Many cattle operations around the area are starting to gear up for the 2023 calving season, in fact, some have already started.  The timing for calving is often a pivotal decision for ranchers as the birth of their calves determines the timeline for their entire program.  Obviously, the main objective of calving season is to have as many live, healthy calves born to raise over the coming months to later sell as the next generation of herd bulls, replacement heifers or to feedlots.  How that fits into an operation’s program or goals will dictate when they choose to calve out their herd.

Because each cattle operation has a different end goal in mind with various steps to meet that goal, the right timing for calving can be drastically different.  Feed quality and availability, marketing strategies, preparation for rebreeding, customer needs, facilities, overall expenses and so many other considerations weigh in on the best date for calves to start hitting the ground.

The number one consideration for a lot, if not most, operations is weather.  For some, they avoid the snow and bitter cold of the winter months and for others it makes for an ideal time to calve out their herd.  Oftentimes, farmers and ranchers are busy in fields during the other seasons of the year.  Since they aren’t spending their time farming, the wintertime is perfect for them to turn their focus to calving. 

There are many that choose to avoid calving in the cold weather at any cost, some pushing calving into March and April and for others, waiting even until the summer months. The majority of those don’t want to take on the additional risk that the cold weather brings.  Calves born during particularly cold temperatures run the chance of freezing, especially those first few hours when they are cold and wet.

Farmers and ranchers take into account their herd’s nutritional needs and what options they have readily available to meet those changing needs.  The peak nutritional needs of a cow hit about 8-12 weeks after a calf is born.  Not only is she at peak lactation, but also is cycling in preparation for the next breeding season.  With her body in demand of a high calorie and nutrient dense diet, making sure she has the right forages is crucial for the calf on her side as well as the next calf she will have.  

There are some areas that have a relatively small peak for nutritional value in their range forages.  Lining up that peak nutritional need in conjunction with peak forages often pushes cattlemen to calve in those early spring months, which in turn has their cattle out on good feed during those critical months.

For many operations in the western United States, running cattle on public rangelands in the summer months dictates when they will calve out.  These ranchers work to have all of their calves born and branded before their given turnout dates.  Ideally, the calves would be old enough and strong enough to walk long distances for the cattle drive to spring pasture.  

An operation’s overall program is a large consideration for when they will choose their calving season.  For those commercial herds, they hope to have as many healthy and heavy calves that they can when they go to ship out.  This means that efficient weight gain with the lowest inputs is the goal.  Experience has taught cattlemen that very little extra growth is seen in calves born in January versus those born in March.  During those few stressful months, those calves spend their extra calories maintaining their condition rather than growing.  The input costs of time, energy and money might not really be worth it in the long run.

For seedstock herds it could be a different story.  Their goal at the end of the year is having mature cattle ready for their upcoming breeding season.  In essence, maturity takes precedence over size.  Those few months might just be important to helping their next generation of her bulls and replacement heifers be reproductively ready.  

Early calving versus spring calving isn’t the only season that cattlemen decide between.  Many producers go beyond the traditional calving season and have calves born in the summer and fall months.  Again, their different programs, goals, needs and assets play a big part in their decision making.  

As earlier stated, late winter and early spring are the most traditional calving periods.  Down the line, this means that the majority of calves are ready to be sent to feedlots and, later, to be harvested at the same time.  There are many operations that choose to calve and therefore wean and ship in the off season to take advantage of the markets high demand and low supply.  

Many farmers and ranchers choose a later calving season because it is much less labor intensive.  There are fewer late-night checks, fewer birthing assists and a lesser need for calving facilities.  Summer and fall calving often avoids a lot of the sickness and other health concerns farmers and ranchers face while calving earlier in the year.  The snow melt and spring rains can be the perfect breeding ground for illnesses.

There are those operations that choose multiple calving seasons, capitalizing on the benefits of a spring and fall season and minimizing the losses and risks of both by having few calves in each season.  Seedstock producers consider this scenario to give their buyers more options when they are looking for herd bulls.

With so many elements at play to consider, there really is no wrong season for calving.  Finding what helps each operation meet their goals takes priority over any other thing to help producers be successful with their herds.  And thankfully, baby calves look cute in any season they are born in!