Growing Beef Newsletter
January 2026, Volume 16, Issue 7
Timely calving tips
Denise Schwab, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist
With calving season just around the corner, now is a good time to double-check all your calving supplies and equipment BEFORE it is needed. Our team has put together a calving preparation checklist for your consideration.
Facilities
- Whenever we get some warm weather, get the calving yard/close-up area cleaned and bedded.
- Clean, disinfect, and bed any pairing stalls and chute area.
- Check all the gates in the calving area to ensure they all swing easily and don’t need to be drug through mud to close.
- Any areas that are or might become icy should have something spread to roughen up the area to prevent slips, but don’t use anything that might cause foot sores.
- Check lights in the close-up yard, barn, and chute/assistance area to ensure all bulbs are working. Well lighted work areas reduce stress and improve diagnosis of dystocia.
Equipment
- Gather all your supplies needed in one area or toolbox.
- Check OB chains and handles to be sure they are clean and rust-free. Disinfect them so they are ready for the first calf if needed.
- Inspect your calf jack, checking all straps as well as the ratchet mechanism.
- Check your esophageal feeder for scratches and sanitize it. If the bulb has scratches in the plastic or you notice discoloration or mold in the bag, replace it.
- Clean and sanitize the calf warmer, calf blankets, and ear warmers.
- Check cameras to ensure they are working properly and are connected to your phone.
- Find your calf sled and clean it up.
- Order supplies.
- Order at least one package of colostrum replacer to have on hand.
- Set up a new calving book.
Health
- Order vaccination supplies.
- If using scour vaccines, vaccinate cows 4-8 weeks before calving. 1st-calf heifers need 2 doses; 1 annual after 1st year.
- Have a game plan and supplies on hand to treat calf illness as it arrives.
Management
- Now is also a good time to review your nutrition plans. We probably can’t add a lot of body condition at this point, but definitely want to get thin cows on an increasing plane of nutrition going into calving. Be especially focused on heifers/young cows.
- Provide shelter or windbreaks for cows and calf condos for the calves. See our Cow Tip Tuesday video for help.
- Review our online calving manual.
- Consider the Konafal calving system, also a Cow Tip Tuesday video.
On a cold, windy night, check out our other resources and videos on the Iowa Beef Center website.
This monthly newsletter is free and provides timely information on topics that matter most to Iowa beef producers. You’re welcome to use information and articles from the newsletter - simply credit Iowa Beef Center.
