Novice Suckler Cow Calving Advice

[DrWazzock]

The cows look they are starting to bag up. They seem to be in about the right body condition score now on silage.

I have various experienced neighbours who can help me. I have prepared a pen at the side of the main enclosure.

I am concerned that some of the bigger dominant cows tend to ram the smaller ones about. Do I need to separate the smaller ones out. The bull is also still in there. Do I need to take him out. He never bothers me when I am in there but will be become a nuisance? Any tips on ear tags and castration rings?

Is it like lambing ( of which we have much experience) or are there differences? Do we need to iodine the calves navels and when is the first vaccination needed?

any advice appreciated.

 

[Henarar]

may be an idea to take the bull out some take no notice but some do

 

[GTB]

Is it like lambing

Exactly the same but on a bigger scale. Put plenty of iodine on the navels. We don't vaccinate our calves at all. Tag, disbud and castrate asap after birth (preferably after the calf has suckled) or when the cow allows access.

 

[DrWazzock]

may be an idea to take the bull out some take no notice but some do

Right. I'll take him out with some of the ones I know are later calving to keep him company. that'll take the pressure off the main pen.

 

[GTB]

may be an idea to take the bull out some take no notice but some do

Yes a bit of blood might upset him.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Plenty of Straw

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Get yourself a calving jack just in case...a vink

 

[Forever Fendt]

Exactly the same but on a bigger scale. Put plenty of iodine on the navels. We don't vaccinate our calves at all. Tag, disbud and castrate asap after birth (preferably after the calf has suckled) or when the cow allows access.

same situation here as o/p a lot of people i see don't bother with the iodine on calves i always do with the lambs the odd one i have missed always seem to get joint ill, my cows are due end march onwards they are still out on add lib hay they are still as fat as hell do they want pulling back ?

 

[GTB]

are still as fat as hell do they want pulling back ?

You want them quite lean before calving or you'll be pulling / losing too many. Maybe give them straw only?

 

[DrWazzock]

same situation here as o/p a lot of people i see don't bother with the iodine on calves i always do with the lambs the odd one i have missed always seem to get joint ill, my cows are due end march onwards they are still out on add lib hay they are still as fat as hell do they want pulling back ?

If it's any reassurance I have found that mine have burned up more body fat now we are into the last month or so. Keep them on lean ration though. I would worry that straw alone might leave them without enough milk. Ration the hay a bit? let them clean up.

 

[Forever Fendt]

You want them quite lean before calving or you'll be pulling / losing too many. Maybe give them straw only?

i put my hand on them at the feeder on the back asa you would a ewe and no bone to feel anywhere and knobs of fat each side the tail on there arse would you start with some barley straw now or let them winter a bit more before pulling them back a bit the calves are still out with them not seen any sucking latley if i can get them up here is a picture of them a bit ago but still as fat

 

[Northeastfarmer]

i put my hand on them at the feeder on the back asa you would a ewe and no bone to feel anywhere and knobs of fat each side the tail on there arse would you start with some barley straw now or let them winter a bit more before pulling them back a bit the calves are still out with them not seen any sucking latley if i can get them up here is a picture of them a bit ago but still as fatView attachment 257528

Typical Hereford

 

[GTB]

i put my hand on them at the feeder on the back asa you would a ewe and no bone to feel anywhere and knobs of fat each side the tail on there arse would you start with some barley straw now or let them winter a bit more before pulling them back a bit the calves are still out with them not seen any sucking latley if i can get them up here is a picture of them a bit ago but still as fatView attachment 257528

If the calves have weaned themselves maybe bring calves indoors and leave cows outside on straw only. If the calves are still suckling leave them on as long as possible to pull the cows down. The cow in the pic is too fat for an easy calving IMHO.

 

[bovine]

I hope you've given the cows some Rotavec - can be a literal lifesaver.

Have you ordered tags? If not I'd strongly encourage you to get the BVD tag and test ones.

If castrating then rubber ring is least stressful. Debud early.

Dip navel if you can - there is no evidence it does any good.....

 

[gone up the hill]

i put my hand on them at the feeder on the back asa you would a ewe and no bone to feel anywhere and knobs of fat each side the tail on there arse would you start with some barley straw now or let them winter a bit more before pulling them back a bit the calves are still out with them not seen any sucking latley if i can get them up here is a picture of them a bit ago but still as fatView attachment 257528

She is too fat by miles,

Give them 50 silage/50% straw ration from now on!

Ref indoors, do the navels with iodine as soon as they are born, don't worry about tagging them for a few days and don't castrate them for at least 24/ 48 hrs, dehorning will be at least a month away!

Personally I would keep them as bulls and get them away by 16 months!

 

[Forever Fendt]

I hope you've given the cows some Rotavec - can be a literal lifesaver.

Have you ordered tags? If not I'd strongly encourage you to get the BVD tag and test ones.

If castrating then rubber ring is least stressful. Debud early.

Dip navel if you can - there is no evidence it does any good.....

no rotavec what does that cover ,will be putting iodine on as soon as posable as soon as the shed is ready i will bring the cows in and try to pull them back a bit but do worry if i will end up short of milk and poor calostrum

 

[czechmate]

My advice would be to watch the bloody cows after giving birth. They can completely change personality. Can't recal what breed you have but Iguess they can all turn maternal (eap limmies). No matter how soft they are normally, I don't trust a single one of them après calving

 

[DrWazzock]

She is too fat by miles,

Give them 50 silage/50% straw ration from now on!

Ref indoors, do the navels with iodine as soon as they are born, don't worry about tagging them for a few days and don't castrate them for at least 24/ 48 hrs, dehorning will be at least a month away!

Personally I would keep them as bulls and get them away by 16 months!

Mine are mostly all too fat then. I had wondered about leaving them entire and getting them away by 16 months.

 

[bovine]

RDP drives colostrum. Straw+soya+minerals works. Some people go for straw and some cake. Straw on its own is a disaster.

Rotavec prevents scour in calves. 3 weeks to 3 months before calving.

 

[GTB]

Mine are mostly all too fat then. I had wondered about leaving them entire and getting them away by 16 months.

What breeds?