For most cow-calf producers, fall typically means weaning the calf crop. Yet for many producers, it also means fall calving. According to the USDA-NASS Cattle Inventory report, approximately 27% of calves were born during the second half of 2019.

There are problems lurking in every cattle-handling system that can create a headache on your operation – or totally ruin your system. Luckily, there are some simple fixes that can solve any problems you might find in your cattle-handling system. Whether you are investing in a new system or trying to improve your current one, spend a little time making sure it works for you by avoiding or fixing these common pitfalls.

How can a veterinarian best help a beef producer prepare for a successful calving season? Is it by prescribing a secret recipe of shots that will prevent all retained placentas, navel infections, scours, political ads, bad weather and taxes? If only that would work.

It doesn’t seem like it’s that time, yet here we are in the new year and the freshness of new birth as calving time is around the corner.