Community Corner
Calf-birth by Appointment?
Farmers much prefer daytime births. Most cows give birth without assistance, but sometimes emergency aid is required.
Three of the 15 calves we expect this year has been born. Star gave birth to a Highlander heifer named Rain on April 11 at 7 a.m, Alice on April 26 at 5pm, and Sarah on April 28 at 7pm. Like most beef farmers, we plan for springtime births by breeding cows in late July and August. Nine-month gestation means calves will arrive in April and May when the weather is warmish, and a nutritious explosion of grass is imminent. Green grass provides high-protein forage for moms, and warm weather keeps calves from freezing to death.
It’s an effective system. However, can we take it a step further and schedule the time of day for the birth? According to Drovers Magazine, the answer is “yes.”
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Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, where she raises and sells pastured pork, lamb, eggs and grass-fed beef. She can be reached at cas@milessmithfarm.com.
