Gearing up for calving... autumn-style

A cow in the dry period is like an athlete in pre-season, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Many are preparing for autumn calving, make sure you have everything ready for action indoors should you need it.

Beef and dairy autumn-calving herds are gearing up for busy season.

Obviously, both systems have slightly different management around this time, but the principles of both are still broadly similar: We need a healthy calf following an uneventful birth, a healthy cow that avoids metabolic issues, and above all produces the required milk post-calving while going in-calf again easily.