Page 9 - MWC 2-2-2023s

A Good Start for Baby Calves The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P9

By Mark Z. Johnson
What should happen at save her calf’s life simply by begin the process
the beginning of life for a cleaning it immediately after of finding a teat
baby calf to get off to a good birth. The cleaning action to nurse. Manu-
start? In this issue we review accomplishes two things: it ally drying and
the sequence of several steps removes the fluid soaking warming may be
that need to happen. Some of the calf and stimulates mus- necessary for a
these we never witness and cle contractions and circula- weak new-born or
take for granted when we tion in the calf. Both prevent in extremely cold
find a new-born up and nurs- excess loss of body heat from winter weather.
ing. But along the way, if we the calf which can be con-
are watching it take place, served to help it stand and continued on page 17
this is what we should see:
1.The calf begins to
breathe. This one is obvious-
ly critical. Typically as a calf
comes out of the birth canal
and the umbilical cord is sev-
ered, their first reaction is to
inhale. Sometimes, a difficult
birth, less calf vigor, amniotic
fluid in the nostrils or throat,
or part of the amniotic sac
covering the nose prevents it
from happening. If you are Success Starts With Femaless
Success Starts With Female
observing the process after
delivery, you need to help a Offering 20+ pairs plus a package of outstanding heifers
calf that is not breathing im-
mediately. First, clear the sired by MJB Velocity 414E and 50+ of their bull siblings
airway. Use your fingers (or
small tube with a bulb on the
end) to remove fluids from
the back of the mouth and
remove anything covering
the nostrils. Then, insert a
piece of straw into the nostril
as a probe to try to stimulate
a sneeze reflex. This reflex
will cause the calf to blow out
fluids from the airway and J
Join Usoin Us
inhale. It should only take MARCH 26
a few seconds. Avoid hang-
ing calves over a fence rail MARYVILLE, MO
or picking up calves by their
rear legs. This is a common
mistake. The maneuver only
makes it more difficult for
the calf to breath by putting
the weight of internal organs
against the diaphragm and
lungs which need to move to
bring air in.
2.Cleaning and Drying the
calf. This is the beginning
of the maternal bond during
which the cow will lick the
calf dry and use her muz-
zle to stimulate the calf to
stand up. Calving this time
of year, when calves are leav-
ing the cozy environment of RED ANGUS • SALERS • COMPOSITES
the mothers womb at a tem-
perature of 101-102 degrees
Silver Spur Salers
F and hitting the grounds at W Silver Spur Salers Scott, Stacy, Landon
Watch for atch for
temperatures 60 – 100 de- updates on pdates on David and Janelle Frueh & Easton Liebhart
u
grees colder, make this very Fa 660-541-0361 660-562-3481
Facebookcebook
important to the calf’s sur-
vival. An attentive cow may