Question

[magpie]

Sitting here thinking about changing our calving to may-June period from Feb.-march. Here in Mb, temps can get quite low in Feb., even thou we have shelter for cows at calving and shelter with lots of straw for calves, maybe it’s time to work with mother nature and calve like the wild animals in spring. My question is, has anyone made this move to calve in spring vs. winter? Have you regretted it or embraced it? Would you recommend it? Has it made much of a difference in costs or bottom line?

[cowman]

Well I would definitely think you won't have to live with them like you do winter calving. That is a lot easier but maybe not better? When you are checking them every couple of hours you sure are going to pick up on any problems real quick...maybe not when the weather is balmy and they are spread over a large area?
Winter calving gives you a big calf in the fall. May/June is going to give you a smaller calf. You get paid for pounds.
I would suggest if you are calving late like that then be prepared to feed them, which means be prepared to deal with all the joys of weaned calves.
Despite the rigors of winter calving, it can be a very good use of time? What else can you do in the winter? Will spring calving interfere with planting crops or spraying? Nothing as frustrating as shutting down the seed drill to go help some darned old cow calve!

[JD6320]

Cowman,

Its not the size of the calf in the fall that dictates profitablity, its your cost to produce a pound of calf that matters.
Tom

[wd40]

Bang on Tom - An old cowman friend of mine told me many years ago. "The good Lord trained and aranged the wildlife to calve on green grass, and wean early. When you mess with nature it will cost you.
The available forages are then usually tuned to the cows reproductive needs. ?