Prepare now for the upcoming weather
Frigid temperatures lurk right around the corner. Producers managing cattle that calve in the winter months will want to take extra precautions to ensure newborn calves get off to a healthy start. According to veterinarians and livestock extension specialists, calves born in below freezing temperatures may face health risks.
Thermoneutral Zone
There are many factors that can impact how well a calve born in freezing conditions thrives. Newborn calves have a lower capacity to handle the cold the first few weeks of their lives.
“A calf’s thermoneutral zone (where they don’t expend energy keeping warm or cool) in its first three weeks of life is 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. After three weeks of age, the lower end drops to 41 degrees Fahrenheit,” Dr. Scott Poock, DVM, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian, explained. “So, if a producer is calving in colder weather, it is advisable to provide additional shelter for the calves.”
A variety of plans are readily available for producers wanting to build small, movable hutches for calves to seek shelter and warmth. The hutches are designed to let calves in but keep cows out. Producers can provide warm bedding in the calf shelters and move them when they become soiled and/or wet.
Winter Calving Conditions
Cattle calving in the winter need dry calving areas with wind protection. Dry areas, safe from the wind help the cow and calf make it through colder days and nights. However, there is a time when producers may want to act to add even more protection from the elements for the calf.
“Any conditions where the effective temperature drops below freezing, I would move cows that are calving to a shelter or increase observations,” Poock said. “If need be, we will take a cold calf inside (house) or to a calf warmer to get it warmed. This is not only important to the general state of the calf, but it will increase the absorption of the antibodies in colostrum.”
Mature Cow vs. First-Calf Heifer
Older cows possess experience over first-calf heifers in calving situations. The experience of older cows typically translates into the ability to get up quickly after calving to clean and dry off their calf as well as get it nursing right away. Therefore, producers may want to consider prioritizing providing additional windbreaks, bedded areas, and shelters for first-calf heifers over their older counterparts.
Increase Observation
During cold spells it’s important for producers to increase their observation of the cow/calf pairs. “Once the calf is several days old and the cow has brought it back with the herd, I expect to see it bright and nursing,” Poock stated. “Making sure the cow “mothers up” with the calf helps assure that they are doing well. For example, when making the first morning observations, where you are “waking” the calves up, they should quickly find their mothers and bond/nurse.”
Producers will want to step up their observations or action plans when there are freezing temperatures and/or other unfavorable weather conditions. Cold temperatures coupled with wind chill, rain or wet snow can make it more difficult for a calf to survive. When these conditions occur, the biggest concern is about first-calf heifers and their ability to protect their newborn calf.
Genetic Viability
Veterinarians encourage producers to select herd sires that will produce vigorous calves. Additionally, choosing genetics that will likely produce a good size calf can be important. Extremely small calves fail to possess enough body mass to handle cold temperatures.
