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As we continue the countdown to our 2025 calving season, we are reminded of last year's events. One of our favorite stories from last year comes from 18P, otherwise known as Rita. Side note— 99% of our cows don't get named. The ones who do have a story behind them.
Rita was born in late January 2024 in the wee hours of the morning. On the day she was born, the temperature was well below freezing and the wind never blew less than 20 mph, making a terrible combination for fresh calves.
Due to the extreme cold, we were forced to put Rita into a calf warmer very soon after she was born. The calf warmer (pictured below) is an absolute lifesaver during calving season. It is shaped like a doghouse and, while plugged into a generator, gently blows warm air onto the calf. This warms and dries all areas and sides of the calf.
By placing the warmer on a short trailer, we are able to bring it right up to the fresh baby using a 4-wheeler or ATV, then place the new calf in the warmer. The cow is still able to smell her calf, which helps prevent confusion after the calf comes out. The warmer helps save ears from being frost-bitten and on very cold days, completely saves the life of the calf. This piece of equipment is truly invaluable to us.
Rita was placed into a calf warmer very quickly after she was born. She was still wet from fluids and due to the extreme wind and cold, would not have survived being out in the open. Warming her was our best option. After a few hours when she was all warm and dry, we took her out of the warmer to let her nurse. Unfortunately, a risk you run when warming a calf so quickly after they are born is maternal confusion. Rita's mom was not bonded with her and therefore, was not looking for her or allowing her to nurse. This is undesirable, but happens occasionally. When the alternative was a frozen calf, we had to take our chances.
Our next plan of action involved our Arrowquip Calving Pen, pictured below.
We walked 18P (the cow) into the calving pen, then swept the tail gate around to walk her through. She caught herself in the headgate and we secured the panels. Next, Garrett walked a wobbly (but warm) Rita up to her mom. We opened the side access panel to allow Rita to reach 18P's udder.
Rita having her first meal (2024)
Keeping 18P still and directing Rita to her mom's udder allowed Rita to drink her fill of the colostrum that is so important for a calf's health. Additionally, this let 18P have time to smell her calf and become familiar with her. Nursing also stimulates the uterus to contract in order for the cow to "clean out" and pass the placenta, which is the final stage of labor and very important for the health of the cow.
After Rita got her belly full, we kept mom and baby in a smaller, separate pen so we could keep a closer eye on the pair. After a couple more nursing sessions in the calving pen, 18P allowed Rita to nurse without our help, and Rita thrived.
Rita is a great success story. She is not the first calf we have used this method with, and she will not be the last. The goal is always to keep a calf with their mother, but sometimes the process needs a little bit of help.
After her handling in early life, Rita developed quite the personality and familiarity with humans. Even as a small calf she would constantly come see Garrett when he went to tag another calf in her pen. Now almost a year old, she still loves to come and see us.
Elisa and Rita (March 2024)
We're thankful for Arrowquip's attention to detail and their care for the health and safety of ranchers and animals alike as they design their products. Without the calving pen so close to where Rita and her mom were, we would have had to walk them across the homeplace to get to the squeeze chute, wasting valuable time and energy. The calving pen allowed us to quickly and easily care for Rita several times during her first days of life, and ultimately allowed a calf to stay with her mom.
Elisa, Beth, and Rita (January 2025)
These days, Rita hangs out with Beth and a couple of our other yearlings known as "the projects". She still has quite the personality and will be a recognizable friend for years to come. We love you, Rita!
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