Hereford Calves, Wagga Wagga, NSW

On Rushdon Farm there is a small herd of Herefords . The farm has been de-stocked over the last year due to the drought. The breeding herd of Herefords have done it hard during the drought and now have turned the corner and putting on weight with new spring growth. They are filling out and ready to calf . Calving has started, the few early calves relish their new environment running around the edge of the dam and sprinting to and from their mothers .

It surprised me how well mother can hide the newborn calves . Her furtive glance across the paddock in the general direction of where she has deposited the calf is the give away. Once we moved towards the hidden calf she would come in hot pursuit.

Cows that are due to calf give several signs of pending birth that are watched out for. Some isolate away from the herd, a definite give away, the udder bulks up,the vulva swells and the tail often hangs out from the body. When the birth is imminent, a pre birth bag filled with amniotic dangles and flaps about from the rear end. Three of the Herefords exhibited these signs during our inspection . Given the cows were 'Proven Breeders' ie have had several calves there was little need to check on their well being until the next day.

The Heifers require extra vigilance. They are generally smaller in statue and there is a higher risk of birthing difficulty. Farmers keep these young breeders seperate as they need to keep a close eye on these animals and are often required to assist. When birthing it is important to ensure the head and feet of the calf is in the correct position. The best position is head first with feet up near the head . Sometimes the head will be back too far or the legs are back. Internal manipulations is required to facilitate the birth. Calving ropes are put onto the calf's legs and gradually pulled with each labour to assist the birth.

Vets are generally called in for more difficult births they may opt for a Cesarean Section to extricate the calf. The Cows generally heal well and can go on to have many more calves into the future having had a C Section

I wonder what will happen Next !!