While mature cow weights have climbed for 60 years, Oklahoma State analysis explains the link between cow size and carcass weight is more modest than the industry assumes.
There are many reasons to consider finishing calves on forage, however it can present two major challenges: land requirement and variable calf performance.
The increased cow mature weight equates to an increase in stocking rate if cow numbers are not adjusted. As stocking rate increases we know that weaning weights and rebreeding rates decrease.
Good growing conditions in 2023 provided producers with better hay production than seen in the last couple of years, so using high-quality hay as a supplement can definitely be an option this winter.
When cows get below their lower critical temperature and get into cold stress, they can adapt by increasing feed consumption to increase their basal metabolic rate and increase heat of fermentation.
