UW Extension Education: Managing the First 100 Days From Birth to Branding

By now, most spring-calving operations in Wyoming have calves on the ground. 

Up to this point, many producers have been focused on calving preparation, feeding cows and starting to think about bulls ahead of the upcoming breeding season. Now, the focus must shift somewhat to the newest additions on the operation.

The first 100 days of a calf’s life are critical for long-term health and productivity. Having a solid management protocol in place can help maximize the calf crop, while also improving productivity later in life. 

This article highlights important considerations during the first 100 days of a calf’s life.

Pre-partum care phase

Before calves even hit the ground, it is important to keep soon-to-be mommas in good shape. Supplying adequate protein and energy during the final trimester is critical not only for cow and heifer body condition, but also for proper calf development. 

Approximately 70 percent of fetal growth occurs during the last 94 days of pregnancy.

Producers should understand their baseline forage quality and environmental conditions during this period to determine when supplementation of protein, energy, minerals and vitamins may be needed to meet the cow’s increasing nutrient requirements. 

Research has also shown females entering calving in good body condition experience fewer calving difficulties compared to thinner females.

Neonatal care phase

When a calf is born, its immune system is not fully functional yet and it must rely on passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum to support immune function. Adequate colostrum intake within the first 12 hours of life is critical and can have lifelong effects on calf health. 

Between 12 and 24 hours after birth, colostrum intake is still beneficial, but the window for effective antibody absorption is rapidly declining.

At a minimum, calves should consume two to four quarts of colostrum as soon as possible and within the first 12 hours of life. Ideally, calves should consume about five percent of their body weight in colostrum during the first six hours after birth.

During the neonatal period, it is also important to ensure the calf is bonding well with its mother and has a strong suckling response. The cow should clean the calf thoroughly after birth, and the navel should be inspected for abnormalities and treated with iodine to help prevent infection.

Crowded calving grounds can increase pathogen exposure. Moving cow/calf pairs and spreading out calving locations has been shown to decrease death loss and veterinary expenses without negatively impacting calf performance. 

If spreading calving locations is not possible, calving areas should be cleaned regularly to reduce disease pressure.

Early growth phase

Monitoring herd health daily should be a priority during this phase. 

Watch for signs of calf illness such as scours, rapid breathing, coughing, nasal discharge, drooping ears or head, dry muzzle, a hunched posture, poor appetite, fever or lack of curiosity.

Calf scours is one of the most serious and potentially lethal diseases during the first 30 days of life. Preventative management and prompt treatment of affected calves are essential for maintaining good survival rates.

The early growth phase is often a good time to perform management procedures such as tagging, castration and dehorning, as these can be less stressful when performed at a younger age. 

When possible, calves should be monitored afterward to ensure proper healing.

During the first 30 days, it is important to follow a veterinarian-approved vaccination protocol that works for individual operations and environments. 

Many operations choose to vaccinate calves later at branding, but there may be benefits to vaccinating as early as three to four weeks of age for operations which require more immediate protection. These vaccinations can help protect against respiratory illnesses, scours and clostridial diseases.

Mid-growth phase

During this phase, calves are typically turned out with their mothers and begin to explore grazing behavior. While milk remains their primary source of nutrition, calves gradually begin adapting to different environments and learning from herd mates.

Rotational grazing strategies may help minimize parasite buildup compared to continuous grazing in a single pasture. Monitoring calf growth and overall vigor is also important during this stage.

In Wyoming, many operations conduct brandings during this window. Every ranch has its own branding style, but regardless of the approach, minimizing stress and reducing the time required per calf are important considerations for calf health.

Ensuring calves are dry and healthy ahead of branding day is important. 

Producers should consider ways to shorten separation time between the calf and its mother.

Being prepared with proper equipment ahead of time and having an efficient crew where everyone understands their role can greatly improve the process. Minimizing loud noises and crowding can also help reduce stress.

Keeping accurate records during branding is valuable for herd management. After processing, calves should return to a quiet, familiar environment with their mothers as soon as possible to encourage recovery and healing.

Final thoughts

Calving season is a critical time for cow/calf producers. 

How calves are managed during the first 100 days of life can make a significant difference in how many healthy calves make it to weaning and ultimately impact the bottom line.

Chance Marshall is a University of Wyoming Extension educator based in Fremont County. He can be reached at 307-332-2363 or cmarsha1@uwyo.edu.