, electrolytes, milk replacers and a few other treatments to calves. No producer should feel they don’t know […] Read more
keeping calves warm
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Tips for warming cold calves

Get colostrum into newborn calves, and get them dried off

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Calves born during blizzards or any type of cold weather can chill quickly. Calves with body temperature below 38 C need warming. If their temperature is below 36 C, their condition is critical. There are several ways to safely warm calves. Dr. Robert Callan, a veterinarian and professor at Colorado State University in the Department […] Read more
It takes some thinking as well as experience to know when to pull by hand, when to use the calf puller jack, or when to call for help.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips on using a calf puller

Often it is not needed, but when it is be careful with positioning and pulling pressure

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We don’t see as many calving problems today because most producers try to use bulls that sire lower-birthweight calves, says Dr. Matt Miesner of Kansas State University. But there are still occasional problems, such as backward calves, when a calf puller is needed and cows and calves are injured by improper pulling, especially with a […] Read more
When pulling a calf, once you snug the chains up make sure the tail is down and there is enough room.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Tips for delivering a backwards calf

Animal Health with Roy Lewis: If one calf presents backwards, there is a good chance there may be another

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With improved breeding practices nowadays, calving season is more about mothering up, colostrum consumption and keeping calves warm and dry. Cases of calving difficulty have been greatly reduced. However, the backwards calf is still the most common calving malpresentation that require some intervention. With the alignment of the calf and the way the feet are […] Read more
Once a calf gets weak and gets down or has no suckle reflex, it needs IV fluid.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Important scour-prevention tips for calves

Keep calving facilities clean, and focus on good herd health status

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Scours is the number-one killer of calves under two months of age. It takes many different management strategies to prevent scours and it is important to know that it is caused by many different things. The following points will offer some ideas to reduce the buildup of organisms and increase resistance in your calves. Disease […] Read more

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