The Highland Guide: Cold Weather Calving Best Practices 

Calving in cold weather isn’t just a seasonal challenge—it requires a precise blend of preparation, nutrition, and hands-on management to ensure the best outcomes for both cows and calves. In this blog, we’re diving into the specifics and hard facts behind successful winter calving for Highland, integrating the latest research and best practices from industry experts.

 

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1. Rigorous Pre-Season Planning

A. Timeline and Equipment Checks

6–8 Weeks Pre-Calving:
Begin your preparations by thoroughly inspecting equipment and facilities. Calving areas should be inspected for adequate drainage and structural integrity to withstand winter weather. Ensure that windbreaks, portable shelters, and supplemental heat sources (like propane heaters or radiant heaters) are fully functional.

Calving Kit Inventory: A well-stocked calving kit is essential for ensuring a smooth calving process, especially in cold weather. Below is a comprehensive list of items to have on hand, incorporating recommendations from leading cattle experts: Below is a comprehensive list of items to have on hand:

Calving Kit:

•Sterile disinfectants (e.g., iodine solutions) for sanitizing the umbilical cord and preventing infections. This is the number one area for Joint Ill and E-coli infections to invade. 

•OB sleeves and palpation gloves for maintaining cleanliness during interventions.

•Mild antiseptic solutions for cleaning the vulva and surrounding areas before assisting with delivery.

•Calving ropes and obstetrical chains to assist in difficult births, ensuring they are clean and properly maintained. (Know how to use them before you Need them!)

•Clean towels for Drying and cleaning newborn calves 

•Rectal Thermometers to monitor calf body temperature and identify hypothermia early. Rectal thermometers give the most accurate internal temperature.

•Portable heat sources such as blow drier, warming boxes, infrared heaters, or calf blankets to help prevent cold stress in newborns.*Heat lamps can be a fire hazard 

•Calf blankets to provide added warmth in cold conditions (45℉ degrees or less). It is imperative that the calf Not get wet under the coat, either from sweat, rain or snow. Large or XL dog coats can work in a pinch. Dog coats are best for heifers due to the typical under the belly strapping. 

•Colostrum Replacers and high-quality colostrum supplements to provide immediate nutrition if the calf is unable to nurse Use REPLACER over a supplement. Also needs to be for Bovine or Whey based NOT soy.  

•Nasal aspirators to clear mucus from the calf’s airway and promote easier breathing. A piece of straw used to tickle the inside of the nose can trigger an inhaul reflex. 

•Electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration in weak or cold-stressed calves.

•Feeding tubes to prevent dehydration by insuring weak or cold-stressed calves get adequate nutrition and immune response from colostrum administered within the first 24 hours. The ability to adsorb immunoglobulins lessens with each hour within the first 24 hours of life. 

•Calf boluses or probiotic paste to boost gut health and immunity post-birth.

•Dip cups for navel care to apply iodine or chlorhexidine for infection prevention.

•Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries for late-night or low-visibility calving situations.

•Notebook or calving log to record important details such as birth time, calf weight, and health observations.

•Ear Tags or some other form of identification  

•Vet contact information readily available for quick consultation in case of complications.

•Emergency medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium solutions, or injectable antibiotics (under veterinary guidance) to address postpartum complications.

B. Health and Veterinary Checks

Pre-Calving Vet Visit:
At least 4 weeks before the expected calving period, schedule a veterinary check-up to evaluate cow body condition scores (BCS), ensure vaccinations are up to date, and administer any necessary dewormers or mineral boosters. Cows should have a BCS of 5–6 for optimal calving success (North Dakota State University Extension, 2023). As well address any pre-calving concerns with the Vet.  

 

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2. Enhanced Shelter, Bedding, and Environmental Management

A. Designated and Modified Calving Areas

Optimized Shelter Layout:
Research indicates that sheltered calving areas can reduce the incidence of hypothermia in neonates by up to 30%. Use portable windbreaks or temporary barns designed with low roofs and solid sides to block cold winds. Position these areas on the leeward side of natural barriers (e.g., trees or hills) to reduce wind exposure by up to 50% (University of Minnesota Extension, 2023).

Ground Conditions and Drainage:
A bedding depth of at least 12 inches of dry straw or sawdust is recommended to prevent direct contact with frozen ground. Moist bedding increases the risk of frostbite in calves, particularly affecting ears and tails (Iowa State University, 2023). Muddy ground also increase the risk of bacterial transmission through the naval.

B. Temperature Management

Calf Temperature Guidelines:
Newborn calves are particularly vulnerable when temperatures drop below 36°F (2°C). Providing supplemental heat (e.g. heated floors, jackets) during the first 6 hours after birth can reduce cold stress by 20–25% (USDA, 2023).

Wind Chill Factor:
Even moderate winds (10–15 mph) can lower the effective temperature by 20°F, significantly increasing hypothermia risks. Calves born in exposed, windy conditions are at a 60% higher risk of neonatal mortality (Montana State University, 2023).

 

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3. Precise Nutritional and Energy Management

A. Dietary Adjustments for Calving Cows

Increased Energy Requirements:
During extreme cold, cows require 10–20% more energy intake to maintain body temperature and sustain pregnancy. Diets should include high-quality forage and energy-dense supplements like corn or soybean meal, ensuring a minimum of 16% crude protein (University of Wisconsin, 2023). Calves will also require additional feed when it is cold as well, just to maintain body heat. 

Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation:
Balanced mineral intake is essential to prevent calving complications. Selenium, copper, and Vitamin E are particularly critical, reducing the risk of retained placentas by 15–20% (Iowa State University, 2023).

B. Calf Nutrition – Colostrum and Beyond

Immediate Colostrum Intake:
For optimal immunity, calves should ingest at least 10% of their body weight in colostrum within the first 4 hours after birth. If a calf does not nurse within this timeframe, it should be given warmed colostrum Replacers via bottle or esophageal feeder (USDA, 2023). Calves MUST be warm before colostrum intake! If not warm calf to a body temperature of 102. 

 

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4. Intensive Monitoring and Swift Intervention

A. Frequent Health and Calving Checks

Regular Inspections:
Increase checks to every 2–3 hours as cows approach their expected calving date.

Emergency Protocols:
Dystocia (difficult birth) should be suspected if active labor exceeds 1 hour without progress. If intervention is needed, ensure clean, lubricated calving ropes or chains are used properly (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023). Do NOT wait! 2 lives depend on it!!

B. Record Keeping

Detailed Logs:
Document calving dates, interventions, weather conditions, and calf outcomes. This data helps optimize future cold-weather calving strategies (North Dakota State University, 2023).

 

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5. Post-Calving Care 

 Immediate Post-Birth Actions

Drying and Warming:
Immediately dry the calf using clean, dry towels or blow dry. If necessary, place in calf warming boxes for additional support (Montana State University, 2023).

B. Alternative Shelter and Bedding Solutions

If commercial calf hutches aren’t an option due to cost, consider these low-cost alternatives:

•Repurposed wooden crates or insulated shipping containers with proper ventilation.

•Straw bale enclosures to create wind-protected micro-environments.

•Calf coats or blankets to retain body heat in extreme cold conditions.

•Grouping calves together in small, enclosed areas to allow natural body heat conservation.

These solutions, when combined with dry bedding and proper ventilation, can significantly reduce cold stress without the need for expensive hutches.

 

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6. Recognizing the Signs of Labor

Early recognition of labor is crucial for a smooth calving process.

Highland cattle often exhibit clear behavioral and physical changes in the hours leading up to birth:

•Restlessness & Isolation: The cow may separate herself from the herd and appear agitated.

•Frequent Getting Up and Lying Down: This indicates discomfort as contractions intensify.

•Swollen Udder & Waxing Teats: The udder fills significantly, and waxy colostrum may appear on the teats.

•Mucus Discharge: Thick mucus hanging from the vulva signals cervical dilation.

•Raised Tail & Visible Contractions: Repeated tail raising and abdominal contractions show active labor is beginning.

Knowing these early signs allows producers to prepare intervention tools and monitor closely for complications.

Want to learn more? Our next blog post will take a deeper dive into Recognizing the Stages of Labor and When to Intervene for a Safe Calving Experience—stay tuned!

 

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Conclusion

Successful cold weather calving requires a blend of proactive planning, precision in nutritional management, and diligent monitoring. By incorporating science-backed strategies—like increasing energy intake by 15%, maintaining 12 inches of dry bedding, and ensuring colostrum intake within 4 hours—you can significantly reduce complications and improve outcomes for your Highland cattle.

Just remember calves need to be Dry, Warm and Fed! 

At The Highland Guide, we are committed to providing fact-based, actionable insights for both new and experienced cattle managers navigating the challenges of winter calving. Have cold weather calving experiences or questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out—we're here to help!

(University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023; USDA, 2023; Iowa State University, 2023; Montana State University, 2023; North Dakota State University, 2023; University of Minnesota Extension, 2023).