“Be prepared” is a motto to live by, especially during calving season. With that in mind, here are a few items that are essential to have on hand, plus some best-practice tips to consider.

Colostrum. Y’all know the story, or at least I thought I did. In the Southeast, calves are being born left and right, and out West, producers are gearing up for calving season. And while there are about 654,168,334 things to deal with in the middle of the calving season, colostrum could be one of the most important for the newborn calf.

Calving season is upon us, and being prepared can be the best strategy for a successful calving season and healthy calf crop. Gathering supplies and preparing facilities for the calving season is critical so that last-minute preparations are minimal.

Weak calf syndrome is exactly as it sounds; newborn calves are born weak, fail to thrive and often never get up to nurse. This is not a new phenomenon, and the industry has been combating it for decades.

Over the years, research has shown that to be productive, each cow needs to be maintained at a certain body condition or within a certain range.

The first 24 to 48 hours of a calf’s life can spell the difference between a calf that thrives and grows with minimal intervention on our part and a calf that always seems to be behind the eight ball, lagging behind its herdmates and requiring more care and treatment to keep it going.

Hypothermia – lower than normal body temperature – is one of the major causes of death in newborn calves. Warmth and colostrum are the two most important factors in calf survival.

As calving season progresses, we hear of miracle remedies that will get an unthrifty calf up to snuff in no time. Whether oral or injectable, it’s good to understand what the active ingredient in the “cocktail” is that may – or may not – give the calf a boost.

Low-stress handling is a stockmanship practice that incorporates the understanding of the herd’s natural behaviors as it relates to movement and more positive management.

It is hard to have blanket recommendations for producers across the U.S., as environments and production practices vary so much between regions and even producers within regions. Nonetheless, there are some basic principles and practices that will give your calves the best chance at navigating the weaning process.