It is calving season! You have done your best to prepare. The cows are in good shape, calving pens are ready. You have been working hard all year for this moment!
As the calf hits the ground, it is easy to forget the little details that set that baby up for success. Let’s look at small things that make a big difference not only on day one, but for the life of that calf.
Birth is stressful for mom and baby! Anything we can do to not add to that stress will aid the calf’s development. In the first moments of the calf’s life, bonding is essential.
Tagging the calf is ok; weighing and banding are essential steps on some operations. But how we do it can make a real difference.
Delay all interventions until momma and baby have had a chance to bond. Mom licking off the calf promotes circulation in the calf and can encourage the calf to get up and moving.
Do cows tend to run off when you tag their calf? If so, it is time to rethink your approach.
Making tags from a distance (instead of while you are kneeling on her calf) can help momma stay calm.
If you have multiple procedures to do, a sling where mom and baby can be nose to nose while you are working on the calf may be useful to keep the cow calm and you safe.
The navel on a calf is an easy entrance for pathogens. Spray bottles of iodine are handy and there are benefits such as not using a dirty cup to dip navels in. But the big drawback to a spray bottle is not getting adequate coverage of the navel.
A small, clean cup is still the best way to disinfect a navel. Use a small, bathroom size disposable cup. Put in a little iodine tincture. Hold the cup all the way to the body all and give it a shake. Then throw away the cup!
The alcohol in the iodine tincture will help dry out the navel as well. Teat dips are handy disinfectants but are designed to keep the teat soft and moist. We want the navel to dry.
Therefore, teat dips are not a good alternative for navel disinfection. Even the best attempts at disinfecting the navel are no match for a dirty environment.
Clean, dry bedding is vital for reducing the risk of navel infections. Continue to monitor newborn calves for navel infections. If you see swelling, any abnormal smell, or the calf is painful in the navel area, treat as soon as possible.
Talk to your veterinarian about best treatment options.
A newborn calf is depending on the immunoglobulins in colostrum to respond to disease. Colostrum is vital for a functioning immune system for the rest of the calf’s life. Timing, quality, and quantity matter.
A calf’s ability to absorb colostrum begins to decline hours after birth. An average beef calf should receive at least two quarts by four hours after birth and at least another two by 12 hours after birth. By 12 hours, the calf’s ability to absorb colostrum is almost gone.
A big calf, such as a Holstein, will need more. If a cow is unable to provide colostrum to her calf, colostrum from an older cow in your herd is a great option.
If you need to use a powdered mix, remember, all colostrum products are not equal! Be sure to purchase a replacement, not a supplement. Your veterinarian can help you select the best product.
We are starting to see other exciting benefits from colostrum! It has been a game changer in scour treatment for my practice. Many scour causes are not bacterial, so antibiotics will not help.
When used, we are then left dealing with the side effects of antibiotics, like killing off essential bacteria in the gut. We are beginning to learn that colostrum may help in treatment of scours if given early in disease and reduce the need for antibiotics.
We have a lot to learn about how and why colostrum helps. It could be the disease protecting immunoglobins, high fat content or high mineral and vitamin levels. Whatever the cause, it seems that colostrum has a calming effect on inflamed intestines.
Stay tuned as we learn more in the years to come. For right now, there are no downsides to trying it!
You do not need the higher priced replacements. You can use the colostrum supplements for this one. Use it early and more than once. It just may keep you from having a serious scour problem this year.
Remember, dehydration kills calves. Addressing the dehydration may be the most powerful thing you can do. Check electrolyte directions and mix accordingly. Some can be mixed with milk replacer, but most cannot.
Calving season can be the most rewarding time of the year and, the most discouraging. Be prepared, but be flexible. Remember, we are called to do the best we can, and it does not always go our way.
Please take care of yourself and your crew as well. We make checklists for needs of newborn calves. Do not forget about the needs of the two-legged part of the equation.
One cannot live on coffee alone! Rest and adequate fuel are just as important for you to get calving season off to the right start. Wishing you and your calves a fantastic start to a successful year.
Dr. Kristina Porter is a veterinarian from Huron, South Dakota. Dr. Porter received her BS in Animal Science from Kansas State University in 2008 and her DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State in 2010. Dr. Porter and her husband, also a veterinarian, practice in eastern South Dakota while raising their daughters and working on the family ranch. Dr. Porter has spent most of her career focusing on reproduction to maximize performance and profitability for her clients as well as using animal handling to create the healthiest, most efficient animal possible.
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