Winter calving season has been underway for a few weeks now, and it’s now into the coldest air of the season.
Lyon County Extension ag agent Brian Rees tells KVOE News caloric intake is a major factor in how well heifers and calves fare in cold conditions.
Whether conditions are wet or dry is another issue. Rees says calves will nestle down into taller grass and be well protected from the elements, so long as conditions are dry.
Rees also says ranchers need to watch their exposure and their caloric intake as well.
Proper hydration is another item worth considering for humans and cattle alike.
Winter calving has become popular among ranchers for convenience and marketing, according to Rees. Producers have focused on marketing pounds for calves, Rees says, and the earlier calves are available, the more pounds are available to sell. There has been some discussion about pushing the calving season to April or May, where grasses are more readily available and there is less of a need for supplemental feeding — in addition to less chances for wintry weather.
So far, this calving season had enjoyed mild conditions until this past weekend. Rees says mud had been an occasional issue in late December and parts of January, but cattle haven’t been stressed by weather until the last few days.
