• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

June 5, 2025

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Archives
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    8:10 pm Tuesday, October 7, 2003

    Preparing for the calving season

    By By Justin Rodgers / 4-H youth agent
    Oct. 5, 2003
    Are you prepared for the calving season on your farm? The fall calving season has already started for many of you.
    This is perhaps the most important part of the year for beef cattle producers, since live calves represent potential profit and failure to deliver calves means certain loss.
    Since calving is much easier to keep on eye on during daylight hours, producers should encourage calving during that time of day. How do you get cows to calve during the daylight hours? Researchers have found that cattle fed in the late afternoon are more likely to calve during the daylight hours.
    The exact reason is not known, but researchers have observed a marked decrease in rumen activity in the hours just before calving. By feeding at night, the cows' rumens are less active during daylight hours, thus contributing to a higher incidence of daylight calving.
    Studies have shown that cattle fed between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. calved between the hours of 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. 79 percent of the time.
    A similar study in Iowa showed that cattle fed at dusk calved between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. 85 percent of the time. So, I guess the question for you as producers is do you want to feed your cattle at night or pull calves during the calving season at night?
    The stages
    There are three different stages of calving for cattle.
    Stage 1 consists of the beginning of uterine contractions and entry of the calf into the birth canal. Heifers usually show more of these signs than mature cows. A stage of restlessness and isolation from the rest of the herd will occur.
    Stage 2 consists of passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Once the front feet appear, they should progress and never recede or disappear in normal delivery. The soles of the feet are pointed down, toes first. This is a normal presentation. If soles are down and heels are first, you have a posterior, or hind legs first, presentation. Recent studies show this process should only last for 60 minutes in first calf heifers and 30 minutes in mature cows.
    Stage 3 includes the passing of the fetal membranes and closure of the cervix.
    How to help
    How long is too long to wait before assisting cattle with birthing situations? Textbooks have traditionally stated that two to four hours was a normal time for the passing of the calf down the birth canal.
    New research shows a normal stage to be 30 to 60 minutes. New recommendations say that if a heifer is not making significant progress in stage 2 within 1 hour of the water bag breaking, try to give assistance if possible.
    Mature cows should be progressing within 30 minutes or assistance may be needed. Be sure to watch your cattle closely at delivery time and give them assistance if needed. Be sure you have skilled assistance readily available if needed.
    Immediately after birth be sure all airways are cleared of mucous and fetal fluids. The calf may need to be dried if the weather is excessively cold. Caution should be taken with first calf heifers not to apply too much human scent that could cause the calf to be rejected by the dam.
    Calving is a big part of a successful beef operation. Give it the attention it needs. It will assist you in making your beef cattle enterprise a profitable one.
    For more information on calving difficulties, call your local County Extension Service at 482-9764.

    Also on Franklin County Times
    ‘Seamless Summer’ feeds all Franklin County students
    A: Main, Z - News Main
    ‘Seamless Summer’ feeds all Franklin County...
    By Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
    June 4, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County School district will feed breakfast and lunch to all kids aged 18 and under this summer, whether they are affiliate...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Celebrating a century: Mildred Hood turns 100 years old
    Birthdays, Lifestyles
    Celebrating a century: Mildred Hood turns 100 ...
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 4, 2025
    Mildred Hood, a resident of Terrace Manor in Russellville, was born May 20, 1925. She turned 100 years old on May 20, 2025. She went to school in Wigg...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Rural Acres Garden Club celebrates 50 years
    Lifestyles, Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    Rural Acres Garden Club celebrates 50...
    June 4, 2025
    The Waco Rural Acres Garden Club was established in the fall of 1974. There were 16 charter members. Agnes Sugg served as its first president. Doris B...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    28-year veteran educator retires from RMS
    News, Russellville
    28-year veteran educator retires from RMS
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 4, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Longtime educator Diane Townley has retired after 28 years with Russellville City Schools. Her primary teaching focus was mathematics, mo...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Students test their skills in carpentry challenge
    News, Z - News Main
    Students test their skills in carpentry challenge
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 4, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – A hands-on carpentry competition recently gave building construction students from Franklin County Career Technical Center and Russellv...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Lawsuit abuse reform must be a top priority in 2026
    Columnists, News, Opinion
    Lawsuit abuse reform must be a top priority in 2026
    June 4, 2025
    As someone who had the honor of serving in the Alabama Legislature, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing our great state. Alaba...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Goggans signs cheer scholarship with UNA
    High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
    Goggans signs cheer scholarship with UNA
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 4, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Russellville High School graduate Ella Goggans will continue her cheerleading journey beyond high school, thanks to a scholarship from th...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Students benefit from Golden Tiger Bigs mentoring
    News, Z - News Main
    Students benefit from Golden Tiger Bigs mentoring
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 4, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – The Golden Tiger Bigs program matched three younger students with three older volunteers during the justcompleted spring semester. Part...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    ❮❯

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Latest Local News
    28-year veteran educator retires from RMS
    28-year veteran educator retires from RMS
    June 4, 2025
    Students test their skills in carpentry challenge
    Students test their skills in carpentry challenge
    June 4, 2025
    Lawsuit abuse reform must be a top priority in 2026
    Lawsuit abuse reform must be a top priority in 2026
    June 4, 2025
    Car wash to include old FCT building
    June 4, 2025
    Students benefit from Golden Tiger Bigs mentoring
    Students benefit from Golden Tiger Bigs mentoring
    June 4, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Answering call for children in need
    Answering call for children in need
    June 4, 2025
    Calendar Of Events
    June 4, 2025
    Car wash to include old FCT building
    June 4, 2025
    Obituaries
    June 4, 2025
    Birthdays
    June 4, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Goggans signs cheer scholarship with UNA
    Goggans signs cheer scholarship with UNA
    June 4, 2025
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    4 honored duringRHS Performing Arts Signing Day
    May 28, 2025
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    Longtime Russellville coach Tim Townley retires
    May 28, 2025
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    May 21, 2025
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    May 21, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © 2025, Franklin County Times