Cow Herd Management
year. Research has shown
heifers calving earlier in their
first calving season remained in
the herd longer and produced
greater calf weaning weights
compared with heifers calving
later in the season, allowing
for greater longevity and
lifetime productivity. Calf age
is the biggest factor impacting
weaning weight in cow-calf
operations. Herds with short
calving seasons will wean heavier
calves compared with herds that
have a longer calving season.
later-born steers weighed more
at weaning; and ultimately
produced a heavier carcass,
higher marbling score, and
greater carcass value.
Management strategies for
increasing the proportion
of early calving heifers and
cows are discussed in a
proceedings paper from Applied
Reproductive Strategies in
Beef Cattle conference held in
Manhattan, KS, in 2017. I
Maximizing the proportion
of cows that conceive early in
the breeding season cannot
be overemphasized in a beef
herd. Data from the University
of Nebraska reported heifers
born during the first 20 days of
the calving season compared to
heifers born later were heavier
at weaning, prebreeding, and
calving; ore likely to be cycling
by the start of the breeding
season; and more likely to
get pregnant. Heifers that
conceive early in the breeding
season stay in the herd longer,
which increases profitability.
Decreasing the calving period
has far-reaching implications
beyond the cow-calf enterprise.
Steer progeny born during the
first 20 days compared with
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