Breeding season prep isn’t just another thing on your to-do list—it’s one of the most essential parts of your ranch’s success. For cow/calf producers, the steps you take before the season starts can make or break your calf crop. At the end of the day, it’s those good-quality calves that bring in the income and keep your operation moving forward. A healthy, consistent calf crop isn’t luck—it results from solid planning and management.
As a rancher, you wield more control over the breeding season than you might realize. The decisions you make before and during calving season significantly influence the outcomes. By being proactive now—by ensuring proper nutrition, maintaining herd health, and checking your breeding stock—you can set a strong foundation for the season. However, falling behind could mean spending the entire year playing catch-up. Every action you take, from nutrition to vaccination, sets the stage for your herd’s health and fertility.
One key number to keep in mind is 80 days. That’s how long you’ve got after a cow calves to get her bred again if you want her to produce a calf every year. Sounds doable, but remember—she won’t even come back into heat for at least the first 30 days after calving. That means your actual window to get her rebred is shorter than you think. To stay on track, there are three big areas to focus on: nutrition, vaccinations, and breeding soundness exams. Let’s break each one down to help you set up for a productive, profitable breeding season.
