Calving season is once again getting underway on farms across Ireland. Calving is one of the busiest and most demanding times of the farming year, and good preparation is essential to protect animal welfare, farm safety and farmer wellbeing.
This guide is the first in our spring calving series and focuses on calving essentials, from equipment and housing to colostrum management, labour planning and safety. Taking time to prepare now can significantly reduce stress, avoid emergencies and help ensure a strong start for both cows and calves.
Why Preparation Matters
Preparation and forward planning play a critical role in:
- Maintaining animal health and welfare
- Reducing pressure during peak calving weeks
- Improving farm safety
- Allowing you to focus on timely decision-making rather than reacting to problems
- With labour demands, paperwork and long hours all coinciding, having your calving essentials ready in advance can make a real difference.
Calving Equipment and Essentials
Before calving begins, it is important to review all calving equipment and ensure everything is clean, functional and easily accessible. Basic equipment such as a calving jack, clean nylon ropes, a securely fitted calving gate, arm-length disposable gloves, access to warm water and suitable lubricant should all be checked in advance.
Where calving cameras or monitoring technology are used, these should be tested ahead of time to avoid failures during critical moments. Having confidence in your equipment allows you to act quickly and calmly when assistance is required.
Post-calving supplies are just as important. Items such as iodine or navel treatment, feeding bottles, thermometers, calf jackets or heat lamps, electrolytes and stomach tubes should be organised and ready for immediate use. Keeping these essentials in a designated area can save valuable time during busy calving days and nights.
Colostrum Management and Calf Health
Colostrum management remains one of the most critical factors in ensuring calf health. Calves are born without immunity, as antibodies are not transferred from cow to calf during pregnancy. Early and adequate intake of colostrum provides vital protection against disease and infection.
Ideally, calves should receive colostrum from their own dam as soon as possible after birth. However, every farm should have a backup plan in place. This may include storing surplus colostrum from older or higher-yielding cows or having a suitable colostrum substitute available. Planning for these situations in advance reduces stress and improves outcomes when challenges arise.
Organisation, Paperwork and Use of Technology
The calving period often coincides with a heavy administrative workload. Ensuring calf tags are ordered and readily available can prevent delays, while having leg bands, spray paint or tape to mark cows can help keep track of animals during busy periods. It is also advisable to have key animal health treatments such as mastitis tubes, calcium and magnesium stocked and easily accessible.
Technology can play a valuable role in easing the administrative burden. Farm management apps allow farmers to register calves as they are born, helping to keep paperwork up to date and reducing the risk of errors. This can free up time to focus on essential animal care and day-to-day farm tasks during peak weeks.
Housing Facilities and Shed Preparation
All calving and calf-rearing accommodation should be thoroughly prepared before the season begins. Housing should be cleared out, cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of disease carrying over from the previous year. This step is particularly important where calves will be housed for extended periods.
A dedicated calving pen with adequate space and good lighting is essential for safe handling and observation. Where possible, a separate area for sick calves should also be available to help limit the spread of infection. Clean access to fresh water, along with well-maintained troughs, buckets and feeders, should not be overlooked, as these are used intensively during the calving season.
Farm Safety During Calving
Calving season presents increased safety risks, particularly as freshly calved cows can become protective and aggressive. Remaining alert to animal behaviour and ensuring that everyone working or living on the farm understands the risks is essential. Good facilities, safe handling practices and clear escape routes can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Organisation plays a key role in safety, allowing animals to be secured properly and tasks to be carried out with minimal risk.
Planning Labour Support in Advance
The physical and mental demands of calving season can quickly build up, especially on farms with high calving rates. Assessing labour requirements in advance allows farmers to plan for additional support where needed. Having trained help available can reduce fatigue, support animal welfare and improve overall farm safety during this demanding time.
Farmers who anticipate needing extra assistance are advised to make arrangements early, as availability can become limited once the season is underway.
Looking After Yourself During Calving
Finally, it is important for farmers to look after their own wellbeing. Getting adequate rest ahead of calving, recognising personal limits and seeking help when workloads become overwhelming can make a significant difference. Preparing in advance and knowing support is available can help ease the pressure during one of the busiest times of the year.
Taking time to prepare your calving essentials ahead of the 2026 season is one of the most effective ways to ensure a smoother, safer and more successful calving period. From equipment and housing to colostrum management, organisation and labour planning, early preparation allows farmers to focus on animal care and timely decision-making when it matters most.
Calving can be demanding, so getting as much rest as possible in advance of the busy weeks is important. If workloads begin to feel overwhelming, seeking support early can make a real difference. Farmers who anticipate needing help this spring are encouraged to contact their local FRS office in good time, as trained and experienced operators can provide valuable support during peak calving periods. Click here to contact your local office.
For those looking for full-time or part-time agricultural work, calving season also presents an opportunity to get involved with FRS. With a wide range of roles available across farm services, FRS offers flexible work options for people with farming experience who want to build or continue a career in agriculture. Whether you are a farmer in need of extra support this spring or someone interested in working in agri services, getting in touch early is the best way to plan ahead. Click here for more information.