Page 39 - MWC 3-10-2022s

THREE TIPS There are calf warmers The Midwest Cattleman · March 10, 2022 · P39
continued from page 37 that can dry them off as the ability and what current envi- having in mine.
Watch for navel and joint ill in newborn calves if calves experience dystocia, unit warms the calf. Anoth- ronmental conditions are like. •Calf resuscitator
•Calf pulling chains
er benefit is, when inside the If it's extreme enough, drying
which often results in delayed
K-State beef cattle expert describes signs of illness standing and nursing, both warmer, the calf is actually and warming every calf could •OB handles
breathing in warm air, help- be necessary.
•Stainless steel pail
can quickly lower their body •Chlorhexidine disinfec-
temperature. ing to warm them internally, 3: Have a Stocked Calving
A cold calf is going to be as well. That's my favorite Kit tant solution
slow and a little lethargic – way to warm a chilled calf. It’s better to have it and not •OB sleeves
they might not want to stand As far as when we need to need it, than to need it and not •OB lube
•Iodine or umbilical spray
up. If their nose or extremities warm them up, I recommend have it – and that’s especially
•Colostrum replacers and
like their feet or right above warming if their body tem- true as we head into calving supplements
their feet feel cold, then most perature falls below 100°F. season. I recommend having a
likely they need warming. Producers will also need to calving kit on-hand; here are Drovers
Beware the signs of hypo- consider wind break avail- some items I’ve always valued
thermia, which include:
•Body temperature below
94° F
•Shivering
•Increased pulse and
breathing rate
•Erratic behavior
•Confusion and uncoordi-
nated gait
•Cold, pale nostrils and
hooves
It’s critical to return the
calves to their normal core
body temperature of 102°F.
There are several ways to do
this, such as placing them
under a heat lamp, warm
blankets, bringing them in-
doors, or giving them a warm
bath (warmed gradually), or
putting the calf into a warm-
ing box.
I personally find there to
be more practical methods
than, let's say, a warm water
bath. Let's face it, often times
there's a lot of moisture, snow
and mud. So, after a warm
water bath indoors, we have
to dry off calves completely
before returning them to the
cow. The practice can be labor
intensive.

BULL SALE
continued from page 19
osecurity reasons, it is also a
good time to let the bull accli-
mate to new feed and water,
he said.
Separating the new bull
from the others can be ben-
eficial not only from a health
standpoint but also from a
social standpoint, agreed the
experts.
When the new bull is intro-
duced, it is a smoother tran-
sition to add them to the pen
at feeding time, said Werk.
"If it’s a young bull in with
a handful of older bulls, the
fight for dominance is going
to end quickly,” he added.

K-State