Mud, Motherhood, & Minerals

Meggan Urevig
Feb 26
3 min read

Calving and lambing season is equal parts miracle and mayhem.

There’s nothing quite like early spring on a Minnesota farm. The snow is almost gone, the mud is definitely here, and the barn is full of mamas who are either calmly chewing cud… or acting like they’ve never seen a baby before in their lives.

If you’ve ever wished for barn cameras so you could sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time — you’re not alone. Of course, the one time you run inside for coffee is the exact moment a heifer decides it’s time to deliver in the only frozen mud patch left on the farm. And somehow that calf always manages to wedge itself just enough that you’re out there in chore boots, negotiating life choices before breakfast thinking maybe you could work for "the man." But through the chaos, one thing makes all the difference: nutrition.

Fueling the Mothers

Late gestation and early lactation are the most demanding times in a cow or ewe’s year. They aren’t just maintaining themselves — they’re creating life and preparing to produce colostrum and milk.

In early spring, pasture isn’t ready yet. Forage quality may be lower after winter storage, so supplementation matters.

Key nutritional priorities:

High-Quality Protein:14–16% protein for cows in late gestation and early lactation (sheep often slightly higher). Protein supports colostrum production, milk flow, and uterine recovery. Alfalfa hay, high-quality legume mixes, or a protein supplement can bridge the gap.
Energy-Dense Feed: Cold stress + lactation = higher energy needs. If body condition drops now, breeding performance suffers later.
Minerals (Especially Calcium, Magnesium & Selenium):Proper mineral intake reduces risks of milk fever, weak newborns, and retained placentas. Free-choice, well-balanced mineral should be available at all times — not just when we remember to fill the tub.
Clean Water: Milk is mostly water. Frozen tanks = reduced intake = reduced production.

Supporting the Newborns

Good nutrition for mom equals strong starts for babies.

Calves and lambs need:

High-quality colostrum within the first 2 hours
A warm, dry place out of the wind
Strong vigor (which starts with mom’s mineral and protein status)

Weak babies often trace back to underfed mothers.

And Then There Are First-Year Moms…

Ah yes — the heifers and ewe lambs who technically had nine months to prepare for motherhood and still seem shocked when it happens.

They may:

Forget to lick the baby
Walk away like they’ve misplaced something
Or stare at you like you planned this inconvenience personally

Our first instinct is to ship them but after a few deep breaths, we can logically process that these girls need extra nutritional attention because they’re still growing themselves. If anyone benefits from quality protein and balanced minerals, it’s the teenage moms of the pasture. And then maybe we still ship them?!