Calving season brings the joy of newborns on the farm. Managing the health and development of these calves encompasses many different factors but one nutrient that is often overlooked, or taken for granted, is water. Whether you are running a cow-calf farm on pasture or are raising deacon calves, water plays an essential role in a calf’s development which in turn affects their overall health and wellbeing.

We often approach every calving season by addressing parts of the management or farm puzzle. And there is value in doing that.

Respiratory problems in cattle include diphtheria, the infection or inflammation of vocal folds of the larynx (voice box) at the back of the throat.

Spring calving in the Midwest has its fair share of unfortunate weather events. From the 2019 bomb cyclone to the 2021 polar vortex, cattle producers should not be surprised when the weather forecasts the worst.

In the depth of winter, most of us yearn for the warm, sunny days of spring and the nice green grass that follows. I suspect our cattle tend to enjoy that time of year better as well – but in the meantime, late-term pregnant cows have a major task ahead of them before this “greenup” occurs.

Winter is here, but it will not be long before the snow and ice melt away and pastures start to green up and become lush. Springtime can bring a host of challenges for beef cattle.

While we all hope that every dam will claim her calf and provide it with what it needs to thrive, the reality is that some will not.

Calving is just around the corner, so now is the time to make sure you have all the tools on hand for a successful calving season.