The David McMahon Family
Lavaca, Arkansas
P.O. Box 517, Fort Smith, AR 72902
Phone 479-782-5579
Fax 479-782-8210
www.bellepointranch.com
Be a part of the Arkansas Section, call
Karri Mildenberger
(816) 383-5289
kmildenberger@angusjournal.com
or
Adam Conover
(816) 676-8560
Subiaco, Arkansas 72865
Craig Layes, Farm Manager • Cell (479) 438-4876
Home (479) 938-2591
Office (479) 934-4567
Bulls for Sale
Top A.I. Sires in use
July 2015
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calving season were heavier at weaning, more
were cycling at the beginning of their frst
breeding season, pregnancy rate was greater
than those heifers born during the third 21-
day period of the calving season, and more
calved during the frst 21-day period of their
frst calving season.
Another big data set indicates that female
calves born during the frst 21-day period of
the calving season and kept as replacements
remain in the herd as cows for more years
compared to those heifers born in the second
or third 21-day period of the calving season
and retained as replacement females. For a
commercial cow-calf enterprise, this means
potentially fewer replacements are needed,
more calves are available to sell at weaning,
and a higher proportion of the cow herd
consists of mature cows that are the most
productive part of the cow herd.
Final thoughts
Nutrition is important in the cow-
calf enterprise. Feed costs are the major
component of annual cows costs, so feed
costs must be monitored closely. To squeeze
every penny of potential proft will take
good management of the nutrition program.
Calculate calf-crop percentage and calving
distribution for your cow herd because
they are two really important calculations.
Calving distribution is important to monitor
as it affects some important economic
components of a cow-calf enterprise. Calf-
crop percentage and calving distribution are
affected by body condition at calving and,
therefore, the nutrition program.
EMAIL: rrasby@unlnotes.unl.edu
Editor's Note: Rick Rasby is a beef specialist with
the University of Nebraska.