The first 24 to 48 hours of a calf’s life can spell the difference between a calf that thrives and grows with minimal intervention on our part and a calf that always seems to be behind the eight ball, lagging behind its herdmates and requiring more care and treatment to keep it going.

Hypothermia – lower than normal body temperature – is one of the major causes of death in newborn calves. Warmth and colostrum are the two most important factors in calf survival.

As calving season progresses, we hear of miracle remedies that will get an unthrifty calf up to snuff in no time. Whether oral or injectable, it’s good to understand what the active ingredient in the “cocktail” is that may – or may not – give the calf a boost.

How often has the calving book been lost or accidentally destroyed by the calf being warmed in the feeding pickup? Or when has information failed to be recorded toward the end of the calving season because our attention turns to other matters that time of year?

Embarking on the spring calving season is a pivotal moment for producers, offering a firsthand glimpse into the results of strategic decisions made during sire selection.

Ranchers have so much invested in the genetics and in the long process of getting that live calf on the ground that we want to do everything we can to protect that investment. Let’s look at how to give our young calves the best possible start.

A well-prepared calving area with proper equipment that emphasizes safety and accessibility, ensuring proper cattle nutrition and having a solid emergency plan with detailed records to fall back on will serve you well.

Bottle teats can be more than just an inconvenience during calving; they can play a major role in the economic efficiency of that cow.

To work safely around cattle, handlers must understand how to read their behavior and take advantage of natural behaviors.