Calving

Minimal snow covers provides great winter grazing, but that grass may not be the best feed for yo...  More »

Minimal snow covers provides great winter grazing, but that grass may not be the best feed for your cows. Beef Specialist, Kris Ringwall, says more cows are in thin condition. Research shows that body condition is the number one indicator of the ability of a cow to calf. Ringwall says thin cows not only have more problems calving and rebreeding, but they can also pass those troubles along to their calves. (Kris Ringwall / NDSU Beef Specialist) "Our challenge is too make sure that calf is internally, as well as the cow, has good condition, good feed, good nutrition at all times. So what that means is the cow regardless of the weather being prepared is always fed well and she has to make that transition to the calf once she gives birth to that calf. That has to happen within 24 hours." Ringwall says it's not just about increasing the amount of feed. He encourages producers to look for any mineral imbalances in their feed rations.  « Less