Reading Time: 3 minutes Numerous articles have been written over the years on how and when to intervene at calving, how to recognize malpresentations, and what to do about them. Producers now see fewer and fewer calving-related problems as our breeding has improved and we select for easy-calving heifers with larger pelvises and moderate birth weight bulls. Ensuring cattle […] Read more
Calving problems are becoming rare, but be prepared to act
Beef 911: The first key step is to note when the birth process starts and investigate if too much time passes
New cattle herd for Lakeland College
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lakeland College has developed a new livestock research team, which will manage Lakeland’s livestock research projects, as well as a new herd of 50 cattle for research projects and demonstrations. “Since we already demonstrate a purebred beef herd and an intensively managed beef herd, we thought it was a good opportunity to run a group […] Read more
When the need arises, fetotomy is the best solution
The goal is always to protect the cow from further trauma and hopefully give her many more productive years
Reading Time: 4 minutes Fetotomy — a veterinarian’s fancy word for cutting up a dead calf within the cow during the birthing process — still has a valuable place in a competent veterinarian’s bag of tricks. The whole object with a fetotomy is to minimize trauma or damage to the cow. The calf at this point is a lost […] Read more
Calving problems are decreasing
Vets aren’t called out during calving as often as they used to be, but producers need to know when to call for backup
Reading Time: 4 minutes With genetic selection of lower birth weights and easy calving bulls, calving problems due to fetal oversize are becoming rarer and rarer. But there are still common problems, which are worth reviewing to help producers recognize and assist these deliveries to save more calves as calving season is upon us. Fetal malpresentations today are the […] Read more
Tips for winter calving
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is reminding producers of good practices for winter calving. Shelter from the wind is the most important step, said beef production specialist Karin Schmid. “Bedding is also super important. If you have a good bedding pack it can really help keep the calf’s temperature up, and that way they’ll nurse faster and […] Read more
Calf management survey links long calving season and calf mortality
A recent calf management study has shown links between increased calf mortality risk and the length of the calving season, timing of calving, and colostrum intake
Reading Time: 3 minutes Beef cattle producers with long calving seasons could see an increased risk of calf mortality, according to a recent study from the University of Calgary. “We looked at the correlation between the length of the calving season and mortality, and for every extra day, the mortality between a week of age and weaning went up […] Read more
A full breech birth is a dangerous situation
Beef 911: Cows with a history of twins more likely to have a full breech birth
Reading Time: 3 minutes In the true breech, the calf presented tail first with both back legs pointing forward under the body of the calf. A lot of producers refer to a straight backwards calf as a breech, but that is a misnomer. The true full breech has both back legs forwards so the first thing you feel when […] Read more
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