SDSU Extension Specialists say recent studies have shown that feeding cows at night can significantly alter the percentage of calves born during the day. SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist Taylor Grussing says results of research done in Canada and replicated at Iowa State University shows this feeding strategy results in 85-percent of cows calving between roughly 6am and midnight.
She says calving in the day is healthier for the animals and helps them withstand weather stresses.
Grussing adds that during cold and wet weather it’s important to increase the energy content of the feed ration, regardless of the time of day it is being fed.
Grussing says the Iowa State data also advises cattle producers to stay as close to the same feeding schedule and feed volumes as possible each day. Deviating more than 15 minutes or providing too much feed will yield in less desirable results.
