NDSU Extension Offers Considerations for Backgrounding Calf Management

By Karl Hoppe

While calf prices have fallen in fall 2025, calf prices are still historically high. With relatively low 2025 feed grain prices, growing calves past weaning can still make backgrounding economically feasible.

North Dakota State University Extension cattle specialists have provided a new series of backgrounding calf management videos. The series is found on the NDSU Extension website at ndsu.ag/backgrounding25.

Calf weaning in October was once common in North Dakota. Now, weaning occurs in November and December, with calves weaned in December, primarily due to their younger age.

Younger calves also mean lighter calves. Growing calves beyond weaning, where calves are fed a ration instead of grazing, is called backgrounding. The extended feeding period after weaning allows calves to acclimate to health and vaccinations, creates a transition to different feed rations and causes a delay in marketing.

Bryon Parman, NDSU Extension agricultural finance specialist, says producers feeding calves to a heavier weight should consider a budget for the outcome.

“Feed costs are only part of the consideration, since the price of weaned calves and backgrounded calves is extremely important,” says Parman.