Notes From Nelson

According to Dr. Gerald Stokka, NDSU Extension Veterinarian, calves that are chilled prior to nursing during and following spring storms may need to be removed from the dam and provided external heat to reach normal body temperatures. Providing colostrum from the dam or frozen colostrum or colostrum replacement products is critical to reduce the risk of illness and death in chilled newborn calves. In most cases where the calf has been removed, warmed and fed, and then returned to the dam, the mother cow is able to recognize and re-bond with the calf.

Calves exhibiting normal behavior will nurs...