Calving Time

Dr. Bob Coley

Coley Veterinary Services

It is CALVING Time in Tennessee!!!!

Reproduction is the Most Economically Important Trait in Beef Cattle!

The sorriest calf you ever sell is worth more than your best stillbirth!

Reproduction is estimated to be worth 10 times more than growth traits and 20 times more than carcass traits

Reproductive Goals for the Beef Herd

90 to 95% in heat the first 21 days of the breeding season

70 to 80 percent conceive on first breeding

Less than 5% difficult calvings 90% of cows bred wean a calf

Breed Heifers to Calve Earlier than the Cow Herd

Allows better calving supervision

Allows more time for them to start cycling and get bred back

Breed Heifers to Calve at 24 Months of Age

Have heifers at 2/3 of mature body weight before breeding at 15 months of age

This requires that she gain about 1 and ½ pounds per day up to breeding

Weight gain should continue so that they calve in moderate body condition

Have heifers pregnancy checked and cull the extras

Replacement Heifer Selection

Older, larger, structurally correct and from above average parents

Reproductive tract scores Scrotal circumference in sires Calving problems Pelvic area Breed of bull

Measuring Pelvic Area to Prevent Difficult Births

Measuring the width and height of the birth canal

May help to find the extremely small ones, but is not as helpful as using calving ease bulls

Calving Difficulties

Lighter calves are born easier than heavier ones and bigger heifers calve more easily than smaller ones

Generally, using genetically low birth weight sires is the easiest way to prevent calving difficulties

Research has not shown shape of calf to predict calving problems

Breed of Bull

There is more variation between bulls than between breeds

However, low birth weight English breeds may have an advantage over Continental breeds for use on heifers

Calving Problems

14

3 stages of parturition

Preparatory

Fetal Expulsion

Expulsion of placenta or afterbirth

15

Preparatory Stage (2-6 hours)

Calf rotates to upright position

Uterine contractions begin

Water sac expelled

16

Delivery (1 hour or less)

Cow usually lying down

Fetus enters birth canal

Front feet and head protrude first

Calf delivery completed

17

Cleaning (2-8 hours)

Caruncle-cotyledon (button) attachments relax

Uterine contractions expel membranes

How Long Do I Wait?

Normal Presentation

One Hour

21

Parturition

22

Steps in calving assistance

3. Examine size of the calf relative to the birth canal. If too big can paralyze cow If determined early, a successful C-

section can be done

4. Attach obstetrical chains to the front legs Loop of each chain around each leg Slide chain up on the cannon bone 2-3

inches above the ankle joints and dew claws

Ensure chain pulls from bottom of the leg (dew claw side)

Use Proper Technique

24

Proper placement of OB chains

25

Proper use of OB chains

26

Proper use of OB chains

Backwards

One Leg Back

Two Legs Back

Head Back

Breech

32

Improper use of force!

33

Starting the calf

34

Starting the calf

Clear the airways and clean mucus from mouth area

Stimulate the calf by rubbing vigorously

If necessary give artificial respiration

“I’ve Got A Problem!”

Prolapse

The Reproductive System of The Cow

The vagina The cervixThe uterus

Types of Prolapses

Vagina Cervix Uterus Rectum

Vagina and Cervix

Uterus

Retained Placenta

Nursing Calf Management

Colostrum = Key to Calf Health

Colostrum Management

Colostrum – first milk

Contains antibodies (which fight disease) that are absorbed through the small intestine of the calf.

Early consumption = BETTER

6 hours of life = 50% absorption

12 hours of life = 33% absorption

24 hours of life = 0% absorption

Goal for Colostrum

2 quarts consumed in the first two hours of life

4 quarts before 12 hours High quality

Colostrum Quality Influenced by

Nutrition Poor hay Minerals

Internal and external parasites Heat stress BCS Vaccinations Age of Cow

Cow Colostrum = Better than Heifers

More disease exposure More antibodies

Colostrum has long term impacts on production.

Less sickness Less deaths Higher ADG

Nursing Calves

A number of procedures will help assure the newborn calf gets off to a healthy start. Examine for problems Dip navel, weigh Castrate, implant Identify with tag, tattoo, etc. Record

Calf Scours

Calf Diarrhea

Causes:RotavirusCoronavirusE.coliSalmonellaClostridium

perfringesCryptospordia

Calf Diarrhea

LossesDeaths ( 50% in severe outbreaks)

Weight (35 lbs. Less at weaning)

Treatment costs

CLINICAL SIGNS

Mild Cases:loose stool or diarrhea

Severe cases:profuse diarrhea (watery)depressionsunken eyesweaknesscomadeath

Calf Diarrhea Prevention

Sanitation Clean pastures are best

Well drained and dry Protection from wind and elements

Reduce stress on cows and calves Assist with calving as needed Keep animals clean and dry Cows BCS 6-7

Make sure calves nurse ASAP 4-6 quarts of colostrum in 1st 24 hours

Vaccinate the cow prior to calving Disease protection thru colostrum Oral vaccines to newborns

Treatment

Oral fluids (electrolytes) IV fluids Anti-diarrhea Antibiotics probiotics

INFECTION

(Viruses and

Bacteria)+

STRESS

(Environmental and Management) = BRD

Bovine Respiratory Disease

Calf Pneumonia

31% OF ALL CATTLE DEATHS88% OF DEATHS IN S.E. BEEF

CALVES$624 MILLION IN LOSSES

DEATHS MEDICAL TREATMENTS LABOR DECREASED ANIMAL

PERFORMANCE

Calf Pneumonia

Agent – bacteria and viruses Transmission – aerosol spread Signs

Depression, respiratory distress, cough, fever, death

Treatment Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs

Prevention Minimize stress, vaccination

“Never Waste a Dead Calf”

Pneumonia

Pictures needed

Decision to Treat

Deviations from normal behavior

Not eating, staying in one place too long

Cough, nasal discharge

Vaccinations for Nursing Calves

There are vaccines available for new-born calves, that may be useful in some situations.

Discuss vaccinating very young calves with a veterinarian.

Preweaning Approximately one

month prior to weaning, calves should have a preweaning treatment. This includes: Vaccinations Parasite control Castration, dehorning Growth implant Bunk training

Weaning Weaning calves is stressful.

Attempt to minimize the event by: Moving cows out, leaving calves in

a familiar environment. Having adequate water and hay

available. Placing feed and water along

fences – as calves pace the fence, they will discover them more easily

Weaning Booster vacc. calves

that received pre-weaning treatment.

Calves not treated preweaning should be treated as per preweaning treatments.

Preweaned, Weaning, and Weaned Calves

Too many TN calves are weaned and sold “fresh-off-the-cow”, resulting in: Highly-stressed calves Calves more likely to become

diseased This results in TN producers

receiving less money for their calves.