Calving
3. What is the expected impact of the change in
timing of calving to when weaning occurs and calf
weaning weight?
Changing calving dates will likely change the time
of year when calves are weaned and weaning
weights. Nutritional needs of weaned calves and
how they are managed after weaning may need
to be adjusted significantly based on the age of
calf at weaning and available feed resources.
a later calving season. A change in genetics
may be needed to have cows that are adapted
to a more limited input production system
that can successfully breed in late summer on
pasture that is declining in quality. Evaluate
if the genetic change should occur through
selection internally or by selling the existing
herd and purchasing of genetics more adapted
to the calving season that is being considered.
4. How will the move impact
marketing of calves and market
timing?
Changing time of calving may
signicantly impact the value
and weight of calves at weaning
based on market seasonality and
demands. Examine the expected
value of weaned calves in the
proposed production system
as compared to the one that
is currently in place. Will the
proposed change in calving
result in a calf that would better
fit a wintering program and then
being marketed as yearling?
Changing time of calving may
also impact when non-pregnant
animals are sold. Historically
cull cow markets tend to hit
annual lows in the fall of the
year and then increase from
the fall on into the spring.
5. What will be the impact of a
change in calving to selection
and development of replacement
heifers?
The genetics that performed
acceptably under an early
spring calving season with
harvested feed may not perform
reproductively the same in
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