Are you and your beef cows ready for calving season? What supplies and equipment do we need to have ready before the first calves arrive? What are the metabolic changes that impact the cow’s energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements?
Preparation for calving season needs to include gathering the items listed below. Calving season could start 10-14 days earlier than expected so don’t wait until the last minute to get items together and organize your calving equipment. The items need to be stored in a clean and easily accessible area. Give some thought to how the OB tools and puller will be cleaned after each use. How and where are the OB tools washed and dried? The calf’s immune system is naïve until it consumes colostrum and the cow’s immune system is suppressed around calving. The emphasis on sanitation is to prevent exposing the calf and the cow’s reproductive tract to pathogens during this high risk period. If an animal is needing assistance with calving her stress level is higher than normal. If it is a very difficult pull there will be additional trauma to the reproductive tract. What we do during these few hours will impact the cow’s ability to recover from calving and breed back on schedule.
Supply and Tool Check List
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Source of warm water |
Bucket for OB tools and disinfectant |
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Disinfectant |
Empty soap bottle for squirting disinfectant solution |
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OB gloves |
OB lubricant |
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1 Long OB chain |
2 Short OB chains |
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Calf puller (check cables) |
Head snare |
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Soft brush for cleaning cow |
Brush for cleaning equipment |
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Navel disinfectant |
Colostrum Replacer |
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Small pail for mixing |
Calf bottle – extra nipple |
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Milk Replacer |
Paper towels or clean cloth towels |
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Esophageal feeder |
Syringes and needles |
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Tags |
Bands |
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Medications |
Electrolytes |
Biological processes that increase nutrient requirements
Most of the calf’s development occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy which increases the demand for energy, protein, mineral and vitamins. The majority of mammary system development is occurring at this time as well as the production of colostrum. The cow will pull from maternal stores to meet the growing calf’s demand. This is especially true for the trace minerals copper, zinc and selenium. These trace minerals are needed for many functions, but critical for maintaining a strong immune system. Milk is a poor source of copper and zinc, which implies the calf will be using the stored minerals the first several months of life. In short, the pre-calving period is when we need to have the best nutrition program possible. CRYSTALYX® Brand Supplement offers a wide variety of supplements to fit your operation. The Breed Up® formulas are designed with a higher nutrient profile just for the calving and breeding season.
Now is the time to prepare your calving equipment and supplies and check your nutrition program for a successful calving season. A little effort and planning now can make assisting at calving go much smoother.
