Knowing when to step in and help during calving can feel like walking a tightrope—it’s all about timing. Act too soon, and you might be stepping in when nature could have handled things on its own. But wait too long, and you risk running into serious problems that could cost both the calf and the cow their lives. Finding that perfect middle ground takes practice, a good eye, and sometimes a bit of luck. For many ranchers, it’s one of the trickiest parts of calving season.
Jumping in too early might seem like a safe option, but it comes with its own risks. If a cow doesn’t need help but gets it anyway, you could unintentionally cause harm. Pulling too soon can injure the cow or calf, and it might even disrupt the critical bonding process between the two. That bond is essential for the calf to get the care and colostrum it needs to thrive. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a step back and let momma do what she’s built to do.
On the flip side, waiting too long can lead to heartbreaking outcomes. If a cow struggles for too long without assistance, you could lose the calf, the cow, or even both. And if it gets to the point where surgery is needed, you’re looking at a hefty vet bill on top of the emotional toll. The stakes are high, but don’t worry—with the proper knowledge and approach, you can find that balance and step in when it truly matters. That’s why I’ve pulled together some key tips to help you confidently handle these tough decisions and set you up for success this calving season.
Understanding Calving Challenges
Before we start on the steps you need to take, I suggest going over a few basics. As we know, if you need to pull a calf, that means that your cow is experiencing some form of dystocia.
What Exactly is Dystocia?
Dystocia is the scientific term for any birthing difficulty. There are usually just three causes of dystocia that you are likely to come across.
The most common cause is that the calf is “too big.” This cause usually occurs in young heifers because they have yet to grow big enough, or you are using a bull that sires calves bigger than she can handle. 50% of all calving problems are with 1st-calf heifers, and 25% are with 2nd-calf heifers. The rest are spread out among all of the cows in the herd.
The second most common cause is the calf not coming out of the cow right. This problem can be caused by either its head being turned around or wanting to come out first. The usual way that a calf should come out is with its front feet first, followed by its head facing forward. This form should resemble a “diving forward” type of appearance.
Finally, a third cause is a lack of uterine contraction or fatigue. While this is typically rare, it does happen. The cow’s low nutritional state can usually cause it.
Tips to Prevent Calving Problems
Now that we have discussed some of the causes of dystocia, we can discuss what you can do to prevent it from happening in the first place.
One way you can do this is to ensure that your heifers are bred at the correct age and weight. This proper balance will ensure she will be big enough to handle giving birth. Breeding heifers at the right age and weight isn’t just a guideline—it’s a game-changer. Aim for that sweet spot: 12-14 months old and 55%-65% of their mature weight.
Another thing you can do is select bulls that have been shown to be calving ease. Usually, this would mean selecting one with a low birth weight EPD. In order to make this decision ea
Courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation
sier over the last few years, they have started including a calving ease stat among EPD numbers.
Cows should be in the proper BCS at the time of calving. Acceptable BCS means that they should score in the 5-6 range. If they are too thin, she may be unable to do this. Conversely, fat deposits may impede the birthing process if she is too fat. In my previous post, “The calving nutrition article of your dreams,” I go over the importance of nutrition during this time.
Before breeding season, if possible, you can measure the pelvic area in replacement or bred heifers. This measurement
will tell you if the cow has enough room for the calf to make it out. Research indicates that a 600-pound yearling heifer should have a pelvis at least 11cm wide and 12cm high to deliver a 63-pound calf.
Knowing When to Step In
Now that we have covered some causes of calving problems and steps that you can take to prevent them. Now, let’s go over what you should do if the need arises.
Let nature take its course.
This idea may seem counterproductive, considering that this article is about assisting with calving. Still, this is a very overlooked step in the process. Cow-calf producers can have a tendency to develop tunnel vision on only the pregnant cow when calving time approaches. They hang their calf puller and chains near the calving pen and concentrate on getting the newborn calf on the ground. It is vital to help the cow before jumping in and pulling.
Can the calf be born so that it gets up, nurses, and promptly receives colostrum? Will the cow protect the calf and get it safely to weaning? These are some questions that the producer should ask first.
When the female becomes aware of the approaching delivery, isolation, and nesting are natural processes. It’s essential to let the mother do what she naturally wants to do to kick things off in the right direction.
How to Tell When Help is Needed
In most cases, you won’t have to assist in calving, but if you must, here are a few signs to look for.
- The water sac has been visible for 2 hours, and the cow is not trying.
- If the cow has been trying for over 30 minutes and there is no visible progress
- After a period of progress, the cow has quit trying for over 15-29 minutes.
- Cow or calf are showing signs of fatigue or stress. These signs can be something like the calf having a swollen tongue or the cow bleeding from its rectum.
- It actually looks like the delivery is abnormal.
If you want more information on handling dystocia in cattle, Bovine Veterinarian Online has a very informative article here.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calving Assistance
Okay, so you have checked your cows and let things start off naturally, but things have taken a turn. You have observed one or more of the signs above and know that you will need to pull that calf; what do you do? Luckily for you, I have a short checklist that will give you some ideas.
- First, make sure that she cannot deliver this calf on her own. Ensure that the calf really needs your assistance before you go through the hassle of pulling it.
- Next, find out if the cause of dystocia is not caused by the calf being too large. You must call the vet if the calf is too big to pass through the birth canal. Trying to deliver the calf in this situation non-surgically can cause damage and even death to both the cow and the calf.
- Ensure that the cause of the dystocia is not from the calf being completely turned around. To do this, you must palpate the cow and feel around in there. If the calf is turned around, you must contact your veterinarian.
Your equipment matters
- Use clean equipment. Introducing bacteria inside the cow can reduce fertility, meaning it will take longer until the cow returns to heat.
- Pro tip: Always keep a clean birthing kit handy. You never know when you’ll need it!
- Do not use liquid soap as a lubricant. The composition of liquid soap will break down the cow’s natural lubricant. Methylcellulose-based lubricant is best; cooking oil or petroleum jelly can also be used.
- Use a 60-inch chain over 39 inches. The location where you want to loop the chain is just below the dewclaw but above the hoof (see the picture here)
- Pull alternatively on each leg to “walk” the shoulders out. You will want to pull upwards toward the tail head to prevent any damage to the cow.
- You should call the vet if you are not entirely comfortable with your abilities.
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