Farmers have a large responsibility in society because farms are where most food comes from, including vegetables, meat, and dairy. To produce these goods, farmers must properly manage the plants and animals from which the goods come.
Having enough cows is necessary to keep producing products like dairy and meat, so farmers often must care for pregnant cows. These tips for caring for a pregnant cow will help farmers keep these animals healthy and deliver strong calves.
Fresh Water
A pregnant cow requires more water because it drinks for two, and water is necessary for internal processes like digestion. Weather conditions will influence how much water a cow drinks daily, and it’s essential for the cow to have access to water to help it and the calf develop healthily. Staying hydrated will help the cow produce adequate milk and keep it comfortable to minimize problems.
Mineral Access
Giving a pregnant cow certain minerals will keep its development healthy, strengthen its immune system, and improve the safety of the pregnancy. Some minerals pregnant cows need are calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and sodium; these will give the animal strength for every stage of the process. You can give the cow buckets with a mix of those minerals three times a week.
Monitor Development
Monitoring how well the cow and the calf develop is essential for their safety, especially during the second half of the pregnancy. Having the necessary tools and equipment, like a livestock scale, will simplify monitoring the cow’s progress using its weight. For accurate results, it’s important to maintain your livestock scale.
Shaded Area
A shaded area for your pregnant cow is essential because it will protect it from heat waves and direct exposure to sunlight, keeping its body temperature balanced. A pregnant cow will quickly gain weight, making it burn more calories and increase its warmth. A body temperature of 100–103.5 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect for the mother and the calf.
Nutritious Food
During the gestation process, cows need different nutrients and foods. During the second half of its pregnancy, when the baby is bigger, a cow needs high-quality grass with a mixture of alfalfa with vitamins A, D, E, and K to strengthen digestive enzymes.
Caring for a pregnant cow requires extra work, but the benefits will make it worth the wait.
