Page 16 - MWC 3-31-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · March 31, 2022 · P16
Calving Distribution

Affects Herd Health

By Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

Preparing for calving sea- ing multiple rations, since nu-
son is always a busy time of tritional requirements should
year. Depending on the time be relatively uniform.
of year cows start calving will Furthermore, cows receiv-
determine what type of prepa- ing adequate nutrition main-
rations and facilities are need- tain an appropriate body con-
ed. Nonetheless, cows calving dition score. Cows should be
within a defined calving peri- managed to maintain a Body
od allow those preparations to Condition Score (BCS) of 5 to
be more focused on labor and 5.5 throughout the production
management. cycle to avoid compromising
Research shows cows calv- reproductive success. Cows in
ing earlier in the calving sea- early lactation have higher
son remain in the herd lon- nutrient requirements, and
ger than their herd mates therefore, require a greater
that calve later, but also raise quality and quantity of feed.
heavier calves that out-per- When the majority of cows are
form their younger counter- calving around a consolidat-
parts. However, an additional ed time point, supplementing
benefit of a defined calving the increased feed required to
season is the increased ability meet requirements is stream-
to manage the health of both lined and consistent. This al-
cow and calf. lows for more accurate alloca-

Earlier Calving Equals tion of feed and helps simplify
Better Health maintaining a more-consistent
National benchmarks body condition score across
suggest 63% of the cowherd the herd. It’s important to re-
member that even with a con-
should calve in the first 21
days of the calving season, solidated calving season and
the correct quality and quan-
87% by 42 days, and 96% by
63 days. Extending the calving tity of feed, without adequate
bunk space (2 ft./hd.), social
season beyond these parame-
ters compromises a producer’s challenges between animals
can occur, and cows can fall be-
ability to capture the maxi-
mum value for a set of calves hind. If competition between
animals continues, managing
under most management sce-
narios. One major benefit to a younger females separately
should be considered to mini-
front-loaded calving season is
the ease of allocating and de- mize the issue and ensure con-
sistent feed delivery.
livering feed resources. Cows
calving at similar times allow Colostrum
more cows to be in similar pro- When the calving season
duction, which in turn allows is consolidated, nutritional
feed resources to be fed more requirements are more syn-
accurately across the herd and chronous across the herd, and
minimizes the need for balanc- these benefits extend beyond