Calving at the Woodjam Ranch
Calving season is here—a time of long days, sleepless nights, and some of the most rewarding moments on the ranch. There’s nothing quite like watching a momma cow bring new life into the world, seeing her instincts take over as she cleans and nurtures her newborn. It’s a season that requires patience, a deep trust in nature, and a keen eye for the subtle signs that something might not be quite right. Over the years, we’ve learned that the best approach to calving is often to step back, observe, and let the cows do what they were born to do. But when intervention is necessary, staying calm, quiet, and respectful of the process can make all the difference.
These tips come from our own experience on the ranch, and we hope they’re helpful for fellow cattle producers. However, we are not veterinarians, and this is not medical advice. If you’re ever unsure about a situation, consulting with a trusted veterinarian is always the best course of action.
Below, we’re sharing some of our key tips for a smooth and successful calving season—from recognizing distress signals to ensuring calves get the healthiest start possible.
Calving Tips
Ensuring a smooth and healthy calving season takes preparation, patience, and trust in nature. Here are some of our key tips for supporting momma cows and their newborns:
Give them space. A large pasture allows cows to move freely and find their own quiet, hidden spots to calve in peace.
Prioritize cleanliness. Keeping calving areas clean and dry is essential for preventing illness and promoting healthy calves.
Trust mother nature. A cow’s natural instincts are powerful. When given the chance, most will calve and bond with their babies just as nature intended—our job is often just to observe and step in only when truly needed.
Watch for subtle signs of distress. A cow in trouble may show signs like restlessness, an inability to settle and push, or even a slight crook in her tail. Recognizing these early cues can make a big difference.
Stay calm when assisting. If a cow is struggling, keep your energy low and movements quiet. Avoid direct eye contact—looking slightly lower can help keep her from feeling threatened.
Move pairs to clean pasture early. To give calves the healthiest start, we turn out mom and baby to fresh pasture at about 2 days old. This helps reduce disease risk and keeps the herd thriving.
Products We Use
As a reminder, we are not veterinarians and this is not medical advice
Over the years, we’ve found a few must-have products that help with healing, recovery, and smooth calving experiences.
Arnica Homeopathy Pellets – Available at most health food stores, these help with bleeding, pain, and quicker recovery after a hard birth. Just place about five pellets on a wooden or plastic spoon (not in your hand) and insert into the cow’s vaginal opening. We’ve noticed it even helps with rebreeding success!
Tallow Ranch Hand Cream – Our hands take a beating during calving season with all the washing, and this keeps them soft and protected. Plus, it’s a game-changer for chapped cow teats that need extra care. Available in the shop!
Colloidal Silver – This is a staple in our calving toolkit. We use it to clean umbilical cords, treat infections, rinse out a cow after a prolapse, and even drench sick calves. Truly an all-purpose healer! You can grab some in my shop.
Vamos Cowboy Snot – If you’re dealing with a reluctant mom, this is a lifesaver for calf claiming. Just rub some on the cow’s nose and around the back of the calf, and they’ll be mothered up in no time. Available in the shop!
Our Infamous Calf Electrolyte Recipe
Still not veterinarians….in case you forgot!
2 cups colloidal silver
1/2 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp baking soda
2-3 Tbsp sugar
Mix into 2 L of warm water and give to the calf 3-4x per day until better.
Calving season is a time of intuition, patience, and deep respect for life. Wishing all the ranchers out there a safe and successful calving season!
