Spring Versus Fall Calving By Dr. Lee Jones, DVM, M.S., Department of Population Health, Food Animal Health and Management, Tifton Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Associate Professor, University of Georgia

Spring versus Fall Calving

By Dr. Lee Jones, DVM, M.S., Department of Population Health, Food Animal Health and Management, Tifton Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Associate Professor, UGA

Last year, I decided to move the majority of my calving to late February and March. I still keep a few ET recipients to calve in late September and October for folks who want fall-calving ET calves, but I moved most of my commercial and purebred calves to spring. I did this for two main reasons: I didn’t want my calves to deal with cold, wet weather and muddy conditions; and I wanted to feed less during the winter. With feed prices this year being what they are, I am glad that I did.

I weigh calves when I wean, and I have noticed that my spring calves weigh more at weaning and I have lower inputs. It takes a lot of feed to carry a pair through the winter. I had to feed a lot to get my fall-calvers to wean a 550-pound calf, but my spring-calvers weaned 600-pound calves all by themselves. However, other studies have shown the opposite: Fall-born calves weighed more at weaning than spring-born calves weaned at the same age. The biggest factor is inputs determined by resources.

According to USDA surveys, only about a third of Southeast beef cattle owners even have a “calving season” – that is, most owners leave their bulls out with cows year-round. Cows calve throughout the year, and owners just wean calves as they get big enough or until they need some cash. This is the “savings account” beef herd: Just make withdrawals as needed. And, to be honest, it works for some folks – though the efficiency of these enterprises probably could be improved significantly. Having a season improves management, makes supplementation more efficient, and can enhance marketing options.

If you want to go from year-round calving to a controlled calving season, which season should you choose? The first consideration is to choose a season that fits your lifestyle. Most people in the Southeast own cows because they like cows and enjoy the supplemental income or enjoy the tax advantages. Family or personal income and cash flow also play into when to calve.

Calf health is a significant factor. Usually, calves born early in fall have fewer health problems, compared to calves born during colder, wet weather. During the last few years in South Georgia, we have experienced muddy, cold winter conditions. Calves born during times of cold, wet conditions are at higher risk of developing scours and respiratory disease. Small, newborn calves can get chilled faster than calves that are 2-3 months old. Avoiding times of muddy, cold conditions may improve calf health and survival. Calves born in spring months (March-May) also are usually born in milder weather,

depending on the area. Though some regions have experienced spring snows, which increase risks to calves, most of the time late-spring calves experience fewer health issues compared to winter-born calves.

Cow condition also impacts calf health. Keeping cows in good condition requires feed or quality grazing. Feeding cows economically is key to profitability. Feed resources are determined by price and availability. Feed, such as hay and grain, is typically available in the fall, and prices are usually cheaper when inventory is high. However, that is not always the case – and availability and price can be impacted by drought, such as in 2022. In addition, availability and price can be impacted depending on whether you live in areas that have winter grazing or in areas such as South Georgia where you have to plant winter forages. In some regions, where farmers have cool- and warm-season forage, grazing can be managed to minimize winter feeding. In areas where winter supplemental grazing has to be planted, it pays to consider costs of planting and fertilizer, compared to price and availability of supplemental hay and other feed or supplement.

Labor is another consideration. Most small, family farms primarily use family labor, and a few might employ someone part-time to look after the farm or do chores when the owner is away. Is there a time of year when cows need to fend for themselves because there are other priorities that come first? Then that might not be the best time to have cows calving or to be feeding cows. Is it difficult to check cows after dark during the short days from December through February? Do you have enough time or help to care for calves during certain times of the year? By intentionally avoiding those times, you could improve calf survival and overall weaning percentage of your farm.

As a rule, feeder calf prices are often higher in the spring compared to fall. Fall-born calves marketed in the spring usually receive better prices than spring calves marketed in the fall. But does the price received offset the added costs of inputs? I also sell beef locally, either in packages or by the carcass. So, I need some finished calves available year-round to keep customers happy. Can I satisfy the demand for beef by grazing and feeding calves longer, or do I need calves born in multiple seasons? How and where I market calves then determines my calving season.

Purebred producers need to consider customer preferences when marketing replacements. Most buyers prefer to buy older bulls. So, breeders need to calve their purebred herds ahead of most commercial programs, so that they have older bulls available. Though that also comes with higher input costs, the purchase price often covers the added expense.

Cows grazing quality forage tend to be more fertile than cows fed stored feed. The percentage of cows bred and when they conceive (early or late in the breeding season) determines weaning weight and rate. If you market feeder calves after weaning, you want pounds. Breeding when you have the bestquality forage is probably ideal. Not only are the cows more fertile, but they are also grazing during peak lactation and producing adequate milk for their calves. This is a win-win for farmers and cows.

When you calve may also determine the herd health program. Having a solid herd health and nutrition program will improve cow fertility and calf health. The timing and selection of components such as vaccinations may change, depending on when cows calve. Designing an effective herd health program to meet your needs is a conversation to have with your veterinarian.

Convenience, resources, market (calf price) and goals all determine when is best to calve for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to deciding when to calve. It is relatively easy to move calving seasons later by delaying bull exposure; but moving earlier is more difficult. There are several Extension articles describing how to move calving seasons to reduce economic impact. Delayed breeding also delays income, so that decision has to be carefully considered. However, moving to a more efficient, convenient season may improve profitability in the long run.