Spring on a New Zealand dairy farm is one of the most exciting — and demanding — times of the year, thousands of dairy calves are born across the country.
In the last couple of weeks before calving gets well underway, we have put a list together to help you check off that your pre-calving preparation is complete.
Calving season preparation
- Essential farm bikes and vehicles serviced and in reliable running order
- avoid breakdowns and know that your gear is ready for the weeks of calving.
- Equip these vehicles with gear and supplies they will need while on farm during calving
- Calf pick-up trailers have non slip flooring and are clean and in workable order
- Shed and veterinary supplies are well stocked up
- Ensure all products required for running the shed and animal health treatments are in plentiful supply and in their right place for easy access.
- Grazing management including springer and colostrum mob plans
- Identify the best paddocks to calve cows on and avoid paddocks that have difficult trailer access or have a recent long term crop history (may impact on metabolic issues in the transition cow) or are wet or prone to flooding.
- Calf rearing gear available and ready to use
- Make sure all gear is clean and fully functionable (teats been checked if need replacing) well before the start of calving.
- Meal and straw
- Quality straw/hay available
- Calf meal ordered ready for pick up
- Calf sheds setup with clean and dry bedding – dont leave till the last opportunity to get ready.
- Calf tags and taggers on hand
- Tags (replacement and bobby) have arrived or been ordered to arrive on time, at least 2 working taggers available
- Temporary calf neck tags if used – have plenty available
- NAIT Compliance – Calving is a trigger point for NAIT responsibilities. Farmers must:
- Tag calves with NAIT-approved RFID tags
- Register replacement calves in the NAIT system within 7 days of tagging
- Record any on or off-farm movements (e.g. to/from grazing) within 48 hours
- Team Communications – discuss with your team prior getting busy so everyone is on the same page
- Pasture and mob management plans and responsibilities
- Calf rearing and colostrum management and responsibilities
- Confirm bobby pick up company and days of pick-ups
- Review management systems weekly – as calving progresses, systems often need to change to be more suitable and efficient.
- Team fuel box – keep some snacks (bars, biscuits, fruit etc…) on hand at the cowshed to help fuel up when time gets stretched.
Spring management sets the foundation for your farm’s productivity and profitability for the whole season. With good planning, smart systems, and the right support, you’ll get through it with healthy calves, productive cows — and minimal stress.
We would love to continue your spring success by taking care of your weaner heifer replacement grazing needs this season. Get in touch now — sign up before 31 July and go into win one of 2 chances to win a $500 voucher of your choice.
We’d love to be part of your continuing success, growing great heifers for a Successful Herd Entry on your dairy farm. SHE is very important.