Despite our best efforts at bull selection and heifer development, cows or heifers occasionally need assistance at calving time. Of course the newborn calf needs to begin to breathe as soon as possible.<br>
To stimulate the respiratory process, first manually clear the mouth and nasal passages of fluids and mucus. If the calf has not begun to breathe, briskly tickle the inside of the nostrils of the calf with a straw. This will usually cause the calf to have a reflex action such as a “snort” or cough.<br>
The reflex cough or “snort” expands the lungs and allows air to enter. Expect the calf to pant rapidly for a few minutes after breathing is initiated. Panting is the natural response that increases oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release and will allow the calf to reach normal blood gas concentrations.<br>
The Butler County Cattlemen are sponsoring a seminar on Wednesday, March 12, at the Collinsville Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m. to help cattlemen learn more about how to best manage cows and calves after this winter of low feed supplies and high feed cost. <br>
Dr. Ken Krom, Krom Veterinarian Services in Liberty, Ind., will discuss preventing, as much as possible, calving difficulties.
How can we best help her get a live calf on the ground? Getting that calf off to a strong start is essential to the lifetime health of the animal. How you can best manage the cow, the calf, and the environment will be discussed. What is the best spring health plan you should implement?<br>
Finally, a discussion of flushing and embryo transplant is scheduled.<br>
This is a free program for members of the Butler County Cattlemen Assoc. If you are not a member, the registration fee is $10, payable at the door. Please contact Jim Booker, association treasurer at 513-738-1147, or me at
bartels.2@osu.edu or 513-887-3722 by March 10th with your reservation.<br>
The cattlemen are providing roast beef sandwiches and drink at 6:30 p.m., so come early and eat.<br>

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.