Let’s be honest—breeding season asks a lot from our cows. Within 90 days after calving, we expect them to nourish a growing calf, recover from giving birth, and cycle back into estrus so they’re ready to breed again. That’s a tall order, especially when you consider how much their performance impacts the success of our entire operation.
A yearly calving interval isn’t just a goal—it’s a financial necessity. If a cow isn’t giving you a calf every year, she’s not paying her way. And with rising input costs, feed bills, and tight margins, every open cow hurts a little more. Keeping cows on schedule helps maintain a steady bottom line.
But here’s the catch: cows can’t meet these demands on empty fuel tanks. To stay on track, they need proper nutrition at the right time. That means we’ve got to pay close attention to three things:
- Forage Quality – Is the grass packing the protein and energy she needs?
- Forage Quantity – Can she consume enough to meet her daily requirements?
- Her Stage of Production – Is she lactating, regaining body condition, or getting ready to breed?
Meeting her nutritional needs isn’t just about tossing out some cubes. It’s about understanding what she needs and ensuring your pastures—and your plan—can support her through this high-demand period.
Because when cows get what they need, they’ll give you what you want: a healthy calf on the ground, year after year. And that’s the kind of return we’re all after.
