I have been asked a few times, “how do you know when a cow is going to calve?” By now, “I just know.” In reality, there is a whole cascade of events that lead up to parturition in cattle. I remember as a kid we had a crazy red cow behind the house that my dad kept waiting for her to calve. I would walk out to the pasture with him to look for a new calf. After a few days of this, I told my dad she would have her calf that night and sure enough, she did. I believe that is the first time I remember paying attention to the signs of calving.

Other than a calf lying beside the cow, how do I know parturition (calving) will happen soon?

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Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.