Who says January calving is brutal?

[Battle T]

After a couple of dead preemies. Calving has been gong along wonderfully, Pretty much done the hfrs and lots of light calves, almost too light. 7-10 days early gestation. We have had two weeks of georgeous weather with no snow and 10-15* above average. it was -20c this am but a good barn and cooperative cows it is actually enjoyable calving again. I am a third done and am getting 2-3 per day and the next 10 days look good, so maybe I will make it!

This is a Final Answer cow with an EXAR Upshot calf born this am



Sometimes a protective mother and fast calf make photo ops tough

 

[jodywy]

but yesterday it was -27F or -32.2 c and the high was -1f or -18 c

 

[Denny]

It's -33 f with the wind chill here I'm glad mine aren't due until april.But I have no decent building.

 

[Battle T]

but yesterday it was -27F or -32.2 c and the high was -1f or -18 c

I have calved out a lot of cows when it was a lot colder than that. Not a lot of fun but I am generally set up for it. But is also not a lot of fun calving in 6" of mud either. I'm not tying to extoll the virtues if winter calving or start a fight, but I has been nice weather and given my job responsibilities its the best month of the year for us.

 

[Silver]

This January is stacking up to look like it would have been a great calving month here. It's been above freezing every day for the last 8 or 10 days, supposed to be +12C day after tomorrow. I'm sure we'll pay for this weather come March when we start.
Glad things are going well for you Battle T

 

[Red Barn Angus]

That little one was fast! He's a healthy one.

I'd sure like to see more pictures of your calving barn inside and out. That looks like a dandy. Thanks.

 

[burnt]

This January is stacking up to look like it would have been a great calving month here. It's been above freezing every day for the last 8 or 10 days, supposed to be +12C day after tomorrow. I'm sure we'll pay for this weather come March when we start.
Glad things are going well for you Battle T

Well Silver, we must be getting your share of the cold down here in the south-east. :?


They say it's healthy though!

 

[Spanish Johhny]

What would those cows have been be feeding on in the last trimester?
(nice January here too but I haven't got the 'nads to change my calving season just yet!)

 

[Battle T]

What would those cows have been be feeding on in the last trimester?
(nice January here too but I haven't got the 'nads to change my calving season just yet!)

I feed first cut hay and free choice mineral until calving, then I switch to wrapped barley silage and then to second cut in mid march as I approach breeding
. I find weaning in early oct really gets the cows in shape to calve in cold weather.