According to the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System calves are typically born during the months of February, March, and April.
With calving season in full swing here are two more things you can do, according to Beef Magazine, to make sure you’re prepared before your cows are ready to deliver their babies.
Be Ready to Hand-Feed a Newborn
Colostrum is the first milk that’s produced by mammals after a newborn is delivered. It contains antibodies, immunological cells, and bioactive compounds that help give a newborn a healthy start to life. Most mammals start to generate colostrum just before giving birth.
A newborn calf that has an insufficient intake of colostrum is 10 times more likely to become sick or die than a calf that receives enough of this vital first milk, advises Beef Magazine.
In order for newborn calves to develop sufficient passive immunity, colostrum must be ingested within six hours of birth. This means you may have to hand-feed colostrum to calves if they haven’t nursed within the first four hours, or if they’ve had difficult births.
Colostrum supplements can be used in conjunction with the intake of maternal colostrum. Colostrum replacers can be used in the place of colostrum.
Know the Stages of the Birthing Process
As a beef producer it’s important to have an understanding of the stages of the birthing process so that you know when something unusual occurs. So make sure you’re familiar with the stages of labor and the length of each stage, as well as with the different calf presentations, and how to help your animals if needed. Be clear about when and how to assist a cow that is having a challenging delivery, and when to call in a veterinarian for help.
Normal delivery should be completed within one to two hours after the water sac appears, according to Beef Magazine. The front feet of the calf should appear after the water sac, and the hooves should face downward. If a first-calf heifer hasn’t delivered within one to one and-a-half hours following the water sac it may need help.
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