Preparation is the key to taking the stress out of calving season

PREPARATION is all important at calving time. Preparation, organisation, planning and good stockmanship are all key management skills needed in the busy weeks ahead. Being prepared and organised will reduce calf-mortality, save labour and cut down on stress on both man and animals. Remember, preparation goes a long way towards achieving any objective. So prepare now.

Facilities: It is recommended that there be one calving box per 10 cows. This is where the cow and calf only remain in the box for 1-2 days. If there is a tight calving spread you will need a higher ratio of calving boxes. The boxes should be at least 3.6m x 4.0m in area. However, temporary pens can be erected at 3.6m x 3.6m where a cow and calf have to be kept on their own for a few days. Make sure that separating bars and gates of pens are safely secured.

 Boxes should be thoroughly clean, power washed and disinfected with a strong disinfectant before use. Have plenty of straw in store before calving starts.

Check the availability of basic calving equipment. Things like long armed disposable gloves for handling cows, clean soft calving ropes, iodine or chlorohexidine solution to treat navels, a clean calving jack that is not worn or liable to slip, lubricant, electrolyte powders for scour treatment and a clean stomach tube plus plastic buckets with a teat. 

Having a few litres of frozen colostrum in the freezer is a good insurance policy for that weak calf or one that is slow to get to its feet. Three to four litres of colostrum in the first two hours of life is crucial for any calf.

If there are calving cameras present in your suckler unit, inspect cameras to ensure they are working. Clean lenses, inspect wiring, view screen and picture focus. Can the cameras be connected to your mobile phone? Use modern technology to make life easier at calving time.

Calving area needs to be well lit up. Inspect all lighting in the area. Clean covers and replace tubes on fluorescent lights, clean glass and replace bulbs on halogen lamps and floodlights where necessary. 

Have specialised tissue tags and applicator available for BVD testing. Arrange with an approved veterinary laboratory to test tissue samples and return results.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.