Getting Ready for Spring Calving: What Really Matters
Spring calving season has a habit of creeping up faster than expected. One minute Winter feels endless and the next, you have a shed full of heavily pregnant cows and heifers. A bit of preparation now, can make the difference between a stressful few weeks and a smooth, well-managed calving block.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
One of the first things worth checking is your cows body condition scores. Cows and Heifers need to calve down in the right body condition, not too thin and not carrying excess weight. Cows that are under-conditioned often struggle to milk well, while over-fat cows are more prone to calving difficulties and metabolic problems. For dairy cows, the target BCS for calving is typically 2.5-3.0. We’d recommend maintaining condition, rather than allowing large BCS gains in late gestation. Remember that target BCS loss post-calving should be no more than 0.5.
Adjusting rations a month or so before calving, allows you to correct issues before calving begins. Maintaining body condition between calving and the breeding window is also crucial, as fertility is closely influenced by a cow’s nutritional status.
Feed & Forage
Feeding plays a major role in setting your cows up for success. In the final weeks before calving, diets should focus on maintaining body condition, while supporting rumen health and mineral balance. We offer a specific range of compound feeds and blends, specially formulated for both dairy and suckler replacements, allowing producers to target a first calving at 24 months of age, making the business more profitable in the long run.
These diets are designed to promote the growth of a strong body and pelvis, to support udder development and ensure that heifers can join the herd as efficiently as possible and in the best of health. The aim is to target frame and tissue growth, whilst avoiding high fat deposition, which in turn can lead to calving difficulties and subsequent lactation performance. The rations are specifically balanced with minerals and vitamins to ensure the correct trace element demands are met to boost colostrum quality and to provide optimum heifer growth, immunity and cow longevity.
The diets are high energy which is sourced from digestible fibre, starch and sugar, essential for maintaining a healthy rumen whilst also targeting high growth rates. They also contain excellent levels of metabolizable protein to support lean tissue and growth.
Our diets are available in 18%, 20% or 22% protein in both compounds and blends to suit a range of feeding systems and preferences. Compounds are sometimes preferred to prevent sorting and to ensure that all animals receive all the required nutrients in every nut, whereas blends work well in a TMR system and allow a flexible inclusion of ingredients which can be beneficial where home grown cereals are available.
Good-quality forage should always form the base of the ration, supplemented where needed to meet energy and protein demands.
A cow’s energy demand increases sharply after calving, often rising to around twice the level required during the dry period. For spring-calving herds, aligning calving dates with the peak of grass growth can help meet this surge in demand. Clean water access is just as important, as water consumption increases significantly after calving.
Housing & Colostrum
Facilities also play a major role during this period. Clean, dry, well-bedded calving pens reduce disease pressure and make monitoring easier. Good lighting is often overlooked but makes night checks safer and more efficient. Taking the time to prepare sheds properly before calving starts saves problems later on.
Colostrum management is another critical area. The first few hours of a calf’s life are vital, and feeding high-quality colostrum quickly gives calves the immunity boost they need. Having clean equipment and a backup colostrum supply available is good practice, especially when multiple cows calve within a short timeframe.
It is also worth checking equipment and supplies before the rush begins. From calving aids and gloves to disinfectants and rehydration gels, being organised helps reduce pressure when workloads increase.
Finally, don’t forget to look ahead to turnout. Simple planning of grazing rotations, checking fencing and ensuring reliable water access will make the move from shed to pasture smoother for both cows and calves. Spring calving will always be demanding, but good preparation, sensible feeding strategies and strong management routines can significantly improve outcomes. A little extra effort now, pays dividends once the calving block is in full swing.
- 9th March 2026
