Preparing for Calving Season

Here are some pointers to help make calving run more smoothly on your operation.

Prepare for the increased workload by checking calving equipment and facilities.

• Take the time to do a walk through and inspection of your calving facilities.
• Is calf-working equipment, such as calf pullers, obstetric chains, etc. in good working condition? Are there items you meant to repair last summer but forgot about or neglected to fix? Fix them now, before you need to use them.
• Are the calving pens ready for the demands of calving season? Do you have adequate bedding supplies ready to protect mothers and newborn calves from cold temperatures and snow? Extra bedding and protection from the elements (especially cold, wet conditions) will help to ensure the survival of more calves in severe winter weather.

Invariably, cows and calves will require treatment for sickness or injury during this time. It is best to be prepared ahead of time.

• Do you have a supply of replacement colostrum available for situations when the cow may not produce enough? Ideally, you should use colostrum from cows in your own herd when you need to provide supplemental colostrum to your newborns. Store supplemental colostrum in Ziploc® freezer bags or Serving Savers®. These storage devices will make storing and thawing easier and insure that calves receive good-quality colostrum.
• Do you have the pharmaceutical and veterinary supplies you might need during calving? If you don’t have suture, needles, syringes, and other supplies, purchase them now. It can be difficult to find a place to buy them in the middle of the night. Organize and store these supplies so they are easy to access when needed.
• If you have hired labor assisting you during calving or if you have asked a neighbor to fill in for a few hours while you are gone, take the time to show them where all necessary equipment and supplies are located. In addition, be sure to give them the phone number of your local veterinarian in case a calving-related emergency occurs.