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Calving

Dystocia, C-sections, dead calves, artificially induced labour and even vitamin and mineral deficiencies all increase the risk of retained placentas.
Calving, Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Dealing with retained placentas in beef cows

Strive to prevent retained placentas as much as possible, says a large animal vet

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Spring calving preparations normally include gathering tools, repairing equipment and gates, and buying medications, hygienic and other treatment supplies. Once those items are checked off the list, most farmers and ranchers feel ready for the calving rush. Fortunately, most deliveries proceed normally but occasionally complications such as retained placentas occur, which demand additional preparations. Labour […] Read more
A cow nuzzles her newborn calf. Anything from computer vision testing to a back-protecting belt may ease producers’ calving season troubles.
Calving, Features

New calving tech and farmer-based innovations

Whether it’s artificial intelligence or a simple piece of equipment, there are several innovations that can help cut losses and make calving season easier

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According to the 2017 Western Canadian Cow-Calf Survey completed by the University of Saskatchewan, 3.1 per cent of the overall 5.4 per cent calf death loss total occurred at birth or within 24 hours.  To help reduce these numbers, calving management and practices are constantly adapting with technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet […] Read more
Jim had prepared a calving pasture with access to sheltered corrals with plenty of bedding.
Calving, Features

Cold stress in newborn calves

Veterinary Case Study: Although Jim had prepared a warm calving shelter, he hadn’t counted on a cold snap that threatened his newborn calves

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Jim came to the office to talk about the 20 Angus-cross heifers he bought last month, bred to calve in February, a month before his cows. The heifers were in great condition and Jim had a clean, warm, well-bedded shed to protect heifers ready to calve. He could watch new mothers for a few days […] Read more
The 200th calf born on the Ramsey ranch in January 2021.
Calving, Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Withstanding extreme cold while winter calving

While many producers prefer spring calving, Matthew Ramsey shifted his calving season to January to avoid Manitoba’s wet April weather

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Matthew Ramsey would much rather calve in January than in April. At least in January, he says, you know what you’re getting into. “We got to the point where April sucked every year,” he says.  “Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we weren’t happy with April, we’re either going to go earlier or later […] Read more
A newborn calf rests in a bed of straw.
Calving, Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Contracted and lax tendons in newborn calves

A look at the potential causes and treatments of limb problems in new calves

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Thankfully, most calves are born unassisted, out of sight and out of mind. They nurse independently and quickly take their position as one of many productive herd members. But sometimes things don’t go as hoped, and the occasional calf is born with leg issues — namely contracted or lax tendons. Contracted tendons exhibit as “knuckling […] Read more
A calf wades through mud as Manitoba faces heavy rain.
Beef Cattle, Calving, Cow-Calf, Livestock, News, News Roundup

Colorado lows hammer Manitoba producers through calving season

While some cow-calf producers may make changes to their calving seasons, others plan to stay the course and hope for no repeats of this spring's weather

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When Theresa Zuk, a rancher based out of Arborg, Man., heard about the first Colorado low that swept through the province in the middle of April at the start of their calving season, she was nervous but knew they could handle it. The storm brought 29 centimetres of snow to Winnipeg, strong winds, and freezing […] Read more
A still from a Beef Cattle Research Council video on managing colostrum.
Beef Cattle, Calving, Cow-Calf, News Roundup, Scours

Calf 911: Managing colostrum so newborn calves thrive

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 Ensuring newborn calves consume colostrum is one of the most important management strategies cow-calf operations can implement to promote healthy calves. Colostrum provides essential antibodies (such as immunoglobulin G or IgG) to a calf with virtually no immune system. Colostrum also contains fats, vitamins, proteins and other immune cells essential to provide the calf energy, […] Read more
The Wrights’ calving camera, installed in one of their barns. Because the cameras are connected to Wi-Fi, Jim Wright is able to monitor the cows with his cellphone at work and rush home if needed.
Beef Cattle, Calving, Features, Livestock

The ins and outs of calving cameras

For producers whose herds calve in the winter, cameras offer several benefits, ranging from fewer trips outside to allowing producers to work off-farm during calving

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Using cameras to monitor cows during winter calving saves time and labour, and also saves ranchers trips outside during cold weather. Three ranchers from northwestern Saskatchewan share their experiences with and tips for using calving cameras. Nesset Lake Angus Julie and Ivan Demmans of Nesset Lake Angus have 170 registered Black Angus cows and 100 […] Read more

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