Mini Mag Feb 22 2021

Cows Need Motherly Impulse

“That heifer has no maternal instinct, no common sense whatsoever.” The herdsman made similar comments numerous times during recent calving situations. There’s ample timber protection in the draws completely out of the subzero storms. Yet when a cow starts birthing on a barren hill in a strong north wind it’s completely illogical. Chances of calf survival are immediately sharply reduced in such severe conditions. Problems increase more when a heifer drops her calf and immediately turns away eating hay. A newborn coming out of momma’s warm inside to the frigid cold pasture must be cared for or it’ll freeze. Even calves with highly maternal mothers providing the utmost attention had frozen ears, tails and feet last week. Certain cattle bloodlines are promoted for their maternal instincts. Naturally the cows are supposed to know how and want to care for their babies in the best ways possible. Still when the time comes Mother Nature plays havoc on brainpower of certain young bovine females. Giving birth is an entirely new experience they’ve never had before and first timers often just don’t know what to do. Continuing days of very cold temperatures, limited access to open water and consuming enough warming feedstuff add to the predicament.