It was early in the afternoon at the tail end of calving season when my dad mercifully showed up at school to pull me out of my grade 11 history class. I remember thinking what a gorgeous day it was. An unseasonably warm stretch had melted most of the snow, the grass was starting to green up and, though I wasn’t sure, I thought I may have caught a snatch of meadowlark song.

Although there are year-round management strategies that can impact calving season success, here are some short-term, in-the-moment calving tips for success this year.

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.

Part two of strategies for successful calving, positive dystocias outcomes and prevention of stillbirths. Outlining expected communication protocols, prioritizing newborn calf care and accurate recordkeeping are key areas to focus on.

Dystocias and stillbirths of dairy cattle have a significant economic impact. Many studies over the years have found that dairy herds can encounter rates of dystocias and stillbirths exceeding 10%.