Video: How to increase profit by improving calving distribution
Calving distribution has been shown to have one of the biggest economic impacts on cow-calf operations. The industry recommendation for calving season length is 63 days for cows and 42 days for heifers. This shines light on breeding management beyond a pregnancy rate. While high pregnancy rate is desired, there are potential economic losses if producers don’t have 60% of their cows calving in the first 21 days.
The BCRC’s Value of Calving Distribution Calculator allows producers to see their current calving distribution and their short-term economic benefit of moving to the industry target of 60-25-10-5 (60% of females calving within the first cycle, followed by 25% calving between 21-42 days, 10% between 42-63 days and the remaining 5% calving in the fourth and final cycle) or a condensed breeding season of three cycles.