The beef industry has seen a “down-sizing” due to the drought
affecting many cow herds. Much has been written and spoken about
the need to “rebuild the cow herd.” When the return of good
moisture allows for adequate forage growth and pasture
conditions to improve, ranchers may need to self-examine their
operations and look at breeding season alternatives that provide
greater sustainability moving forward. Southern Plains producers
have many alternatives for calving seasons. Spring and fall are
the seasons of choice. Traditionally many herds have been bred
to calve in February, March, and April. Some fall calving
seasons have arisen from elongated spring seasons. Other fall
calving herds were created by design to take advantage of
improved cow condition at calving, improved market conditions
when calves and cull cows are sold, and less weather (heat)
stress on cows and bulls during the breeding season. Deciding on
the use of one calving season or two calving seasons is a big
first decision when producers are c