By Jamie Martin
Reproductive efficiency directly influences the financial success of cow-calf operations. While getting cows bred is essential, the timing of their calving also plays a critical role in profitability.
Economic research suggests that open cows should generally be culled or retained only in specific cases. However, ensuring cows conceive early in the breeding season significantly affects revenue, making it a key management consideration.
One major downside of late-calving cows is the reduced weaning weight of their offspring. Calves born later in the season are naturally younger at weaning, which results in lower weights.
Estimates suggest that each missed breeding cycle can lead to a 40-50 pound decrease in weaning weight. This weight reduction translates into a substantial revenue difference between cows bred in their first cycle and those bred in later cycles.
Another often-overlooked drawback of late-calving cows is the impact on lot sizes at sale time. Late-born calves tend to be fewer in number and are often sold in smaller groups.
Market data consistently demonstrates that larger groups of calves command higher prices per hundredweight (cwt). As a result, late-born calves may receive lower prices not only due to their lighter weight but also because they are sold in smaller lots.
Preconditioned feeder cattle sales in Kentucky illustrate this pricing trend. Sales data shows that a group of five calves earned $11 more per cwt than a single calf, while a group of ten received $15 more per cwt.
While larger groups are preferable, even small-scale producers can boost profitability by ensuring they sell calves in uniform groups of at least 5-10.
Ultimately, reproductive timing is about more than just conception-it’s about maximizing the value of each calf.
By improving breeding management and encouraging early calving, producers can increase weaning weights, enhance sale prices, and strengthen their bottom line.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: National