Heifer calf #126 was born early in the morning of December 11, 2011.  Her Dad was a Charolais bull – Cooley Smart Choice 7049 and her Mom was 5 year old commercial Brangus cow #582.  When the calving starts, we are in our pastures day and night checking cattle – especially young heifers that are having their first calf.  But this was not the first calf for #582.  We made our rounds and noted that she was in labor.  It was a little over an hour before she delivered.  Labor was not especially difficult, but the calf was big.  Mom began her work – cleaning – “talking” to it – nudging it to get up and get started on the milk.  Mom’s first milk – colostrum – is critical in the life of the calf and the calf must have received it in the first several hours for a healthy start.  The colostrum is filled with antibodies that protect the calf against certain infections and is higher in Vitamin A than normal milk.  Everything appeared normal so we left.  It really is best to leave them alone so the cow can take care of business.  And as my vet says – “they need to start loving each other”.  Now remember – the ranch normally runs 500 head of Mother cows so our rounds take time during the calving season.  So we left and moved on to another pasture.  It appeared #582 had all under control and would have her baby up nursing on schedule.  And she did – and it did get its first colostrum.

By the evening though, #582 was bellowing repeatedly.  Something was wrong.  She was standing over her calf and it would not get up.  I tried to rouse the calf – but the calf was curled up in a deep sleep – no activity.  The calf was so big that it had exhausted itself in the birthing process.  Now, we had to go to work to save it.  It had gotten dark and cold.  I came back to the house for a large calf bottle with a warm mixture of colostrum, proteins, live microbials, electrolytes and vitamins.  Then Gary and I went back to the pasture with the warm milk mixture.

There is another little problem.  The cow is very protective and can take on a “killer” instinct to defend her baby.   It is hard to communicate to the cow that you are trying to save the baby.  And since I have yet to meet my first “cow whisper” – I keep my guard up.   My cows are docile but I start talking to the cow from the time my pick-up door swings open.  So not only do I need the head lights of the truck – I need that truck for my escape if necessary.

#582 wanted our help.  That calf was huge and I had a hard time in my strength getting the calf lifted enough to put it in a position to suck the bottle.  And it takes work to get them to suck.  This night #582 was right there with me – head on my shoulder – then sniffing the calf – then “lowing” in a pleading manner for the calf to get up and suck.  Finally – it started taking the bottle.  It is always a great moment when the calf starts responding – stands up – and Mom takes over.

Today heifer calf #126 weighs about  600 pounds.  She is a great calf.  It is all in a day’s work but we rest a lot easier when God grants us the save!!