Short answer: the Beef Cattle Research Council's calving checklist (January 2025) lists colostrum, electrolytes, bottles and stomach tubes, record-keeping supplies, calf tags and identification, and supplies for assisting with difficult calving such as "palpation sleeves, antiseptic soap, lubrication, calving chains". It also says to talk to your veterinarian about vaccines, medications, vitamins or mineral supplements for your calves. When and how to assist a calving, and what goes into a calf, are questions for your veterinarian.
What BCRC's calving checklist includes
In its post "Ready, Set, Calve: How to Prepare Yourself and Your Beef Operation for the Upcoming Calving Season" (January 15, 2025), BCRC suggests taking inventory of calving supplies before the season starts. Its list: colostrum; electrolytes; bottles and stomach tubes; record-keeping supplies; a talk with your veterinarian about vaccines, medications, vitamins or mineral supplements; calf tags and identification; and supplies for assisting with difficult calving. The sections below list what we carry in each group.
Sleeves, gloves and lubricant we list
- Sleeves and gloves: APE ob/ai glove 35" long by 32µm thick blue 100/pk · APE ob/ai glove 39" long by 32µm thick brown 100/pk · Polypro obstetrical gloves 32 micron 10 pack
- Lubricant: Kerbl VetGel lubricating gel 1L · Kerbl VetGel lubricating gel 5L · Ideal Animal Health PolyLube 283.5 g · Coburn Professional AI Lube Gel, 236 ml
Ask your veterinarian which antiseptic to keep for calving.
Calving chains, straps, handles and pullers we list
- Chains and handles: Cattle Boss Obstetric chain 76cm (30") length · Cattle Boss Obstetric chain 114cm (45") length · Cattle Boss Obstetric chain 152cm (60") length · Obstetric chain handle with polygrip
- Straps and snare: Magrath nylon and chain OB calf strap - 52" · Springer Magrath nylon OB calf straps · Ideal Calf Snare
- Calf pullers: Ideal Calf Eze Calf Puller · Ideal calf puller Dr. Franks · Ideal Ratchet-Style Calf Puller
Ask your veterinarian to show you how and when to use chains or a calf puller, and call them early when a calving is not progressing.
Bottles, nipples and tube feeders
Our guide Calf and Lamb Bottles: Snap-On vs Screw-On Nipples, Sizes and Spare Parts covers the bottles, nipples, holders and spare parts we list. Tube (esophageal) feeders and drenchers are on our bottles and drenchers page; a tube feeder is a different tool from a bottle, so ask your veterinarian whether one is needed and to show you how to use it.
Colostrum products we list
SCC Bovine Dried Colostrum Instant Mix 350 g · First Start 100 La Belle Bovine IgG Colostrum Replacer · First Start La Belle Bovine IgG Colostrum. Follow the package directions, and ask your veterinarian which product to keep on hand.
Calf tags and identification
For approved tags versus visual management tags, see our guide Cattle Ear Tags in Canada: Approved Tags vs Visual Management Tags.
After calving: castration and dehorning
- Calf Castration: Bands, Burdizzo or Knife? What the BCRC and the Beef Code Say
- Dehorning Calves: Paste, Hot Iron or Barnes Dehorner?
Related guides
- Cattle Needle Size Chart: Gauge, Length, Syringes and Injection Sites
- Electric Cattle Prods in Canada: What the Beef Code Says
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council, "Ready, Set, Calve: How to Prepare Yourself and Your Beef Operation for the Upcoming Calving Season", beefresearch.ca, January 15, 2025 (section 2, "Do inventory on your supplies needed for calving"), read October 27, 2026.