6 Tips for a Tighter Calving Window

Experts say a shorter calving season can optimize your barn’s productivity and your checkbook.

- Courtney Love

As black cows and their calves graze the lush, green, rolling southeast Pennsylvania pastures at Lisnageer Farm in Coatesville, Cheryl Fairbairn closely observes the mothers and calves. Over the years, Fairbairn has developed a no-nonsense approach to managing the breeding of her 120-head purebred Angus herd.

“The sole reason behind a tighter calving window is a uniform calf crop to sell. Having a group of calves ready for market in a similar weight range is more desirable for a feedlot or backgrounder,” said Fairbairn, a former Extension specialist with Pennsylvania State University.

Eric Bailey, a University of Missouri Extension cattle specialist, said the increased weight of early-born calves is a benefit. He said calves can gain 2 pounds a day from birth to weaning.

“You will be rewarded with heavier calves born earlier in the calving season so close together,” Bailey said.

A short calving season can also improve a cow herd’s reproduction productivity — giving farmers such as Fairbairn a peek into each female’s fertility. Females with high fertility usually are bred first, while others — especially with lower fertility — are bred later, which can risk the productivity of a calving season.

“When you see a female falling outside your season window, it means you must look at her genetics, environment, and fertility critically,” Fairbairn said.

1. Know Your Calving Window

The average beef producer has no ideal calving window, Bailey said. Picking the right time for calves to drop on the ground depends on your farm’s location and forage system.

Bailey said he is seeing many Missouri beef farmers switching their herds from spring calving to fall calving, so the cows and calves can benefit from the regrowth of their pastures’ cool-season grasses.