Calving refresher + a checklist to help you prep (sooner than later)

The spring calving season is here, and for some cow-calf producers, it may begin soon. Whether you start calving in January-February, or calve later in the year, now’s the time to start planning ahead. Here’s a checklist to help you plan and prepare to improve the success of your calving season and weaned calf crop.

1. Balance cow rations for adequate protein and energy for increased third trimester and subsequent lactation requirements. Group and feed cows by body condition and age to the degree possible. Target body condition for first calf heifers at calving of 5.5 to 6 and 5 to 5.5 for mature cows.
2. Develop a sound vaccination program to prepare the cow to produce high-quality colostrum.
3. Control lice and internal parasites.
4. Plan for recording calving data and consider ways to back up records.
5. Make sure calving facilities are clean and in good repair.
6. Plan for ear tags, tattoos, scale or weight tape, banding or castration.
7. Check flashlights and other quality portable light sources.
8. Review basic treatment plans with local veterinarian for retained placenta, calf scours, colostrum supplements and ensure necessary treatments and supplies are on hand or readily available. Include a functional thermometer.
9. Have on hand at least two clean and functional esophageal tube feeders, clearly marked, one for healthy calves, one only used for sick calves.
10. Plan and watch for opportunities to collect colostrum from within the herd. Date and freeze in quart sized plastic bags for future use.
11. If replacement calves are obtained from outside the herd, plan for their isolation and testing before exposing to entire herd.
12. Plan for severe weather; wind, freezing rain and blizzards are not uncommon. Plan for correcting calf hypothermia. Calf shelters should be in good repair, bedding on hand. Plans for portable windbreaks and calf shelters are available from your local Extension office.
13. Shift feeding to dusk or later to promote daytime calving one week before anticipated start of calving season.

Develop standard operation procedures for calving and providing assistance. Include list and contact information for individuals who can provide more expertise or assistance as required. 

Once you’ve done these things, consider this checklist for calving assistance:

• OB chains, calf puller, OB gloves, OB lube (non-detergent soap & water is one option), non-irritant antiseptic (Betadine or Nolvasan), flank rope to lay cow down.
• A cooler can be used to keep warm water in calving barn if no other source available.
• Old towels or something similar.

The following are suggestions on when to intervene should a heifer or cow need assistance:

• You suspect cow has been in Stage 1 over 8 hours.
• Stage 1 characteristics:
• restlessness
• pain
•  lies down and gets up frequently,
• seeks isolation (signs more apparent in first-calf heifers than mature cows).
• Stage 2 –
• Water sack visible for 2 hours and cow is not trying
• Cow trying for over 30 minutes and no progress is being made
• Cow has quit trying for over 15-20 minutes after a period of progress
• Cow or calf showing excessive fatigue or stress (swollen tongue or excessive bleeding)
• You can observe the calf presentation is other than two front feet and head first.

When Calves Arrive

• Calves should have colostrum within first 2 hours of life, if calf can’t get colostrum from dam, take steps to give colostrum within 4-6 hours of birth.
• Colostrum intake should be 10% of calf’s body weight, 0.5 to1 gallon. If supplementing colostrum, don’t overfeed to encourage calf to nurse on its own. A 1.5 quart dose is a good starting point.
• Handle healthy calves before sick calves and avoid exposing newborns to contaminants on clothing or materials used on sick calves.
• If a cow is brought in for any amount of calving assistance, make sure she leaves with a clean udder.

Work toward developing a notebook that has all the standard operating procedures for your operation. Include things like yearly vaccination plans, treatment protocols, calving and calving assistance protocols, euthanasia protocols, drought management plans and weather emergency plans. 

This will be a valuable resource when communicating with employees new and old, when reviewing what needs to be improved for the next year or if a health emergency forces someone else to take care of the herd.