Spring Calving Season: Essential Preparation Checklist for Dairy Farmers

# Spring Calving Season: Essential Preparation Checklist for Dairy Farmers Spring calving season is one of the busiest and most critical times on a dairy farm. Proper preparation can mean the difference between a smooth, profitable season and costly complications. ## 8 Weeks Before Calving Season ### Facility Inspection and Repairs - **Calving pens**: Clean, disinfect, and repair any damaged gates or panels - **Ventilation systems**: Test and clean all fans and air intake systems - **Lighting**: Replace burned-out bulbs, add lighting where needed - **Water systems**: Check heated waterers, repair any leaks - **Bedding storage**: Ensure adequate supply of clean, dry bedding material ### Equipment Checklist Essential equipment to have on hand: - Calving chains and obstetrical equipment - Calf warmers or heat lamps (for cold climates) - Colostrum feeding equipment - Navel iodine and disinfectants - Digital thermometers - Esophageal feeders - Scale for weighing calves ## 4 Weeks Before Calving Season ### Staff Training and Protocols - Review calving protocols with all staff - Practice emergency procedures - Assign calving check schedules - Update contact lists for veterinarians ### Health Program Review Work with your veterinarian to: - Review vaccination protocols - Ensure adequate supplies of vaccines and medications - Plan for newborn calf health monitoring - Schedule pre-calving herd health checks ### Record System Preparation - Update cow cards with expected calving dates - Prepare registration paperwork - Set up digital passport accounts for new calves - Review last year's calving data for insights ## 2 Weeks Before Calving Season ### Nutrition Management - Transition dry cows to close-up ration - Check body condition scores - Monitor feed bunk management - Ensure adequate mineral and vitamin supplementation **Pro Tip**: Cows with BCS of 3.0-3.5 at calving have better reproductive performance and fewer metabolic issues. ### Colostrum Management - Test and inventory frozen colostrum - Verify refractometer calibration - Review colostrum feeding protocols - Train staff on colostrum quality testing ## First Week of Calving Season ### Daily Monitoring - Check cows 3-4 times daily for signs of labor - Monitor feed intake and body condition - Watch for early signs of calving difficulty - Record all calvings with detailed notes ### Newborn Calf Protocol Within the first 4 hours: 1. Assess calf vigor and breathing 2. Dip navel in 7% iodine solution 3. Feed 4 quarts of high-quality colostrum 4. Assign RFID tag and record birth data 5. Move to clean, dry individual pen ## Technology Integration Modern dairy operations use platforms like Therio to streamline calving season management: - **Digital Passports**: Instantly create records for each newborn calf - **Automated Workflows**: Trigger registration tasks automatically at birth - **Mobile Apps**: Record calvings and health data from the barn - **Alert Systems**: Get notifications for overdue calvings ## Common Calving Season Challenges ### Challenge #1: Metabolic Disorders **Prevention**: Proper transition cow nutrition, monitor for milk fever signs ### Challenge #2: Dystocia (Difficult Calvings) **Prevention**: Proper heifer breeding, don't delay intervention ### Challenge #3: Weak Calves **Prevention**: Adequate colostrum intake, warm housing, monitor for scours ## Financial Considerations Budget for spring calving season: - Bedding: $15-20 per cow - Colostrum replacer (backup): $30-40 per unit - Vaccines and medications: $25-35 per calf - Registration and testing: $50-75 per calf - Labor (overtime): Variable by operation **Total estimated cost**: $120-200 per calf born ## Conclusion Spring calving season requires meticulous planning and preparation. By starting early, training staff thoroughly, and using modern tools to automate record-keeping, you can ensure a smooth calving season that sets your herd up for a productive lactation.