When calving heifers (female cattle that haven’t had a calf yet), you inevitably have to help one now and then. This year we are pulling a few more calves than usual, which is a bull-related issue. The bull’s genetics in large part determine calf size and the bigger the calf, the harder to calve. We aren’t the sort to wait around several hours for a heifer to have a calf, which some people do. If she isn’t progressing in a timely fashion, we like to get her in and get the calf pulled before the heifer is worn out from trying to have her baby, and the calf is exhausted from being squeezed. It’s a system that works well for us.
Great article. It shows what it takes to care for the animals, which is no easy task. Thanks!