What do I need in my calving kit?

[Genevieve M.]

In December, I bought a 1 year old Jersey bred to an Devon bull. She had no problems calving last year, but her calf died of pneumonia, and she was too thin and deficient in Minerals.

The people I bought her from, dried her off, and got her started gaining weight before I got her.

She is on pasture, and I've been feeding her free choice grass hay in addition to alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp, black oil sunflower seeds, and loose minerals with kelp.

I did not worm her, although I do have Cydectin for our goats because I wasn't sure when it was safe to do. Should I copper bolus her in addition to giving her minerals with copper?

Her new hair is growing in dark and shiny, and every day, she has less if the wiry orange hair, she is also putting on weight, but not getting fat.

She is due the end of July or beginning of August. I'm not sure exactly what I need to have on hand in case there is an emergency during or after calving.

I'm also worried about milk fever, but my vet said that the alfalfa I'm feeding her is the best protection I can give her. I know I've read books that say to limit calcium during the last stages of pregnancy, but I'm not sure that is the best thing to do.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.

[Karin L]

Sounds like you're doing all right. You could worm her, just to be sure with Ivermectin (not sure if Cydectin is good for cattle as well--best to check the label to make sure). You don't need to give her an extra copper bolus because it sounds like she's getting all the copper she needs.

What you need on hand is calving chains and your vet's phone number on speed dial, incase anything goes wrong. I know some dairy folks have said to limit her calcium intake three weeks prior to her calving due date so that she is able to be less dependent on the calcium coming from her feed than from in her bones. Still keep up with the high quality feed though, to have a healthy calf born.