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Calving Season Starts Soon
DR. JEREMY POWELL
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.
Spring calving season is just around the corner for many Arkansas cow-calf producers. A calf lost during or shortly after calving reduces the pounds of calf available to sell at weaning. Keep in mind a few simple management techniques that will help ensure success in your operation.
To minimize problems with calving difficulty (dystocia), observe cattle frequently and have calf pulling equipment and disinfectant supplies readily available. Since they are the most likely members of the breeding herd to experience calving difficultly, it is a good idea to pay special attention to first-calf heifers. Consider placing heifers in the pasture closest to the house or where most easily viewed.
Be able to recognize the signs that calving is near. Udder filling, springing (relaxation of the vulva) and loss of the mucus plug can happen at varying times prior to calving but indicate that calving season is around the corner. Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and strutting of the teats usually occur within 24 hours of calving. Cows and heifers will become uneasy and seek a quiet place as calving approaches. Complete dilation of the cervix, serious straining and calf delivery normally take 60 to 90 minutes for heifers and 30 to 60 minutes for cows. Assistance may be needed if reasonable progress stops after the feet or water bag appear. Therefore, when you are observing a cow in labor, keep in mind that if no progress has been made after 30 to 60 minutes, then assistance should be heavily considered. After calving, monitor cows and heifers for retained placentas.
Research has shown that evening cattle feeding will result in more calves being born during daylight hours. Therefore, adjusting the time of day you feed pregnant cows can have an effect on the time of day they give birth. Feeding after 5 p.m. results in an approximately 80 percent chance of cows calving during daylight hours while feeding during morning hours results in a 50 percent chance of cows calving during day light hours. The benefits of calving during the day include making it easier for you to check the pregnant animals, increasing the likelihood of identifying cows with calving difficulty, and a decreased potential for calf death loss from hypothermia due to calves being born at night when temperatures are generally colder.
Calf losses associated with calving difficulty (dystocia) can be a train wreck for a herd of any size. In addition to calf losses, weak calves, longer postpartum intervals (return to cycling) and decreased pregnancy rates during rebreeding can result from dystocia. It is important to note that underfeeding cows and heifers prior to calving will not decrease calving difficulty but can reduce calf vigor. Thin cattle may have difficulty calving if they are lacking in muscle and stamina to expel the calf.
One opportunity to avoid issues with calving difficulty starts long before calving season with proper bull selection. A calving ease bull should be utilized to minimize a significant problem. If calving difficulty has been an issue in the past, then it is time to reevaluate the herd sires being used. A 60-pound live calf is better than a 100-pound dead calf.
Colostrum plays a vital role in the newborn’s immune status during the first few months of its life. In order to ensure that the cow will give good quality colostrum, the cow gets adequate nutrition during her pregnancy. The most important nutrient for the production of good quality colostrum is protein. Colostrum contains a very large amount of antibodies from the cow’s immune system. Anti bodies are made of protein. In order for the cow to produce good quality colostrum, protein is essential in the cow’s diet. Depending on breed, a cow in late gestation should receive 1½ to 2 pounds of protein per head per day to meet requirements. A good vaccination program is also vitally important in order for a cow to develop antibodies to supply in her colostrum.
After birth, make sure that the calf nurses properly. Signs that a calf has nursed include wet or curled hair around teats and a shiny appearance to teats. Calves need to receive colostrum from the dam as soon as possible (preferably within the first 30 minutes) after birth. It is preferable if a calf receives colostrum by nursing its dam; however, a calf that has had a difficult birth or has not had an opportunity to nurse within 1 to 2 hours after birth should be fed colostrum. A good rule of thumb for adequate amount of colostrum is to feed 5 percent of the calf ’s body weight (about 2 quarts for an 80-pound calf). Then, feed the same amount again approximately 6 hours later. This may be done using a stomach tube if the calf is too weak to nurse. With each passing hour, the calf’s ability to absorb colostrum declines along with the amount of colostrum in the dam’s milk.
Colostrum is important for building calf immunity and resistance to diseases such as scours and pneumonia. Know the signs of a sick calf: rapid breathing, lowered head and ears, dry muzzle, inside of mouth is cold to the touch, scouring, fever and abnormal posture, to name a few. Early treatment of a sick calf is best. Dehydration and secondary disease can be calf killers, so have a fluid therapy program prepared for scouring calves. In the event of severe weather, be prepared to protect young calves with shelter.
To complement good record keeping, calves should be ear tagged and/or tattooed at birth with a unique identification number so they can be matched to their dams and properly identified for herd records. Calf birth date, gender and birth weight should be recorded at calving for future use in herd improvement efforts. Castration, dehorning and implanting can also easily be per formed at this time.
Utilizing a controlled breeding and calving season improves management opportunity for the herd and will prevent having to constantly observe the herd for calving through out the year. Good management of the cow herd during the calving season will pay off when it comes time to sell weaned calves. For more information on calving management or related topics, contact your local county extension office.∆
DR. JEREMY POWELL: DVM Assistant Professor/Veterinarian, University of Arkansas
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