Calving in the heat

Awnry Abe · #1 07/20/12, 06:55 AM

100+ temps and the third one born this month. I hope the little buggers can make it.

PaulNKS · #2 07/20/12, 07:51 AM

As long as the cow is okay, the calves will be fine.

WJMartin · #3 07/20/12, 08:39 AM

I'm expecting two calves, one anytime and the other within two weeks. This morning I installed a mister overhead in the trees close to the water tank. Hoping it helps make a cool spot for them in this heat.
Last year this same cow calved on July 31st, the biggest problem I had was the silly bull calf would lay out in the sun and I would have to move him to the shade, guess I'll probably be doing the same thing this year but hoping for heifers.

G. Seddon · #4 07/20/12, 09:28 AM

Do the best you can this year. But I would advise breeding them to calve at a time when it's not extremely hot or bitter cold.

Awnry Abe · #5 07/20/12, 09:53 AM

I think they will be fine, too. I just feel like a test pilot watching his guages in the red with the engineer on the ground saying 'Don't worry, it was made for that'.

I do think I might move them off of the current paddock a little early. They are on the best grass I have left, but the water is a blue 2-hole waterer. My favorite place to move them in the extreme heat, which we are supposed to have for 10 more days, has excellent shade in low-lying areas, plus I can open the gate to the 5 acre lake and let them cool off without contending for the drinking fountain. The grass there is ok, but not as nice as where they are now. Hmmm. Thinking while typing...I have a stand of grass that I think might be Johnston grass on the back of the pond dam. I usually don't worry about it because I don't normally let them on the lake. But they would surely get into it if I let them in there...

Sherry in Iowa · #6 07/21/12, 07:35 PM

Hope the calves don't get "in over their heads".

wigg · #7 07/25/12, 09:57 PM

This thread looks like the appropriate place to ask when to wean a calf to help the cow maintain, and feed the calf more efficiently during the drought? I've read on this site where it is advisable to wean a calf early rather than have the cow nurse throughout the winter months so I'm thinking the same would apply now that we are in a drought with a shortage of forage.
Thanks,

PaulNKS · #8 07/25/12, 10:01 PM

I never pull a calf off the cow until it weighs enough to wean. Then he goes to the sale barn.

Both the cow and calf will be fine as long as they have plenty water, hay/grass/feed (your preference), and shade.

G. Seddon · #9 07/26/12, 06:39 AM

I'm not sure why anyone would think it inadvisable to have cows nurse their calves through the winter -- just think of all the calves born in the fall! Personally, I think calves belong with their mothers for at least 6 months; not only do they obtain the best nutrition possible, but they learn how to be a member of the herd.

Your decision will be based on a number of factors -- your herd size, the breed, forage, supplementation, and drought conditions.

Here's just one of many articles on weaning early; you can find lots more through Google:

Early weaning consideration

Awnry Abe · #10 07/26/12, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

I'm not sure why anyone would think it inadvisable to have cows nurse their calves through the winter -- just think of all the calves born in the fall! Personally, I think calves belong with their mothers for at least 6 months; not only do they obtain the best nutrition possible, but they learn how to be a member of the herd.

Your decision will be based on a number of factors -- your herd size, the breed, forage, supplementation, and drought conditions.

Here's just one of many articles on weaning early; you can find lots more through Google:

Early weaning consideration

Thanks for the link. I agree about winter weaning. It would not make any sense for a fall calf at all. The thinking may be along the line of a May/June calf that is borderline heading into winter, and the forknowledge of less forage moves one to wean a calf early to give the cow a chance to maintain on less and be ready for re-breeding as early as possible in the ensuing spring. I wouldn't do it just because of SOP. I suppose it would improve the chances of moving that cow to the left. Just speculating here...