WINNIPEG – The shared experience of giving birth may make women better animal handlers than men, says a Manitoba Agriculture veterinarian.
They are generally more gentle in working livestock, Allan Preston told the Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference held here last week. That may be because women can’t overpower the cow or because of an empathy in calving.
Preston encouraged cattle producers to follow advice offered by University of Colorado animal expert Temple Grandin. She advocates chutes and corrals designed with curves rather than corners and walls that block distracting sights, plus a quiet, patient handling manner.
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When a cow is not moving down a chute, Preston said “instead of reaching for a two-by-four” handlers should check whether they are standing ahead of the animal’s shoulder, blocking its vision, casting shadows or forcing it to walk in a slippery area.
A simple thing like hanging a jacket on a fencepost on a warm day can bother the cow. Look at it from the cow’s perspective, said Preston. Its instincts have been honed by generations of being prey for meat eaters. Anything startling will cause it to shy away.
Preston said his advice is aimed not only at the cow’s comfort or the handler’s safety. It is based on producing the tastiest and safest meat. Bruises from bad handling, scarring from poor injections and improper medication all affect the meat quality. And meat contaminated by E. coli bacteria that can cause hamburger disease is the worst situation.
“The kid’s mother doesn’t care how it happened. It’s the beef industry that made her son sick.”
Preston said consumer experiences with illness or even tough meat can cause shoppers to pick up chicken instead of beef or to become vegetarians.
Preston also told the farm women that 90 percent of calves are born correctly with front feet and head out first. In unusual situations or with first-time calvers, cows may need help. Don’t call the veterinarian until cows have been in hard but unproductive labor for an hour and heifers two or three hours.
Preston said producers should not be afraid to put on the plastic sleeves and do their own vaginal inspections to assess what’s happening with the birth. As long as they disinfect the area and move their arm gently, they can help by manipulating the calf. But if after 10 minutes of effort a calf can’t be turned or some other problem fixed, call a vet.
Chains used to pull a calf from its mother can lead to problems for animals if some basic rules are not followed, said Preston.
Loop the chains twice, one above the fetlock and one below. This will prevent broken legs in calves pulled out too forcefully. Only one person should pull – more force than 275 pounds will cause unnecessary pain or injury. There is also no need to be speedy. Work with the cow’s contractions and allow the calf to come out in a natural arc toward the ground. Once the calf’s chest is free it can breathe, so don’t rush.
If the calf is on the ground and not moving, exuberant human efforts like suctioning, doing CPR or swinging the baby are not as effective as Mother Nature. Preston said the best method of revival is to let the cow lick its calf.
