If there’s one time of year you absolutely cannot afford to fall behind, it’s the 60–90 days leading up to calving because winter management directly influences calving success and herd health.
Poor cow condition, weak calves, delayed breed-back, scours outbreaks, slow colostrum letdown—it almost always ties back to winter management, not spring calving.
So today, we’re breaking down the big three things that actually matter this time of year:
- Cow Body Condition (the non-negotiable foundation)
- Colostrum quality (your newborn’s first immune system)
- Trace minerals (small inputs, huge payoff)
No fluff. No theory. Just practical tips you can use this week to get ahead before calves hit the ground.
Let’s dig in.
Nutrition is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle. However, meeting these demands can be complicated.
The breeding season places significant demands on our cows, who play a crucial role in this process. They are not just animals in our operation but critical contributors to our success. During this time, they are expected to provide adequate nutrition for their calf and allow their bodies to recover from giving birth. Then, they are expected to return to estrus just before they are bred again. All of this is likely to occur within 90 days after calving to maintain a yearly calving interval. This cycle is essential for our operation’s success.
