Consider grouping thin cows wlth helfers, he adds. Studies comparing age of dam at breeding with calving difficulty have shown that heifers experience far more problems than mature cows. Weight and body condition benefit first-calf heifers, Chalmers points out. Be especially attentive to body condition if circumstances force you to feed cows early, especially on confined winter feeding grounds, these specialists caution. A lot of producers now winter cows on a quarter section.
Cows get more exercise and it can be an important factor in reducing calving difficulties.
Condition scoring is a valuable managemen for feeding cows and heifers properly, say Dr. Lewis and Dr. Mentz. That gives you a good idea of which way you're going with your feeding program. Costs of difficult calvings can run from a few hundred dollars for a Caesarean to several hundred dollars in a lost calf. There's not much left over if a producer must also pay for a Caesarean.