Spring may feel far away, or maybe not this year in our part of the country, but on a ranch, preparations for calving begin weeks in advance. Calving season is when cows give birth, and it’s one of the most important—and closely watched—times of the year.  Good preparation can mean healthier calves, less stress on cows, and fewer emergencies.

We started the calving season with a few of the boys show cows. So our weekly calving blog is starting early with just a few updates. We will then get into our daily summary once the main cowherd starts to calve.  I wanted to first give you a bit of insight into our planning and preparation.  

Why Calving Season Requires Planning

Most ranchers plan for calves to be born within a specific timeframe. This allows for more focused care and observation, calves to be similar in age and size and easier herd management throughout the year. We like for our purebred calves to start arriving in February and the rest of the herd to calve in March. 

Preparing Calving Areas and a Calving Kit

Cows need clean, dry, and sheltered areas to give birth. Usually we have to plow the snow to help areas dry out but this year we don’t have any snow to plow. If the ground is wet, we will add bedding, such as straw to help keep the calves dry.  We also have calf shelters ready, full of straw, for the calves to lie in.  A dry, calm environment reduces stress and illness for newborn calves.

Assembling a Calving Kit

We keep supplies on hand in case assistance is needed. While most cows calve on their own, being prepared is critical. You can read more about the supplies that we have ready in our essential calving season supply post. Preparation saves valuable time when every minute counts.

Watching for Signs of Trouble

We spend extra time observing the cows as calving approaches, usually every 4 hours.  We watch for cows separating from the herd, prolonged labour and then carefully watch that the calves get going well. Early intervention, when needed, can save both cow and calf.

Why Calving Preparation Matters

Healthy calves are the foundation of a successful ranching year. Careful preparation leads to higher calf survival, stronger calves at turnout and less stress for animals and ranchers alike.  

Calving Week 1 Summary

During the first week of calving this year, we had three cows calve.  Two were first time moms, we call these heifers, and one was a second time mother.  The heifers both had stocky, think bull calves on their own, each weighing 85 lbs. 

Here is a short clip from the birth of one of the bull calves. 

The cow, who is one of the boys, surprised us with a set of twins, each weighing 73 lbs. One heifer calf and one bull calf which means that the heifer is a freemartin. A freemartin happens when a bull and heifer twin share placental blood vessels in utero, so hormones and cells from the male affect the female’s reproductive development — most freemartins don’t develop fully and can’t have calves. The bull is not affected and can be fertile. They have been a lot of fun to watch over the past few days and we will continue to update you on their adventures this calving season. 

All four calves are now outside in the barnyard enjoying the sunshine with their mothers. 

We are continuing to check the next set of purebred cows.  We have some cows that were artificially inseminated and we have some recipient cows that had embryos implanted in them last spring. These will all hopefully calve in February.  Then the main cowherd will start at the end of February into March.  Be sure to follow along as we share daily stories on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Favourite Item of the Week

*NOTE SOME OF THE LINKS BELOW ARE AFFILIATE LINKS THAT WE GET A SMALL COMMISSION FOR REFERRING. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING BY SHOPPING THROUGH THESE LINKS.

My husband found a great, inexpensive headlamp on Amazon that we have both really appreciated on our night checks. It is so bright and rechargeable!

Ranching Terms Explained

Calf – A young cow, usually under one year of age.

Calving Season – The planned period when most calves are born on a ranch.

Bedding – Material such as straw or corn stalks used to keep animals dry and warm.

Intervention – When a rancher assists during birth if a cow or calf is struggling.