Calving Assistance
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December 12, 2025
Damon Pollard
This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. Today’s topic is Calving Intervention.
With calving season ongoing, cattle producers should observe their herds regularly to be ready to assist, cows or heifers that have trouble. Two-year-olds and 1st calf heifers should especially be monitored, as they often need some assistance.
Producers should intervene if water sac is visible with no progression for 90 minutes. At that time, you should bring the animal up to a suitable facility, whether a chute or stall, and determine if the calf is mal-positioned. Calves coming backwards, having one leg or the head back are definitely going to need immediate help. Calves that are positioned properly should be given more time, after which they may only need a few pulls on the puller to emerge, or rotation in the birth canal should they become hip-locked. If you don’t feel comfortable assisting these badly positioned births, call your vet or someone you know who is capable of assisting.
Remember, assisting early has been proven to return cows to estrus,
and pregnancy sooner, than those assisted later. Once the animal does deliver the calf, and you have assisted, make sure that she and the calf do bond, and be prepared to give colostrum to the calf if it does not nurse quickly. If colostrum needs to be given, give at least 2 liters by esophageal feeder, as it is super important to the calf’s early immunity.
This is Damon Pollard, Livestock Agent with The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service-Burke Center. If you would like more information, please call us at 764-9480.