Calving management & practices, in general:
1. Remember the calf develops about 75% in the eighth month of pregnancy. At this point, feed intake/weight gain of the female greatly influences fetus size. Thin cows need additional weight prior to this stage and fat cows/heifers should be on maintenance diet. The point is, don't overfeed the fetus.
2. Bonding-- Calving that is prolonged for any reason likely cause some injury or exhaustion to the cow. The pain from calving &/or retained placenta attributes to poor bonding and the classic unwillingness to allow her calf to nurse. The cow feels miserable, wants to fend for herself, especially near the back-end. In hindsight, perhaps pain is the reason even pet cows can't be trusted immediately after calving. But, we usually blame cow family genetics or the breed.
Inject Metacam 20mg/ml @ 15cc S.Q. anti inflammatory/pain relief. Convenient, lasts 3 days. Its pain management. I was amazed with the turnaround in mothering/nursing within 20 minutes.
Also use for pain & inflammation associated with pneumonia and bull banding.
3. Vitamins in forages don't survive ensilage process. If this is your feed program, insure adequate levels from other sources. (Vit. AD, E and selenium-in deficient regions)
There are several studies showing the importance of Vitamin ADE and selenium with respect to pregnancy, calving & afterbirth , calf survival and vigour.
Admin 4cc about 3 weeks precalving. Low rate, but I believe this has improved my results. If vitamin levels are fine, the body expels the surplus. Also admin. scour vaccine booster.
If it keeps the doctor at bay, I don't mind the effort.
I realise 'DL' insists everything should go down the throat. This depends on every cow consuming her share. Product appeal and social factors may restrict this in some systems.
1. Remember the calf develops about 75% in the eighth month of pregnancy. At this point, feed intake/weight gain of the female greatly influences fetus size. Thin cows need additional weight prior to this stage and fat cows/heifers should be on maintenance diet. The point is, don't overfeed the fetus.
2. Bonding-- Calving that is prolonged for any reason likely cause some injury or exhaustion to the cow. The pain from calving &/or retained placenta attributes to poor bonding and the classic unwillingness to allow her calf to nurse. The cow feels miserable, wants to fend for herself, especially near the back-end. In hindsight, perhaps pain is the reason even pet cows can't be trusted immediately after calving. But, we usually blame cow family genetics or the breed.
Inject Metacam 20mg/ml @ 15cc S.Q. anti inflammatory/pain relief. Convenient, lasts 3 days. Its pain management. I was amazed with the turnaround in mothering/nursing within 20 minutes.
Also use for pain & inflammation associated with pneumonia and bull banding.
3. Vitamins in forages don't survive ensilage process. If this is your feed program, insure adequate levels from other sources. (Vit. AD, E and selenium-in deficient regions)
There are several studies showing the importance of Vitamin ADE and selenium with respect to pregnancy, calving & afterbirth , calf survival and vigour.
Admin 4cc about 3 weeks precalving. Low rate, but I believe this has improved my results. If vitamin levels are fine, the body expels the surplus. Also admin. scour vaccine booster.
If it keeps the doctor at bay, I don't mind the effort.
I realise 'DL' insists everything should go down the throat. This depends on every cow consuming her share. Product appeal and social factors may restrict this in some systems.
;D