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At the International Stockman's School in San Antonio, Texas, in 1979, the famous cattleman, professor and veterinarian Jan C. Bonsma said that the highest sexual activity of cattle was at the equinox. They then used a spring and a fall breeding season, and later changed to only a spring breeding season to achieve the maximum calving percentage. (Information from the International Cattle Science Handbook, Vol. 17, 1997. For a copy of the report, contact Dr. Jim Sprague.) The reason for the natural breeding season is speculated to match the availability of lush grass to hasten the cycling of the cows. Another possible reason is the natural estrogens in the lush forage will stimulate breeding activity. The change in the light to dark ratio is also known to stimulate sexual activity. Spring calving is generally accepted as the preferred time for calving in the United States and Canada. Reasons for Fall Calving The most common reasons for fall calving are:
High Quality Hay Available (at a low price) This year there is an abundance of high quality forage in the great plains states and prairie provinces. The roughages begging to be used are forage sorghum, grass hay, and low to medium quality alfalfa hay. In addition, grains and protein supplements are also at a low price.
Cool season grasses like blue grass, fescue, and brome make a second growth spurt in the cooler weather of the fall. These forages can be used for a fall calving herd. In addition, small grain grazing is a great way to flush fall calving cows to increase cycling before breeding. Grazing wheat, rye, oates and triticale are a high energy feed for both the cows and calves. Caution: have plenty of mineral with magnesium and salt for grass tetany prevention. Management Reasons for Fall Calving One of my favorite stories about a New Mexico rancher goes like this. I asked, "When do you calve?" He answered, "We calve year round. A late calf is better than none at all." Therefore, one reason for a fall calving herd to pick up the late breeders and add them to the fall calving herd. Another reason is to spread out the labor load. It takes a lot of attention for a tight spring calving season. Certainly the calving season for a stockfarm operation cannot coincide with planting or harvesting season. Get Away From Spring Storms One reason for delaying the spring calving season and changing to a fall calving period is to move the time away from spring snow storms that plague operators in the plains states and provinces. There are also advantages in herd health factors for having a fall calving time. Market Timing An advantage for fall calving is the production of a calf for pasturing the next spring and summer. This tactic will produce an efficient calf ready for growing and feeding in the feedlot next summer. The cows will have an abundance of milk for the calves in the spring. Selecting the Breed For Fall Calving The cow is just an incubator. It seems logically that one of the down sides of fall calving is the potential need for a cow and calf that can tolerate a cold winter and wet cold springs. The British breeds have a longer hair coat and are possibly more hardy than some of the European breeds. The Brahma breeds or first crosses are not recommended for the cold areas. The fall calving cow needs to be an "easy keeper" so she does not eat the rancher out of house and home before spring. The fall calving herd will require a considerable amount of stockpiled forage. The requirement for milk production is considerable. The program will require low cost forages. Additional energy feeds will need to be used during the lactation period if fall pastures are not available. Fall grass pastures will drop in protein and protein supplementation will be required with low protein pastures or low protein hays. Work with your nutritionist or feed manufacturer to evaluate the quality of your forages and pastures. For questions and comments about this article, contact Dr. Jim Sprague, 1021 N. 2nd Street, Garden City, Kansas, 67846. Or call 620-276-8966. |
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