Care at birth

Calving is high risk event for both the cow and the calf. The new-born calf is challenged by numerous infections which can result in navel ill, scour and pneumonia.

Section 1 of the Teagasc calf rearing manual provides details of:

Chapter 2, Care of the Newborn Calf (pdf). This chapter details successful calf resuscitation, umbilical care and removing the calf from the cow.

Chapter 3, Colostrum – Feeding of the Newborn (pdf). This chapter explains in detail the importance of colostrum to the health of the new-born calf and gives clear guidelines on the amount to feed, when to feed it and the main factors affecting colostrum yield and quality.

Details of care and health at calving can be found in Chapter 43 of the Teagasc Beef Manual Calving and the newborn calf (pdf) which provides information on how to minimise the likelihood of calving problems and how best to care for the new-born calf.

The following video, Calf Rearing- Care of the newborn calf, povides useful, practical information on colostrum management and the care of the calf in the first few hours of its life.