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Tag Archives calving

cow and calf
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A few tricks to grafting calves

Animal Health: It makes good economics to find replacement calves for productive cows

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Since the beginning of time, a common procedure in spring calving is cross-grafting calves onto surrogate mothers. It used to be calves were bought from dairies but you do run the risk of exposing your herd to infectious organisms such as scours. With many of the exotic breeds such as Maine Anjou, twinning can reach […] Read more
This newborn calf appears to be bright and alert and soon ready to try nursing.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Get newborn calves breathing and eating

Events immediately following birth are important to future health of the calf

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Two of the most important steps after a calf has been born are to make sure it breathes properly, especially if the calf had to be pulled. And then shortly after, make sure they find the udder. In most normal births, the calf will begin breathing within 30 to 60 seconds after delivery. If it […] Read more
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

A prolapse is not just a prolapse

There are many factors that can contribute to a vaginal prolapse

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The act of replacing a vaginal prolapse is really just the visible part. There are many other aspects veterinarians consider when they are working on these. The cause, method of replacement, long-term care and expected force of straining afterwards must all be considered when they are corrected. As an experienced veterinarian, there are times when […] Read more
Lynn using the tractor and blade to clear grass and debris from a ditch that will carry water for hayfield irrigation.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Cows can’t wait to head for green grass

Rancher's Diary: A quick look back at May as the spring season got underway with the end of calving, and time to start irrigating

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May 5 – Last Wednesday Andrea helped Lynn put up a temporary electric fence along the south side of the pasture where the cows and calves are. This will keep the calves from eating gravel along the ditch bank and keep them away from the elk panels on that side of the field (the backside […] Read more
In any breed there are basic features to look for in a replacement female.
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Tips on selecting female replacement cattle

In reality, bulls are more dispensable than good cows

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Beef producers place a lot of emphasis on finding a suitable herd sire as no one can dismiss the importance of bull power in the herd. As the overworked but entirely accurate phrase aptly illustrates, “your bull is half the herd.” However the “other” half merits significant consideration for the single largest livestock investment is […] Read more
cattle in a field
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner

Late spring calving can pack a profit

There are management issues, but also several pluses by waiting ’til mid-May calving

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I remember not too long ago, cow-calf operators in Western Canada calved most cows by mid-March. This century-old tradition allowed cows to nurse their calves and put heavy weaning-weight over the course of the summer and then calves were sold to feedlots by the end of October. This doesn’t seem to be the sole case […] Read more
diagram of a calf at birth
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Refresher on pulling a calf

Even if you have easy calvers, it's a skill worth perfecting

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Producers need to understand the proper use of a calf jack or hand-pulling techniques during a difficult calving, as different malpresentations need to be dealt with slightly differently. When pulling, be cognizant of the stress this puts on both the calf and cow. With more producers selecting for ease of calving in their breeding program, […] Read more
calf with a treated broken leg
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Dealing with broken bones in young calves

For a young calf with a hind leg fractured above the hock, a dog splint may be all you need

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Occasionally a young calf suffers a fractured limb, which needs to be cast or splinted for proper healing. Accidents sometimes occur, such as the cow stepping on her calf and breaking a leg. You might not see it happen, and just find the calf unable to get up, or very lame. You might discover the […] Read more
calf and cow in a barn stall with hay
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Treatment options for handling retained placentas

Animal Health: A common indicator of placenta retention is a decrease in milk production for calves

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Retained placentas is one health problem all producers face every spring. The resulting metritis (uterine infection) and subsequent infertility can have a large economic impact. A placenta is considered retained if not expelled after 24 hours. Infertility related to retained placentas results from the infection not being cleared and the cow either conceiving later or […] Read more
calf nursing at its mother
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Time for a midwinter feed inventory

Better Bunks and Pastures: Follow these tips for a better chance at strong, healthy calves

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Don’t let any recent balmy temperatures fool you. By the third week of the New Year, we should all have forgotten about climate change. Late-gestating beef cattle, a few months away from calving, are going to need more dietary energy to maintain good body condition until calving and also to keep warm. Although, most people […] Read more

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