Covering the basics of calf care will be especially important for cattle producers if dry conditions continue into spring
MEDICINE HAT — There’s a small measure of relief from dryness heading into spring calving season, but an abnormally warm winter may leave cows in less-than-ideal condition. Dr. Krista Dayman of Badlands Veterinarian Service said cow body condition is a concern in areas where feed and water may have been tough to access. “Colostrum intake […] Read moreTag Archives calving
Pros offer tips for what to do in a calving crisis
The calf was breech. Standing a few feet away, Brandon veterinarian Dr. Grayson Ross coached a producer at the rear of the cow through the potential disaster. “Get it in your mind’s eye,” he said. “You’ve got the rump of a calf right in front of you. The tail’s there. You’ve figured out where the […] Read more
Calving cameras can pay off
Greg Kornfeld says calving cameras do pay off. He figures he spent about $8,000 on his current camera system three years ago. It includes eight cameras, one outside on a yard light pole and the rest inside different buildings. “In the purebred business it doesn’t take long to pay for a camera system because I […] Read more
Triplet calves a first for Alta. cattle operation
Lonnie and Karen Brown wonder where it will end, considering the cow had a single calf two years ago and twins last year
Lonnie and Karen Brown have farmed for 35 years, raising cattle and growing grain on their mixed farm north of Westlock, Alta. Before that Karen’s parents, Evan and Betty Rose Roberts, also farmed there. On Dec 29, they experienced an event never before seen on Lone Stone Farms. One of their cows, Hetty 38D, a […] Read more
Early treatment required for calves with ear infections
UPDATED: September 8, 2025 – Ear infections are a common occurrence in young cattle. They can be seen at various ages, including young suckling calves, in older unweaned calves and also in weaned calves in the feedlot. What are the signs and symptoms of ear infections? The diagnosis of an inner ear infection is usually easy […] Read more
Calving season: be prepared with tools of the trade
The adage about having the right tool for the right job is good advice for calving season. Given that monitoring calving can require long and tiring hours, having the tools at hand can save stress for people and animals. Cody Creelman of Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie, Alta., says there isn’t much that surprises experienced […] Read more
A calf’s first meal is the most important one it will have
UPDATED: September 12, 2025 – The first time a calf suckles after birth could be labelled as the most important meal that the calf ever consumes. Adequate colostrum intake is essential to getting a calf off to a good start. Newborn calves are born with virtually no immunity of their own. The cow’s placenta does not […] Read more
Sask. farm has quad calves
Quadruplet calves are doing well on the Lamport family farm near Alida, Sask. When Calvin Lamport, son Layne and daughter Kayla delivered three calves from a five-year-old Charolais-cross cow on March 4, they were happy with the result. The cow had twins in each of the previous two years, so triplets were considered a bonus. […] Read more
Proper cow nutrition means healthier calves
A study found that cows did well when they were given higher than the recommended amounts of trace minerals
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Pregnant women are often advised to take pre-natal vitamins to have a healthy baby. That advice also applies to beef cattle, said beef extension researchers said at an education session held during the recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s convention held in San Diego. Cows need zinc, cobalt, manganese and copper during […] Read more
Calving difficulties lead to risks for newborns
Calving season is a critical time on cow-calf operations. Producing and weaning live calves is an important component of cow-calf profitability, and problems that occur at this time of year can have significant consequences. The birthing period and the first few days of life have been shown to be the most hazardous time for calves. […] Read more
