Calving season is one of the most critical and demanding times for any Texas rancher. A successful season sets the stage for the profitability and health of your herd for the entire year. While it can be an unpredictable period, thorough preparation and a solid management plan can significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes for both cows and their newborn calves.
Effective management during this period is about being proactive. By focusing on nutrition, creating a safe calving environment, and knowing when to intervene, you can navigate the challenges of the season. This guide offers practical calving season tips to help Texas ranchers ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
1. Prepare Your Calving Area
Before the first calf is due, you need to designate and prepare a specific calving area. This space should be clean, dry, and easily accessible.
- Choose a Clean Pasture: Select a clean, well-drained pasture that has been rested and is free of mud and manure buildup. A clean environment is your first line of defense against common newborn calf illnesses like scours.
- Provide Shelter and Windbreaks: While Texas winters can be mild, a cold, wet newborn calf is highly susceptible to hypothermia. Ensure your calving pasture has a windbreak or a simple, three-sided shed to offer protection from harsh wind and rain.
- Keep it Separate: If possible, keep first-calf heifers separate from the mature cow herd. They often require more frequent monitoring and are more likely to need assistance during labor.
2. Focus on Nutrition and Body Condition
The nutritional status of your cows directly impacts their health, calving ease, and the vigor of their calves.
- Maintain Body Condition: Cows should be in good body condition (a score of 5-6) heading into calving. Thin cows lack the energy for a difficult labor and may produce lower-quality colostrum.
- Provide Quality Forage: A cow’s energy needs increase dramatically after she gives birth and starts producing milk. Ensure she has access to high-quality hay or pasture to meet these demands.
- Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation: Work with your veterinarian to ensure your mineral program is adequate, paying special attention to selenium, copper, and vitamin E, which are vital for calf immunity and vigor.
3. Monitor and Know When to Intervene
Vigilance is key during calving season. Regular monitoring allows you to spot a cow in distress and intervene in a timely manner.
- Check on Cows Frequently: Check your herd, especially the first-calf heifers, several times a day. Look for signs of labor, such as restlessness, raising the tail, and isolating from the herd.
- Understand the Stages of Labor: Know what normal progress looks like. Once a cow’s water bag is visible, she should make significant progress within an hour or two. If she is straining with no progress, it is time to intervene or call for veterinary assistance.
- Care for the Newborn: Once the calf is born, ensure it is breathing properly and clear its nostrils of any fluid. Allow the mother to lick the calf dry. A healthy calf should be trying to stand within 30 minutes and should nurse within the first few hours to receive essential colostrum.
Your Partner for a Successful Calving Season
A successful calving season is the result of year-round management and careful preparation. By ensuring your cows are healthy and providing a safe environment, you can maximize the number of healthy calves on the ground.
For all your calving season needs, visit Steinhauser’s. With multiple locations around Houston, we are your headquarters for calving supplies, including high-quality feed, mineral supplements, and calf care products. Our team of experts understands Texas ranching and is ready to help you prepare for a successful season. Stop by Steinhauser’s in Houston today.