With the approach of spring many cattle producers are already in the midst of calving.
Since the weather is still chilly, and can turn frostier still at night, producers need to keep an eye on cows about to calf.
That is where some modern technology can save producers walking to the calving barns every hour to check things.
Kristina Just, who raises Herefords just west of the city notes a handy use of barn cameras is to watch heifers (first time moms), as they “figure out how to be moms.”
Just was also good enough to share a photo of a night picture using a camera to watch a new mom mother up to her calf without interrupting the natural process.
Of course at times some help is needed. For example Jillian Just helps a calf who cannot stand to get the all-important first colostrum from its mom. Jillian used a small square straw bale to drape the calf over.
And sometimes calves are injured too.
A calf which was stepped on by another cow suffered a broken leg. But, thanks to a cast, just like what people would wear on the injured leg, the calf should be fine after a couple of weeks to heal.
There is also some fashionable headwear warn by some calves at the Just farm.
When weather is especially cold a calf will wear a hoodie for a day, or so after birth. The hoodie holds the ears back against its own head to keep the ears warm and from freezing. Once the newborn calf is dry the hoodie is removed.
