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Calving Season

Calving Season. Lori R. Puryear Robyn D. Whittington. Calving Season. What is a calving season? Why should I have a calving season? How do I convert to a calving season?. What is a calving season?.

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Calving Season

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  1. Calving Season Lori R. Puryear Robyn D. Whittington

  2. Calving Season • What is a calving season? • Why should I have a calving season? • How do I convert to a calving season?

  3. What is a calving season? • Developing specific predertermined strategies on when to begin and end the breeding season. • Length of breeding season varies according to marketing objective, size of operation and personal preference.

  4. A Few Numbers • 70% of cow calf producers in the southeast still calve year round • Of the 30% that have a calving season • 75% calve in late winter/spring • 25% calve in fall

  5. Why should I have a calving season? • Nutrient requirements of cows is more easily fulfilled • Cows can be more easily observed for calving difficulties • Calf crop is more uniform for marketing purposes • Improved time and labor management • Easier identification of reproductively unsound cows

  6. Nutrient requirements • Vary within the herd due to phase of lactation and reproductive state • Grouping may be necessary • Heifers • Cows • Feeding cattle according to their nutritional needs reduces costs associated with wasted feed and delayed puberty

  7. Calving Difficulty • Allows for more intense observation of cows during calving • Failure to identify calving difficulties can result in loss of calf and/or cow. • Especially important in first calf heifers Controlled Breeding results in Controlled Calving: Once the calving season ends the producer can focus on other needs of the herd

  8. Uniformity • A calving season allows for more uniform calves which improves: • Marketing • Management

  9. Time & Labor Management Year round calving results in year round calf processing and missed profits.

  10. Time & Labor Management • Vaccinations • Castrations • Dehorning • Deworming & Fly tags • Weaning • Record Keeping • Implants

  11. Time & Labor Management Year round calving causes lower prices due to: • variability in the calf crop • discounts caused by missed management practices

  12. ID of Reproductive Problems • Open cows • Calving intervals • Dystocia • Mastitis/Udder Problems • Uterine infections/Prolapses

  13. How do I convert to a calving season? • 3-4 year process • Set target breeding/calving dates • Pay careful attention to potential culling • May consider split calving seasons • Have a plan!

  14. How do I convert to a calving season? First Year  1: Build a good, strong bull pen.  2: Remove bull from herd.  3: Pregnancy check all cows.   Cull:   a: All open breeding-age females    b: All open cows with calves 5 months of age or older  4:Place bull with cows for 6 months.  5:Breed Replacement heifers 3 to 4 weeks ahead of the final long-range planned breeding. Second Year 1.Follow all previous steps except leave bull with cows for 4½ months. Third Year 1:Follow all previous steps except leave bull with cows for 80 to 90 days.   Cull:   a: All open cows regardless of age of their calves.  2:The breeding season may be reduced even further in following years.

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