Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
Knowing the signs and stages of labour, how to calf a cow and the immediate care needed after calving will increase the number of successful births, says DairyNZ.
Cows close to calving (springers) must be checked at least twice every 24 hours. If calving is not going normally, remedial action must be taken and a moving vehicle must not be used to provide traction to assist calving.
Check springers for signs of labour regularly, quietly and thoroughly and record what you observe.
Quietly: walk quietly through the springer mob – when cows are feeding is best. Don't walk through the mob when cows are hungry and are waiting to be moved to fresh grass or a new break. Look for cows that are showing signs of labour.
Regularly: check cows at least four times a day. Your manager will set a routine for springer checks.
Thoroughly: check all areas of the paddock and depending how good the fencing is, check the paddocks next door as well. Check drains, hollows, long grass, hedges – anywhere a calf could be sleeping.
Record: note the number of any cow or heifer that has started to show signs of calving, or has calved, and report to your manager so you can keep an eye on her progress.
Early signs of labour
• Swelling of the udder can happen up to a month before calving.
• Milk dripping from teats.
• Mucus string from the vulva (from the plug of mucus that seals the vulva).
• Restless.
Stages of labour
• Calving will progress at different rates for different cows. Some may show all the signs, whereas others may show few signs.
• Generally labour can be broken into two stages: preparation for labour and delivery.
Preparation for labour
The preparation phase can take up to six hours in cows and 72 hours in heifers. Look for these signs when observing springers:
• Away from herd and reduced appetite.
• Pelvic ligaments relaxed; vulva looks swollen and flabby.
• Dip between tailhead and pin-bones.
• Tummy less full as calf moves into birth canal/birthing position.
• Mothering other cows' calves.
• Discomfort – swishing tail, arched back, restless, peeing, kicking and nosing at her side, tail raising.
• Straining/contractions.
• Water bag protruding.
Delivery
Cows should take 30-60 minutes to calf – no more than two hours. Heifers should take two-three hours to calf – no more than four hours.
During a standard delivery the following will occur:
The cow starts straining and pushing; two feet are visible within the water sack.
Once the feet are 10cm clear of the vulva the head has cleared the pelvis. The chest of the calf has not passed through the pelvis at this stage and the umbilical cord is still attached so the cow is still providing oxygen to the calf.
Once the head has cleared the pelvis, the cow may rest for a minute or two. Once the calf's shoulders have cleared the pelvis, the birth will continue fairly quickly. The umbilical cord will have likely broken by this point and the calf will start to breathe on its own.
Cleaning
After a normal birth, the cow will stand, sniff and start to lick the newborn calf. Licking will help dry the calf, stimulate blood flow and prevent the calf from getting too cold.
The placenta comes out within six hours of birth and the uterus begins to shrink back to the normal size.
Cows usually eat some or all the placenta. Make sure you know what an entire placenta looks like. If only a small part of the placenta comes away, record this and let your manager know.
How a calf is born
Normal presentation is head-first. The two front feet and head of the calf create a wedge which assists in opening the birthing canal to allow the calf to pass through.
Feet and nose entering the birthing canal is one trigger that causes the cow to start straining. If a calf is presented breech (tail first) the cow may not go into full labour.
Even if a calf is in the right position, assistance may be needed if the calf is too big for the cow.
Abnormal presentation
A calf presenting abnormally is likely to need assistance in delivery.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.