Improved weather and ground conditions has seen more and more farmers looking to get stock out to grass and catching up on fieldwork.

However, the downside of getting such tasks up to date is that suckler farmers can take their eye off the last few cows that have still to calve.

As attention turns to getting other jobs completed, checking in-calf cows tends to happen less frequently.

Miss a cow

This is when it is easy to miss a cow that goes into labour and experiences a difficult calving.

By the time assistance is available, it can be too late and there is a greater chance of losing a calf.

Don’t lose focus on the last few cows that have still to calve

While fieldwork and other jobs have to be completed when weather permits, make a point of checking in on cows early morning, lunchtime, dinner and evening.

If you are unable to commit to this, ask a family member to check in on cows during the daytime for you.

Dead calves are worth nothing, so don’t lose focus on the last few cows that have still to calve.

Calving cameras really come into their own at this time of year, as cows can be checked remotely on smartphones when herd owners are off farm.

Five things to consider when reseeding

Setting up the spreader to spread sustainably

Don't lose focus on later-calving cows as fieldwork increases

With farmers spending more time getting fieldwork up to date, it is easy to take your eye off the later-calving cows in the herd. This greatly increases the risk of losing calves at birth.