Page 27 - MWC 2-2-2023s

Winter Calving By Mark Z. Johnson, OSU Extension The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P27

beef cattle breeding specialist

Calving during the win- •Colostrum and feeding animal is wet
ter months can present some bottle to the skin. In
unique challenges. Cold and/ •Flashlight and batteries regard to new-
or wet weather, higher birth •OB Sleeves born calves,
weights, fewer hours of day- •Non-detergent lubricant consider that
light and in most herds, this •Antiseptic in the birth
is the time of year when we, •OB chains and calf puller process they
as producers, are the primary •Paper towels are leaving
source of nutrition provided •Rope halter the cozy en-
in the form of harvested for- •Large cloth towel vironment of
age and supplemental feeds. Also, understand the three their moth-
What can we do to make calv- stages of bovine parturition. er’s womb at
ing in the late winter months It’s important to know what a temperature of 101-102 de- er calving include:
as problem-free as possible? to expect when a cow or heif- grees F and hitting the ground •Provide adequate wind
GET PREPARED! er goes into labor in order to at temperatures as much as breaks, shelter, and bedding so
Calving Kit and Facilities know when and how to provide 100 degrees colder. Add in cows can separate and calve in
Prior to Calving Season, it assistance. rain, snow, muddy ground or a warmer, dryer, protected en-
is important to take inventory Account for Cold Weather high winds and the situation vironment.
of our facilities. Our working Cold, wet weather drives up can be catastrophic for new- •Plan ahead to provide the
pens, chutes and alley ways cow nutritional requirements borns. While nature equips additional protein and energy
calves with a limited amount
need to be in good working and cows should be fed ac- needs of cows during the final
order. If we have a calving cordingly. The Mesonet Cattle of brown adipose tissue which trimester of pregnancy and the
is burned internally to create
barn or indoor facility remem- Comfort Advisor is an excel- beginning of lactation.
ber to check cameras, batter- lent tool for monitoring weath- heat for survival. Extreme •Sort first calf heifers from
cold can overwhelm the ability
ies, and light bulbs. We want er conditions and the impact cows and manage accordingly.
all facilities ready BEFORE they have on cattle. According to create enough internal heat Heifers are inexperienced and
and hypothermia can occur.
we find ourselves assisting to the Mesonet Cattle Comfort more likely to need a higher
that first heifer in the calving Advisor, cow energy require- Calves suffering from hypo- level of attention during calv-
thermia are more susceptible
process. ments increase 1% for each de- ing and the initial stages of
To be fully prepared, have gree the cattle comfort index is to naval infections, pneumo- claiming and raising a calf.
the following list of supplies in below 32 degrees F. This ener- nia, and scours. Best manage-
a cooler, bucket or toolbox: gy need will double to 2% if the ment practices for cold weath-

I’LL TELL

YOU WHAT.

BUT ARE

YOU WILLING

TO LISTEN?

With all of the changes coming our way, we have to feed cattle better. As good
as we are today, it might not be good enough for them tomorrow. It’s up to us to
have healthy cattle that perform with fewer treatments. And it can be done. Don’t
believe me? There’s research and other cattle feeders that can back it up.

Ask us about NaturSafe... if you’re willing to listen. DiamondV.com/NaturSafe