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RANCHERS The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P42
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Guptill recommends using perform better on grass. “I’m Calving in May gives these able to run 75% of the cows
a sharp pencil on the amount okay with some smaller birth ranchers a better sense of you have right now in a sea-
of savings possible, rath- weight calves in the spring pasture health, too. Check- son-long grazing program,”
er than simply ranching by because it’s a little easier ing calves in May provides he says. “Find a mentor with
the winter calving tradition. on everybody. We want calm an excellent chance to learn experience and figure out
“Since we can’t make our cattle that move easily and what’s going on in your grass, how many animals you can
calves worth more, we must cull animals with feisty atti- what plants the animals are graze in 365 days. Then as
raise calves with fewer in- tudes.” targeting and how pastures you gain experience, you’ll be
puts. And the fastest way we Calf and grass health benefits are holding up, Blaalid says. able to run more cows but not
can do that is to calve later Vet bills are another cost “We’re working hard to man- double your herd in less than
in the season and cut your savings. Blaalid says they’re age the invasive grasses for five years.”
feed costs. That takes a lot of not treating as many ani- early grazing benefit while Watch other ranchers de-
stress off the family and your mals. “Having calves on fresh encouraging more native scribe their journey in the
life as well,” he says. green grass starts them off plants through grazing man- video “Calving on Grass: SD
Calf size isn’t the main on the right foot and helps agement. And we have added Ranchers on the Benefits of
concern with Guptill. “You keep them healthy and gain- some cover crop grazing to Alternative Calving Dates.”
don’t have to have that big ing weight all grazing season. supply more nutrients for Learn more details in this
March calf. My May calves We don’t have to do much to the cattle and to build soil Calving on Grass Q&A and
are always lighter, but I’m the calves after they’re born health,” he adds. Fact Sheet. And find mentors
selling more pounds of beef in May.” Start with a plan and listen to ranchers dis-
because I don’t lose as many Guptill adds that they Guptill admits that shift- cuss their journey of change
calves. March blizzards not used to spend $2,500 a year ing to calving in sync with in the South Dakota Grass-
only cause greater calf loss doctoring cattle for a 125- nature takes planning and land Coalition’s excellent 25-
during calving, but the added cow herd on large pastures. an openness to change and video series on Alternative
stress on those that survive “Today, even with a ranch to make mistakes. “If you Calving Dates.
also creates problems for a that ranges from 150 to 300 move your calving date to TSLN
long time in the animals.” cows, our vet bill dropped to where it’s supposed to be and
Blaalid agrees and actu- less than $50 a year. In 2021 cut your haying and feeding
ally culls cows to achieve it was less than $25.” in half, you’re going to be
smaller framed animals that