Calving Difficulties

A few local cattle producers have been complaining about having calving difficulties in their first calf heifers. They selected bulls with low birth weights and proven calving ease but are still having to assist heifers when they calve every once in awhile. According to Warren Rusche, a cow/calf field specialist,calving difficulty in first calf heifers can cause conception rates for the next breeding season to go down 16% from 85% for heifers that calved unassisted to 69% for heifers that had calving difficulties. Some of the producers believe the cold weather has contributed to larger birth weights which has resulted in larger calves and more difficulty when the heifers calve. Other producers believe it has something to do with the feed the heifers were being fed that caused the calf to get too big before they started calving. Producers realize these heifers are too expensive to be having calving difficulties which can usually result in death loss for the calf and permanent damage to the reproductive track of the heifer so if you are having the same troubles with your heifers here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. If the heifer appears to be having trouble don't let her go very long before taking action
2. Make sure you are prepared to assist the heifer with the proper equipment in place
3. Sanitize all your equipment to keep from infecting the heifer
4. Your facilities should be up to date to make the process as easy as possible
5. Call someone to help you; An extra pair of hands can be helpful