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Controlled versus Continuous Calving Seasons in the South:What’s at Stake?

Damona Doye, Michael Popp and, Chuck West (2008)

Summary

This paper analyzed the financial ramifications of differences in seasonal input requirements of cowcalf operations by comparing a defined 90-day calving season to year-round calving. Assuming the same calving rate and labor requirements for both production systems, as well as no premiums for larger, more uniform lots of calves with the controlled calving season, uncontrolled calving resulted in slightly higher returns primarily due to better seasonal forage utilization. However, minimal changes to calving rate, expected calf price premiums, and changes in labor requirements favored controlled calving with returns deemed insufficient for small operators to switch from their current practice.