The Essential Do's and Don'ts of Managing Difficult Calvings

Tue, 26 May 2026 14:15:17 GMT

Difficult calvings can escalate quickly, but what producers do in the first hour can dramatically affect outcomes for both the cow and calf. In many cases, early recognition, proper restraint and timely veterinary intervention matter more than brute force.

“Once she starts actively pushing, if you’re not really seeing progress within half an hour to an hour, you should probably restrain her and figure out what is going on,” explains Rachel Loppe , veterinarian at Coastal Range Veterinary Services .

When managing a difficult calving and waiting for veterinary assistance, there are several practical steps that can improve outcomes and several common mistakes that can make the situation significantly worse.

Calving Tools to Have On Hand

Palpation sleeves
OB lube
Obstetrical chains
Clippers

Cattle Dystocia Intervention

1. Monitor and Recognize Stalled Labor

Watch closely for prolonged active straining without advancement. If progress has stalled for half an hour, do not hesitate to assess the cow and/or call the vet for help.

2. Safely Restrain and Examine the Cow

Secure the animal safely. If you are comfortable doing so, perform a basic vaginal exam to identify the issue. Always wear clean palpation sleeves. You are hoping for an anterior presentation, but this may not be the case if the cow is having difficulties.

Common abnormalities in calf presentation include:

Posterior presentation
Two legs forward with the head turned back
One or both limbs back with the head forward
Breech calves
Twins
Fetopelvic mismatch, where the calf is too large for the dam

(Illustrations: Oklahoma State University)

3. Apply Abundant Lubrication

“Use all of the lube,” Loppe advises.

Generously lubricate your glove and the tract to reduce friction, improve maneuverability and minimize trauma. Loppe notes that producers can use significant force when repositioning calves, but technique and caution matter.

“You do have to be mindful. Sharp things like teeth and hooves can cause lacerations in the uterus and to yourself,” she says.

Further, the type of lube does matter. J-Lube contains polyethylene polymer that causes an increased risk of peritonitis if you end up having to go to C-section and it gets into the abdomen. Use OB lube instead.

4. Attach Obstetrical Chains Using a Double Hitch

If you need to apply traction, do not use a single wrap, which concentrates dangerous pressure on one spot. Spread the pressure evenly across the hoof to prevent soft tissue damage and leg fractures.

“If you just do a simple singular wrap, there is a possibility that you’re going to put way too much pressure on one area. You do a double hitch so you have evenly spread pressure across the hoof when you’re pulling,” Loppe says.

5. Evaluate the “Go/No-Go” Birth Canal Rule

Before applying heavy mechanical traction, verify the calf’s anatomy can actually fit through the pelvic opening.

“If you can get the head and both shoulders into the birth canal engaged, it can come out the back end. If you can’t get both shoulders and the head there, do not jack it. You might get it out, but you’re probably going to hurt mom and baby,” Loppe advises.

6. Know When to Stop Pulling

“Nobody wants to go to C-section, but at the end of the day it potentially could be a lot easier and faster than messing around in there for the next two hours,” Loppe says.

If the head and shoulders cannot clear the canal, stop pulling immediately. Forcing a vaginal delivery past this point risks severe trauma or calf death, whereas a surgical intervention is often safer and more efficient.

7. Prepare the Cow for a C-Section

If a surgical delivery is required, maximize efficiency while the veterinarian is en route. Move the cow to a clean, well-lit, safe area with secure restraint and begin physical preparation if you have the tools.

“If they have clippers, they could start shaving that left side for me. If they wanted to be super helpful, they could even start scrubbing her,” Loppe says.

What Not to do with a Difficult Calving

Loppe stresses some of the most serious dystocia complications result not from the original presentation, but from delayed intervention or excessive force.

“It’s one thing to try to help. It’s another thing to keep pulling when nothing is changing,” she warns.

She also cautions producers against working bare-handed during calvings.

“The zoonotic risk is worth just putting some gloves on,” Loppe says.

Beyond protecting yourself, gloves and clean sleeves help reduce contamination introduced into the uterus during manipulation.

Ultimately, timely decision-making is one of the most important factors in achieving a positive outcome. Recognizing when progress has stopped and when veterinary intervention is needed can help improve survival, reduce trauma and shorten recovery time for both the cow and calf.

As Screwworm Inches Closer, When Could the U.S. Reopen the Southern Border to Cattle Imports?

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:49:10 GMT

A newly confirmed case of New World screwworm (NWS) in northern Mexico is renewing concern among U.S. cattle producers and policymakers, as the parasitic fly continues to inch closer to the U.S.-Mexico border.

As reported by Drovers, on Dec. 27, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a case of NWS in a 6-day-old calf with an umbilical lesion in the municipality of Llera, located in the state of Tamaulipas. The location is approximately 197 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, and a reminder that NWS is still a high threat to the U.S.

Critical Timing with Calving Season Approaching

NWS, which was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s through an extensive sterile fly program, poses a serious threat to livestock. The larvae infest open wounds, feeding on living tissue and often leading to severe injury or death if untreated. Calving season is considered a particularly vulnerable period due to natural points of entry such as navels and birthing injuries.

Seth Meyer, director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and former chief economist for USDA, says the new case raises a tremendous amount of concern as USDA remains vigilant on keeping NWS out of the U.S. But Meyer says the growing proximity of NWS complicates already difficult decisions for cattle producers at calving season , which is a critical time of the year.

“There are concerns not just from a consumer standpoint, but also about whether southern producers are willing to retain heifers during calving season if there’s a risk of fly exposure,” he says. “Calving is a point of access for these animals, and that risk matters.”

Those decisions could have longer-term implications for herd expansion and cattle supplies, Meyer notes. If producers decide the risk is too great and opt against retaining replacement heifers, it could tighten supplies further down the road.

“That’s the last thing you want,” Meyer says. “You don’t want people giving up on retaining heifers and turning away from herd rebuilding.”

The Possibility of Reopening the Southern Border

The U.S. most recently closed its southern border to Mexican cattle imports in May of 2025 due to the rapid spread of NWS in Mexico. There were additional closures and reopenings in July 2025 as the situation evolved ultimately halting trade again to protect U.S. livestock.

Here’s a timeline so far:

November 2024: NWS was first detected in southern Mexico, leading to initial border closures and trade disruptions.
Feb. 1, 2025: A temporary ban was lifted after agreements for inspections.
May 11, 2025: U.S Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins ordered an immediate suspension of imports due to NWS spreading closer to the border.
July 2025: A phased reopening began but was halted again after new NWS cases were found farther north, leading to another immediate closure of southern ports to protect American livestock.

Considering the cattle just south of the border are being vigilantly monitored and inspected, the bigger threat of NWS crossing the Southern border could be through wildlife . Still, as NWS gets closer, USDA is keeping the border closed and remaining cautious.

When could the U.S. reopen the border? That’s exactly what Farm Journal asked economists in the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor and the responses were extremely mixed. It’s important to note the survey was sent out prior to the most recent detection of NWS.

33% of economists say USDA could reopen the border in February 2026
25% say it could happen April through June
17% think the border could reopen July through September
And 17% were unsure.

For policymakers, the situation adds another layer of complexity as they balance animal health, trade and producer confidence. While officials stress that there is no immediate threat to the U.S. herd, the latest detection underscores the importance of surveillance, rapid response and continued cooperation between U.S. and Mexican animal health authorities.

As Meyer puts it: “There are a lot of balls in the air right now,” and preventing NWS from crossing the border remains a critical priority for the livestock industry on both sides.

Follow Farm Journal’s extensive coverage of the ongoing NWS situation.