Care of the Newborn Calf

There have been many studies that have focused on the causes of calf mortality. There was a large scale survey done in the United States by the Veterinary Services as a part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System. The results showed that the period of highest calf loss is within several days after delivery, and the vast majority of losses occur during the first 3-4 weeks of life.

Body Condition Score

Over the last couple of weeks I have received a number of calls related to cow condition as we move into the last trimester of pregnancy. Given the cold weather that we experienced, it was difficult to maintain body condition on a straight forage diet.

Mineral Supplementation

As producers prepare for calving, they begin to concentrate on the importance of vitamins and minerals. The most critical period to ensure cattle have adequate amounts of mineral supplementation are 90 days prior to calving, as the majority of the fetal growth occurs during this period. Minerals and vitamins are important as they function to ensure that the enzyme and immune system are activated and efficient energy utilization and growth are achieved.