Calving season is a time of year most cow-calf producers are excited to see come. There is the joy of seeing the baby calves running around and playing and the anticipation of how the calves out of a new bull or a mating will turn out. However, there are the occasional problems that can come with calving. Being prepared and having a calving kit can make dealing with dystocia, a calf not wanting to nurse, a cow not producing colostrum or some other situation much easier.
Although abnormal presentations (e.g., breech, a leg turned back, etc.) can’t be avoided, other causes of dystocia can be greatly reduced or eliminated. Selection for both calving ease direct and calving ease maternal can greatly reduce calving problems. Additionally, making sure heifers are properly developed and have reached 85% or more of their mature weight before calving is critical. Cows should be in good body condition to ensure they have the energy needed to get through the calving process and can produce high-quality colostrum.
A calving kit should include some basic tools and supplies. The list below contains common items to include in a calving kit.
- Fact sheet on dystocia and calf care
- Two OB chains
- Two OB handles
- OB sleeves
- Exam gloves
- Disinfectant
- Bucket
- Some type of lubricant
- Rope halter
- Esophageal calf tube feeder
- Calf bottle
- Powdered colostrum
Make sure to print out a fact sheet on when and how to assist a cow when calving problems occur and put it with the other supplies. The publication titled “Calving time management for beef cows and heifers” from Oklahoma State University is an excellent option to have handy.
For most operations, a calf puller is likely not justified. If that many calves are being pulled, it suggests that something needs to change in terms of genetic selection, heifer development or both.
If a calf has not nursed within six hours of birth, it should be given colostrum from the cow or another source. Powdered colostrum replacements vary in quality, the amount to administer to provide a good level of antibodies and energy, as well as shelf life. Products made from bovine colostrum are preferred by some over colostrum products made from blood serum. An esophageal tube feeder can be used to administer colostrum to weak calves or those that will not nurse a bottle.
