CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Thought this article might be of interest to some. (On a personal note, since we bumped our feeding time from morning to evening (a couple years ago), we've noticed that the majority of our calves are born in the late morning/early afternoon.)
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Feed time for cows may affect calving Feb.27/05
Studies suggest late afternoon or evening feeding will promote daytime birth.
Beef calving season brings calving difficulties, lost calves and sleepless nights for producers. One possible solution to decreasing deaths and overcoming birthing problems is daylight calving.
According to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension, a Canadian producer noted several years ago that if he fed his pregnant cows in the late afternoon or early evening, more calves were born in the daylight hours.
"Most folks felt it was just accidental, but studies since then in the United States and numerous testimonials by local cattle producers, seem to support the original observation," said Cole.
An Iowa State survey of producers showed that if cows were fed in the morning only, 49.8 percent calved between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Cows that were fed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. had 85.1 percent of their calves during the daylight. More than 2,000 births were included in that survey.
"We do not know exactly why we see this shift in calving relative to feeding time. It may be something as simple as eating and rumination time or it could be linked to body temperature changes," Cole said.
A cow's body temperature drops a couple of degrees about 16 hours before calving. In contrast, a cow's temperature rises about a degree for a couple of hours after eating.
Cole encourages any producer who tries evening feedings to keep close tabs on calving times to decide whether it helps. He also recommends moving feeding time to late afternoon or early evening three or four weeks ahead of calving season, or as soon as possible.
"Since first-calf heifers are the most likely to need assistance, they would be the group of females to work into this altered feeding schedule," said Cole.
But Cole also says to remember that the feeding time switch is not going to be as effective when winter grazing is plentiful or hay is free choice, as when cows are receiving mostly daily fed hay.
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Take care.
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Feed time for cows may affect calving Feb.27/05
Studies suggest late afternoon or evening feeding will promote daytime birth.
Beef calving season brings calving difficulties, lost calves and sleepless nights for producers. One possible solution to decreasing deaths and overcoming birthing problems is daylight calving.
According to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension, a Canadian producer noted several years ago that if he fed his pregnant cows in the late afternoon or early evening, more calves were born in the daylight hours.
"Most folks felt it was just accidental, but studies since then in the United States and numerous testimonials by local cattle producers, seem to support the original observation," said Cole.
An Iowa State survey of producers showed that if cows were fed in the morning only, 49.8 percent calved between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Cows that were fed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. had 85.1 percent of their calves during the daylight. More than 2,000 births were included in that survey.
"We do not know exactly why we see this shift in calving relative to feeding time. It may be something as simple as eating and rumination time or it could be linked to body temperature changes," Cole said.
A cow's body temperature drops a couple of degrees about 16 hours before calving. In contrast, a cow's temperature rises about a degree for a couple of hours after eating.
Cole encourages any producer who tries evening feedings to keep close tabs on calving times to decide whether it helps. He also recommends moving feeding time to late afternoon or early evening three or four weeks ahead of calving season, or as soon as possible.
"Since first-calf heifers are the most likely to need assistance, they would be the group of females to work into this altered feeding schedule," said Cole.
But Cole also says to remember that the feeding time switch is not going to be as effective when winter grazing is plentiful or hay is free choice, as when cows are receiving mostly daily fed hay.
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Take care.
