Tips For Calving Season

Many ranchers in the area especially Purebred breeders will have to start doing their routine calving checks or have already started.

Wayne Steiger a vet at Diamond Valley Clinic says there's some things they have to do to prepare for a smooth calving season.

"The cows are moved off of normal feeding areas into calving areas that are cleaned up so calves aren't being exposed to a lot of viruses and bacteria," says Steiger.

This time of the year can often bring very cold weather which can cause frozen ears and tails for newborn calves.

"But if calves are born with a lot of shelter and bedding they don't usually have problems with frozen ears and tails," states Steiger.

Ranchers have to make sure that their cows are well bedded and have shelter.

They also start checking once every few days, but when they start it might average to three times a day.

Some signs that a cow is going to calve is if it's starting to bag up and become loose in the hind end.

"You can usually predict if a cow is going to calve within that week," says Steiger.

Newborn calves are usually moved after a few days to a different area.