Mud conditions in calving areas can lead to health concerns in both the cow and calf. Mud and moisture prevent the hair coat from insulating and maintaining body temperature, leaving newborn calves vulnerable to hypothermia. Mud also increases the energy requirements for the cow and may lead to decreases in body condition score (Nickles, et al. 2022).
Because of health concerns, it is important to reduce the effects of mud in calving areas. The following are a few management strategies to decrease the risk of health events due to mud during calving season.
Calf scours
When mud and fecal material are on udders, calves have the potential to ingest disease causing pathogens when they nurse. The environmental pathogens amplify with each new animal introduced to the calving area.
The Sandhills Calving Method can be modified to individual systems by using two key concepts:
Calves are born in a clean area to minimize the number of pathogens in the environment at birth.
Calves are grouped by similar ages to prevent direct contact between younger and older calves. Keeping age groups together is one way to minimize risk of exposure to large amounts of disease-causing agents.
Can the pens be split with temporary fencing or other creative methods of separation? Are there areas that may be accessed that are normally not used during calving? Once areas are designated, heavy bred cows can be rotated out of the pairs group to start another age group
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