In Canada, cold weather potentially spans five to six months. Generally, December, January and February are considered cold months, although winter weather can start in November and last through late March or early April. Successful management of calving in cold weather requires planning.
Consider the nutritional needs of bred heifers and cows before calving. Adequate body condition at the time of calving for young females and mature cows is important. Body condition scores influence stamina during delivery of the calf, colostrum quality, calf vigour and subsequent rebreeding.
Adequate nutrition during the last trimester of pregnancy and especially the last 50 to 60 days before calving is particularly important. Two-year-old heifers and three-year-old cows are most vulnerable. These young females are still growing themselves, plus being pregnant. As the fetus grows and takes up room, there’s less rumen capacity, and young females can’t eat as much feed. The effect this dichotomy presents is compounded in late pregnancy with cold weather and forage low in energy and protein. Body condition deteriorates rapidly under these conditions.
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Barry Yaremcio is a former beef and forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture, and is now a ruminant nutrition consultant based in Stettler, Alta. He has stressed the importance of adjusting rations to meet requirements in several interviews and articles. If there’s no wind chill, cattle can stay warm down to -20 C, as the heat from digestion keeps them warm, he says.
In colder weather, cows will need extra hay or silage, plus extra grain, says Yaremcio. Extra straw by itself doesn’t work, and animals will drop condition by eating only straw. Total protein content in the ration drops, and bacteria can’t digest the fibre. Feed intake may drop two to four pounds a day, Yaremcio says. When the mercury dips to -30 C, add an extra two pounds of grain per head per day over and above what was previously being fed at -20 C. If temperatures drop to -40 C, add an extra four pounds.
Thin animals get cold faster than those in good shape, as they lack the insulating layer of fat. The recommendation of four pounds of additional grain during the cold weather might have to be stepped up to six or seven pounds to maintain condition for thinner cows.
Producers should also consider protein content of rations. Without enough protein, microbial populations don’t reproduce efficiently, Yaremcio explains. This reduces feed intake and fibre digestion, and animals receive fewer nutrients overall. One way to gauge protein content of the ration is to look at the manure. Flat pats indicate adequate protein. Rougher, more pyramid-shaped pats point to a protein deficiency.
Remember that if the cow loses weight before calving, colostrum quantity — and possibly quality — will be compromised. She’ll produce less milk than a cow in good condition, too. Calves may be less healthy or vigorous. There may be more disease issues, growth rate of calves could drop and in the long term, cows that stay thin through lactation drop in reproductive efficiency by 20 to 30 per cent, says Yaremcio.
Calving preparation goes beyond planning for nutrition. Here are a few more points for your to-do list:
1. Review herd health plans with a veterinarian. Look at the entire production system, identifying critical control points where you can reduce risk and improve herd health. Vaccination protocols need to be a part of the plan.
2. Ensure calving facilities are in good condition and clean. Inspect gates, pens, alleys and head catches, fixing or replacing broken items. Good lighting is important.
3. Check calving supplies. Things such as plastic sleeves, obstetrical lubricants, obstetrical chains or straps, esophageal feeders and calf feeding bottles need to be clean and available. Test flashlights. Check halters, ropes and other tools that may be needed. Be sure the calf puller is clean and working properly and that there are people who know how to use it properly.
4. Review the stages of calving. Review how to correct abnormal presentations and assist the heifer or cow during calving. Know your limitations and when to call your veterinarian. Visit beefresearch.ca/topics/calving-calf-management for more information on when and how to intervene.
5. Have colostrum or colostrum replacement products on hand. About 85 per cent of calves dying from infectious disease have received inadequate colostrum. The calf’s ability to absorb immunoglobulin across the intestine decreases rapidly six to 12 hours after birth. If quality or quantity of the colostrum is a concern, other sources of colostrum or colostrum replacement products should be used. Your veterinarian can advise about which colostrum replacement products are best for your operation.
6. Have equipment to warm calves suffering from hypothermia. Calves born during cold, wet conditions quickly succumb to hypothermia. Simply ensuring a calf gets colostrum and drying a calf with warm towels is often sufficient.
7. Provide wind protection and a clean, dry environment. Wet, muddy conditions are stressful for both cows and calves and provide a place for pathogens to build to dangerous levels. A wind fence and bedding mean the animal needs less energy to keep warm. If possible, move thinner cows into shelters to protect them from the weather.
