{"id":57125,"date":"2020-02-06T01:00:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T01:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/5-preparation-tips-for-calving-season\/"},"modified":"2023-11-06T13:22:03","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T18:22:03","slug":"5-preparation-tips-for-calving-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/en_na\/resource-center\/blog\/5-preparation-tips-for-calving-season\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Preparation Tips for Beef Calving Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calving season on a beef operation often involves late, cold nights and tracking down pregnant cows with a flashlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making sure you, your facilities and your team are adequately prepared for calving season is a must to ensure a smooth calving process and that your cows and heifers give birth to healthy calves. Beef producers need to get their records in order, make note of expected calving dates and get their labor arranged so team members know what they are doing and when they are doing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to preparing for calving season, there are three time frames that beef producers need to have in mind: 90 days prior, 30 days prior and two weeks prior to calving season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ninety Days Prior to Calving Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three months ahead of calving season is the time to ensure that cows\u2019 immune systems are prepared for the stress ahead of them. Planning ahead yields benefits to both the cow and newborn calf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 1: Review and Outline Cattle Vaccination Programs with a Veterinarian<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If vaccines are going to be administered to cows prior to calving season, those should be discussed 90 days prior to calving. Many vaccines require an initial vaccination and a revaccination separated by at least a couple weeks. The revaccination will need to take place anywhere from three to six weeks prior to the expected calving date. Getting started 90 days early will give beef producers plenty of time to administer both vaccinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 2: Make Sure Your Pregnant Cows and Heifers Are Receiving Trace Mineral Supplements<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beef cattle should be receiving performance trace minerals from\u00a0Zinpro\u00aeAvaila\u00ae\u00a04\u00a0<\/a>year-round and, ideally, there shouldn\u2019t be any reason for producers to make a change in this regard. If cows have not been receiving performance trace mineral supplementation, however, producers should start including Zinpro Availa\u00a04 in their beef cow nutrition program no later than 90 days prior to calving season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more: Importance of Supplementing Performance Trace Minerals Year-Round in Beef Nutrition<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirty Days Prior to Calving Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new calf crop is just around the corner and there will be calves on the ground within a couple of weeks. When the work begins, beef producers don\u2019t want to be trying to determine the identity of their cows to match them with records, and they definitely don\u2019t want to be hunting for the proper supplies. It\u2019s time to get the house in order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 3: Check Cattle Ear Tags or Brand<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure cows and heifers have good visual ID, whether it\u2019s an ear tag or a brand. Cross-check visual IDs with records and projected calving dates to make sure everything matches up and that a plan is in place for when cows and heifers need to be moved closer to the calving area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 4: Review Your Calving Supply Checklist and Supply Stock<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beef producers should check their supply stock about 30 days before they expect calving season to start, especially since it is not uncommon for heifers to calve one or two weeks ahead of their projected calving date. Making sure everything is accounted for ahead of time eliminates the need to scramble at the last minute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common\u00a0cattle\u00a0supplies<\/strong>\u00a0to have on-hand as calving season approaches include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n