The problems you describe as taking place post-calving indicate there is no calving difficulty, but the teat and udder structure of the cows prevents the calves from getting colostrum in a timely fashion. Teat and udder conformation can be affected by nutritional status or other environmental factors. Teat size and udder suspension are under a moderate level of genetic control with most estimates indicating that genetic differences account for 20 to 30% of the variation in the udder traits. As cows age, their teats become larger and the suspensory ligaments that support the udder become weaker; thus, pendulous udders develop. There are large breed differences in beef cows in teat and udder conformation, and, there are also large differences within breeds. You should begin to cull the worst of your cows on teat and udder problems, and avoid their daughters as potential replacements. For this year at calving, you may have to hand milk the worst cows and get that colostrum into calves with a tube feeder, but any such cows should be marked for culling.

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