Preparing Your Cows for Calving 60-90 Days Before Birth

The last 60-90 days before calving are arguably the most critical period in a beef operation. The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” couldn’t be more true in this context.

During late gestation, cows undergo significant changes. In the final 90 days, they experience mammary development, produce colostrum antibodies, and grow approximately 75% of their calf. To put it into perspective, a calf typically weighs around 65-90 pounds at birth, meaning it gains 48-67 pounds during those last 90 days. It’s truly remarkable.

Body condition, nutrition and vaccinations all play crucial roles during this delicate period of development, with lasting effects on the success of a calf crop for generations.

Below are four key areas to focus on before calving to set your herd up for success.

Cow Body Condition Scores Before Calving

Late gestation is the final opportunity to improve a cow's body condition before the energy demands of lactation begin. Research indicates that cows need to gain at least 100 pounds during this period to support the calf’s tissue growth without sacrificing their own body condition.

When cows are severely nutrient-restricted, they may eventually stop supplying nutrients to the fetus to preserve themselves. More commonly, in cases of mild or moderate drought, cows will maintain pregnancy but sacrifice significant body condition to sustain their calf. This can lead to underdeveloped calves with compromised immune function, growth issues, or carcass development problems that can persist throughout their lives.

Additionally, if heifers are retained from a nutrient-restricted cow, the negative effects could carry over to their future calves, potentially impacting three generations of the herd. This is also referred to as fetal programming.

Ideally, cows should have a body condition score (BCS) of 5 or better at calving. Cows in this condition tend to cycle faster after birth, have higher pregnancy rates and calve within a more predictable timeframe.

Research from the University of Idaho shows that cows with a BCS of 4 or lower had a 9-29% lower pregnancy rate compared to those with a BCS of 5 or greater. However, over-conditioned cows with a BCS of 7 or more may face an increased risk of dystocia (birth challenges) and produce lower quality and quantity of colostrum.

“Ultimately, the cow's status and calf's status are intertwined. Keep the cow healthy and in good body condition, and you’ll likely have a healthy calf,” says Dr. Jeff Hill, Ralco Ruminant Nutritionist.

For assistance with scoring your cattle, online charts and visual aids can help you identify where your cattle are and where they need to be before calving.

Cow Nutrition Prior to Calving

As cows enter late gestation, their nutritional needs increase significantly. Energy requirements rise by 25%, and protein needs by 10%. Additionally, the demand for essential minerals also intensifies.

The growing fetus drives a higher need for macronutrients like calcium and phosphorus. Beyond these, cows also require increased levels of trace minerals such as copper, selenium, and zinc, as well as vitamins A and D, which are crucial for proper fetal development and immune system support.

According to Dr. Hill, “It’s best to feed a breeder mineral during late gestation. While this may seem early, it’s actually the perfect timing. A high-quality breeder mineral should be introduced 60-90 days before calving. In fact, we might even consider calling it a calving mineral.”

By providing a breeder mineral during this period, you ensure the cow has all the necessary micronutrients to produce high-quality colostrum, support a healthy calf and set the stage for a successful breeding season.

What is Fetal Programming in Cows?

If nutrient requirements are not met during gestation, a concept called fetal programming can be affected. Fetal programming is the theory that cattle management and nutrition may cause permanent effects on the fetus and have long-term consequences for the unborn calf.

Periods of limited nutrition can cause reduced weaning weights, decreased immune response, lower carcass weights, lower fertility and even poor beef tenderness and meat quality at market.

In late gestation, the unborn calf relies heavily on the cow for nutrients as it develops muscle, fat, organs and carcass characteristics. If the cow’s nutrient intake is restricted due to factors like drought, poor-quality grass or cold stress, the amount of nutrients available to the fetus will be limited. This can result in severe consequences, such as high calf mortality. Even in less extreme cases, nutrient restriction can lead to lower birth weights and a higher likelihood of chronic illness in calves.

The effects of nutrient restriction can extend across generations. Studies indicate that a nutrient-restricted cow can impact not only her calves but also the health and performance of her future generations, including daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. However, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications on profitability and performance.

To prevent nutrient restriction, it’s crucial to provide protein and mineral supplementation throughout gestation, especially during the last 60-90 days. This ensures that cows receive the necessary nutrients to support the healthy development of their calves.

Learn more about fetal programming in this webinar presented by Dr. Jennifer Young, Ralco Ruminant Nutritionist.

Vaccinations Prior to Calving

Calves are born with an underdeveloped immune system, making them vulnerable to disease. This is why colostrum is so vital. Through colostrum, calves receive passive immunity from their mothers. Administering strategic vaccinations before calving can boost the protective antibodies that will be passed to the calf through the colostrum.

It’s important to remember that cows start pulling antibodies from their bloodstream and storing them in their mammary tissue about 3-5 weeks before calving. To maximize antibody transfer and help prevent scours, consult your vet about the most effective vaccination plan.

Improving Colostrum Quality Before Calving

Ensuring good body condition, proper vaccinations and adequate nutrition are key factors in improving colostrum quality for calves. Additionally, yeast cell wall products and a high-quality mineral can further enhance colostrum quality.

Yeast cell wall products like Ralco’s IntegraMOS are designed to boost the immune system before calving with beta-glucans and reduce pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella through Mannan-Oligosaccharides (MOS). These pathogens are common causes of calf scours, making MOS an important component in colostrum enhancement.

Also incorporating a high-quality mineral supplement like Rumatec can play a significant role in improving colostrum quality. During late gestation, cows require higher levels of trace minerals and vitamins, which are often not passed directly into milk or colostrum. The mineral status of the calf at birth reflects that of the cow, emphasizing the importance of proper mineral supplementation during pregnancy.

One important exception is selenium. In the right form, selenium can be transferred through milk, which is crucial since calves are often born deficient. While inorganic selenium cannot be passed through milk, selenomethionine—found in selenium yeast—can. Ensuring that your mineral supplement includes a good source of selenium yeast is essential.

It’s important to note that most calves don’t start consuming minerals until they are about 100 days old. However, providing a well-balanced, high-quality mineral supplement can encourage earlier consumption, helping to replenish their reserves from birth.

By employing these strategies to enhance colostrum quality, you can improve your calves’ gut integrity, leading to more efficient feed absorption, better weight gain and improved health status as they grow.

Get your cows prepared for a successful calving season. Schedule a free consultation with a ruminant nutritionist today by calling 507-337-6916 or emailing RuminantHelp@RalcoAgriculture.com.

IntegraMOS - Healthy Cows, Healthy Calves

IntegraMOS is a high quality yeast product to help support the immune system and animal health during times of challenge for a more profitable calving season.

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Rumatec - Cow/Calf Mineral

The Rumatec line of cow/calf supplements provides the needed nutrients commonly deficient in forages to help ensure optimum performance and reproductive efficiency.

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References:

1. Moriel, Philipe.“Fetal Programming: Cow Nutrition and Its Effects on Calf Performance: NC State Extension Publications.” NC State State Extension Publications, NC State, 26 Feb. 2016

2. Hall, John B. “Management in Late Gestation Is Important to Two Calf Crops.” Extension Beef Cattle University of Idaho, University of Idaho,15 Jan. 2006

3. “Pre-Calving Vaccinations for Pregnant Cows.” Drovers, 4 Jan. 2016.