He only called when there was trouble, and just as I had guessed, he had a heifer trying to calve out at pasture, and “Things just aren’t good, doc.” 

Across the Midwest, spring calving season is just around the corner. Sometimes grueling but often beloved and fulfilling, calving season is an incredibly important time of year for cow-calf producers.

You should never hesitate to contact your veterinarian if needed, but I am going to pass on some things I have learned to help you feel more comfortable with calving assistance.

Calving season is a critical time for commercial and seedstock beef cow-calf producers alike. To help them prepare, a variety of short- and long-term strategies and plans are devised, which may include specific management decisions plus the acquisition of tools, equipment and information-based resources.

Some calves are injured at birth by improper pulling methods, especially when using a mechanical calf puller.