Comparing Spring and Fall Calving Seasons

John Johns – Animal SciencesLee Meyer – Agricultural Economics

2007 Agricultural and Natural Resources Update for Agents

October 23, 2007

Focus:

Which calving season is best for our farmers and how they should decide

and,

Which system is best for which type of farmers? (i.e. there may not be a general, fit all, recommendation)

Info Needed for Making Good Decisions:

Price Patterns Differences in Production Costs The “comfort” factor Winter feeding costs Health Issues Moving cows between seasons

Issues for Discussion: Increasing number of fall herds in

Kentucky – Why? Risk – what about drought years? Small vs. larger operations,

one herd – spring OR fall vs. Two herds – spring AND fall

Non-traditional (not hay-based) feeding programs

Extending ownership past weaning

Surveys show the months that most calves are born in Kentucky are February, March, April and September, October and November.

Twice as many calves are born in the spring months.

Why?

Background

Spring Calving - Advantages

Summer grazing costs are lower

Winter feeding – dry cows less supplemental feed needed easy

Less overall, year-round management

Spring Calving - Disadvantages

Weather Mud Cold Rain Ice

Market Discounts Selling in the Fall

Fescue pastures for rebreeding and calf growth

The alternative - Fall calving and Spring Weaning

Pros and Cons to Consider:

Feeding lactating cows during the winter

Productivity differences from a spring calving herd

Marketing/grazing options

Giving open cows a 2nd chance

Doubling bull use

Season of birth, calf birth weight and % calving difficulty

Birth Weight, lbs % Calving Problems

Trial Spring Fall Spring Fall

OK 74.6 67.4 21.4 15.9

LA 61 60 ------- --------

OK 87 72 ------- --------

OK 82 77 ------- --------

Reason: fall born calves generally have lighter birth weights compared to spring born.

Calving Season, Calf Loss and Cow Conception

Season Fall Spring

% Death Loss 1.3 5.5

% Conception 93 92.4

Calving Interval, Days

364 364

Cow Age, yrs 7.4 6.7

Calving Dates 9/1 – 11/15 1/1 – 3/15

JAS 64:687 (5 yr summary from LA)

Season of Birth and Calf Weaning Weight

Fall Spring

205 day weaning wt.

lbs

440 505

Thesis of Gary Hill, 1974 Kentucky

Season of Birth and Calf Actual Weaning Weight

Fall Spring

Days of age at weaning

288 211

Actual weaning

weight, lbs

592 494

Thesis of Gary Hill, 1974 Kentucky

Season of Birth and Calf Performance

Fall Spring

Birth Wt. lbs 60 61

205 day wt. lbs 439 442

Wean Wt. lbs (270 days)

528 469

JAS 64:687 (5 yr summary from LA)

Fall Calving Summary

More calves to sell Decreased weaning weights Increased sale weights Improved markets Increased nutrient demand Increased ration quality and amount

January Rations For Fall or Spring Calving Cows, lbs/cow/dayFeed Spring Fall

Fescue Hay 20 17.5

Soy Hulls 4.4 8.5

IRM High Mag .25 .25

Protein Block .50 1.0

1200 lb cows calving either 9/1 or 3/1. Fescue hay TDN = 50%, CP = 8.0% dry basis

Season of birth and cow hay intake

Spring Fall

Days Fed 92.5 97.5

Tons/Cow .98 1.18

% increase 20

JAS 64:687 (5 yr summary from LA)

Seasonal Price Index – Kentucky Feeder Steer Prices

0.8

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

500-600 wt.(00-06) 7-8 wt. ('00-'06)

Yr. Avg.

Med. and Large Frame #13-4 wt 4-5 wt 5-6 wt 6-7 wt 7-8 wt

Jan 99 98 97 97 98Feb 102 101 99 97 97Mar 104 104 103 99 97Apr 103 104 103 100 97May 100 101 102 100 98Jun 99 101 102 102 102Jul 99 100 102 103 103Aug 100 100 101 103 103Sep 99 98 99 101 103Oct 96 96 97 99 101Nov 97 97 97 99 101Dec 100 99 98 99 101

Seasonal Price Index – Ky. Feeder Steer Prices (1995-04)

0.85

0.90

0.95

1.00

1.05

1.10

1.15

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

400 to 500 lbs 600 to 700 lbs

Seasonal Price Index – Kentucky Feeder Heifer Prices 1995 - 2004

Yr. Avg.

Med. and Large Frame #13-4 wt 4-5 wt 5-6 wt 6-7 wt 7 & up

Jan 97 97 96 97 98Feb 100 100 98 97 98Mar 104 103 101 98 97Apr 105 104 102 99 97May 103 103 102 99 98Jun 102 103 103 103 101Jul 100 101 103 104 103Aug 100 101 102 104 103Sep 99 99 101 102 103Oct 96 96 98 100 101Nov 96 96 96 98 100Dec 98 98 98 99 101

Seasonal Price Index – Ky. Feeder Heifer Prices (1995-04)

Feeder Steer Prices500 -600 lb. M#1 Ky. Avg.

405060708090

100110120130140

$ /

cw

t.

1995-2007 2005 2006 2007

Feeder Steer Prices700 - 800 lb. M#1 Ky. Avg.

405060708090

100110120130140

$ /

cw

t.

2005 2006 2000-2006 2007

Spring vs. Fall BudgetsSpring 3/1; Fall 9/1; sell at 240 days

Productivity Spring Fall

Wean Wts: 500 lbs. 500 lbs.

Death loss: 5% 2%

Hay fed: 1.0 ton 1.5 ton

Grain fed: 5 bu. 15 bu.

Budgets: www.uky.edu/Ag/AgEcon/pubs/software/budgets_livestock.html

Spring vs. Fall BudgetsSpring 3/1; Fall 9/1; sell at 240 days

Economics Spring Fall

Returns/Cow: $413 $488 (+18%)

Feed Cost/cow: $197 $247 (+25%)

Var. Cost/cow: $368 $424

Returns over VC $45/cow $64/cow

Return to LCM -$70/cow -$51/cow

Economics of Weaning Weights

Research is not clear on differences in weaning weights; Fall is lower on 205 day basis Practical outcome is that weaning

weights are probably the same at 8 mo. weaning age

Sensitivity Analysis The breakeven point is a 25 lb. lower

weaning weight for fall calving

Other Economic Considerations

Extend ownership in the spring on fall-born calves – adds $40 - $60/hd.

Consider alternative feed ration to reduce winter feeding cost

Utilize stockpiled fescue to reduce feeding cost

Conclusions and Practicalities

Fall calving may be a good option for the single bull herd;

Close enough that larger herds may benefit from spring and fall herds;

And …