With the calving season due to start on many farms in just a number of weeks, the downtime between now and calving is a good opportunity to begin preparations for the busy season ahead.

To allow for a more successful calving season and so that nothing is forgotten, here are a number of things which can be done and ticked off the to-do list.

The calf-rearing and calving areas should be cleaned out and disinfected well in advance of calving. This allows cleaning products to dry out and break down any carry over of infection from one year to the next.

If there was a disease issue on the farm in previous years, steam cleaning along with using disinfectants such as Cyclex or Kenocox, should help to prevent the issue this coming year.

Also ensure that all the gates; drinkers; troughs; and calf rearing equipment are in working order and disinfected ready for the season ahead.

Have the following materials/products in the farmyard before calving begins:

Once the cows are dried off, it’s a good opportunity to get the parlour serviced.

The calving jack; calf taggers; along with any other calving equipment should be checked to ensure it’s in good working order.

Gather up all reels and fence posts; make any roadway or fence repairs that may be needed and create a grass budget and a spring rotation planner (SRP).

Finally, if 2020 has highlighted anything it is that your health is your wealth. With farming being such a physically demanding job, now may be a good time to pay your GP a visit for a full check up.