Distribution of time of calving in the suckler cow herd
According to DAFM in 2021 1.84% of calves died from 0-6 weeks of age on suckler farms in Ireland. Implications associated with a difficult calving for the calf include a poorer maternal bond, delayed colostrum consumption & possible failure of passive transfer of immunity. Read about some research
Noeleen Brereton, Teagasc Grange gives an overview of the distribution of time of calving in the suckler herd in the clip below
Calving is a critical part of the reproductive lifecycle of the cow. It can be associated with high levels of calf morbidity and mortality, as well as leading to subsequent cow reproduction-related complications, due to calving difficulty (dystocia). It is also the time during which the cow-calf maternal bond is formed, and when the immune-compromised neonatal calf derives its passive immunity through ingestion of colostrum. In this regard time to first-suckling is crucial.
Stockperson presence at calving time can reduce calf loss and reduce the dystocia-related stress on the cow and calf. Anecdotally, it is often assumed that animals have a preference to calve during quiet periods on the farm with no noise and in ‘darkness’ at night to reduce the ‘risk-of-predation’ when giving birth. Consequently, quantifying the hourly distribution of time of calving during the ‘24-hour day’ in suckler cows is of interest. There is a preference for cows calving during ‘normal’ working hours or during ‘daylight’ hours, when labour is more freely available, rather than during the ‘dark’ or ‘night’. Teagasc research indicates that livestock accounts for 65% of all on-farm injuries, and that 35% of fatal accidents are from attacks by ‘cow with calves’. Calving is an exceptionally busy and labour-intensive period on-farm, and working with calving cows, especially at ‘night’, can pose an increased safety risk to farmers.
Cow-calf maternal bond research
In suckler cow production systems, successful calving entails producing a healthy, viable calf without any detrimental effect on the cow. The importance of investigating the maternal bond formed with suckler cows and their offspring is important for the survival of the calf. Calves are born with an undeveloped immune system and rely on antibodies and other components in colostrum (first-milk) for protection from disease, as well as nutrition.
Research suggests calf vigour and calving ease play a crucial role in successful passive transfer for the beef calf. At Teagasc Grange, we are studying:
- the development of the cow-calf bond
- suckling behaviour
- and calving times in the suckler cow herds
and evaluating the effect of dam breed type (early-and late-maturing beef crossbred and beef × dairy cows) and cow genetic merit (high and average Replacement Index). Calvings were recorded using CCTV footage. The time post-calving when certain behaviours occurred including when the:
- cow approaches the calf
- cow licks the calf
- calf attempts standing
- calf stands
- calf attempts suckling
- calf successfully suckles
were determined for analysis. Additional aims are to evaluate the method of colostrum intake (assisted v. unassisted suckling) based on the calf ‘suckle-reflex’ at 10-minutes post-birth. Colostrum samples were collected, prior to suckling, for immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration determination. A blood sample was obtained by jugular venipuncture from calves at 48-hours post-birth to determine calf immune status. After parturition animals remained in the calving pens for a minimum of 2 days with the calf having free access to the dam.
Noeleen Brereton, Bernadette Earley, Colin Byrne, Peter Doyle and Mark McGee
Teagasc, Grange Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath