Managing Heifers During and After Calving

Article: Burton Keakile

Heifers should be observed at least twice daily, more often if practical. Assistance can then be given early if needed. To be born alive, the calf must be delivered within approximately four hours after the appearance of the water bag. Early assistance can avoid deaths, calving paralysis and uterine prolapse in heifers.

Heifers should be kept close to cattle yards during calving, so that early assistance may be given if needed. The labor required for supervision can be kept to a minimum if the heifers are joined to calve over a short period (6 to 8 weeks). Keeping the heifers in a small paddock close to the house during calving can also reduce the time required for frequent observation.

A heifer that has ceased straining and appears weak or exhausted should be assisted immediately. If the heifer is straining vigorously, and the birth appears to be progressing normally, the heifer should be left alone for approximately one hour. If there has been no real progress after the hour has elapsed, assistance may be required. Once they have calved successfully young cows are required to produce a good supply of milk and become pregnant again soon after. To achieve this they must be well fed from calving until the end of mating.

For good fertility and milk production, first calves in particular must be well fed after calving. Simply providing an abundance of good quality pasture may be adequate in some years. Some producers draft off freshly calved young cows each week. Young cows calving in autumn usually require a high-quality supplement after calving. Early or mid-season cut clover hay, early cut oaten hay and Lucerne hay are suitable, but hay of lower quality is of little use. If good quality hay is not available, cereal grains or pellets may have to be fed. FMB