Dakota Farmer

Take proper actions and have right supplies to aid calving in cold conditions.

Kevin Schulz, Editor

February 11, 2021

2 Min Read
Newborn calf
TOASTY WARM: A newborn calf is cozy in a bed of fresh straw as its mom gives it one last lick. Keeping cow and calf warm is important to calf survival.Martin Belli/ Getty Images

During cold, wet calving months, the key is to keep ranchers and animals dry and warm, says Lindsay Waechter-Mead, a clinical practice veterinarian at the University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center.

Before heading to the barn, she says farmers should consider strapping on a headlamp (small light attached to a band) to allow hands-free lighting of the work area. She also recommends a pair of waterproof bibs. With cattle ranchers dry and warm, it is time to turn the focus on the comfort level of the cows and calves.

Related: What’s in your beef calving toolbox?

With many calves being born in cooler environments, she says it is imperative that the little ones be warmed, which can be achieved with a commercial calf-warming hut. If no warming hut is available, Waechter-Mead says a calf can be placed on floor mats of the farm pickup with the floor heat turned on. Also, an effective method is to submerge the calf in a tub of warm water, keeping the calf’s head above the water.

Regardless of which method is used, keep an eye on the calf so it does not overheat. “You need to make sure you have that thermometer out there and check often,” she says. “Usually by the time that calf gets to about 99 degrees [F], it’s going to be able to self-temperature-regulate outside of this heat source.”

Once the calf is removed from a warming hut, Waechter-Mead stresses the importance of keeping the unit clean. However, despite even the warmest calving conditions, there may be a time when medical intervention is necessary to save a calf.

Related: 3 tools needed to help both calf, cow

Before the calving season starts, take inventory of your medication. Check the expiration dates. Any outdated medicine should be discarded and replaced. Make sure they have been stored properly.

Also, medications should only be administered under advisement from your herd veterinarian.

Keep a thermometer in the to check a calf’s temperature. Also pack 18- and 16-gauge needles, 6 cc and 12 cc disposable syringes, stainless steel bucket, tags and tagger, and calving record book.

Access to a clean calf jack can also pay dividends for a rancher, with the caveat of knowing how to use it, when to use it and when to stop using it. “Don’t be afraid to call for help,” she says.

 

About the Author(s)

Kevin Schulz

Editor, The Farmer

Kevin Schulz joined The Farmer as editor in January of 2023, after spending two years as senior staff writer for Dakota Farmer and Nebraska Farmer magazines. Prior to joining these two magazines, he spent six years in a similar capacity with National Hog Farmer. Prior to joining National Hog Farmer, Schulz spent a long career as the editor of The Land magazine, an agricultural-rural life publication based in Mankato, Minn.

During his tenure at The Land, the publication grew from covering 55 Minnesota counties to encompassing the entire state, as well as 30 counties in northern Iowa. Covering all facets of Minnesota and Iowa agriculture, Schulz was able to stay close to his roots as a southern Minnesota farm boy raised on a corn, soybean and hog finishing farm.

One particular area where he stayed close to his roots is working with the FFA organization.

Covering the FFA programs stayed near and dear to his heart, and he has been recognized for such coverage over the years. He has received the Minnesota FFA Communicator of the Year award, was honored with the Minnesota Honorary FFA Degree in 2014 and inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame in 2018.

Schulz attended South Dakota State University, majoring in agricultural journalism. He was also a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and now belongs to its alumni organization.

His family continues to live on a southern Minnesota farm near where he grew up. He and his wife, Carol, have raised two daughters: Kristi, a 2014 University of Minnesota graduate who is married to Eric Van Otterloo and teaches at Mankato (Minn.) East High School, and Haley, a 2018 graduate of University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She is married to John Peake and teaches in Hayward, Wis. 

When not covering the agriculture industry on behalf of The Farmer's readers, Schulz enjoys spending time traveling with family, making it a quest to reach all 50 states — 47 so far — and three countries. He also enjoys reading, music, photography, playing basketball, and enjoying nature and campfires with friends and family.

[email protected]

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