BLKCOW - 3/28/2024 15:18 As the demand for yearlings to graze in the spring has grown I do see some people changing their operations. 500-600 pound long weaned steers in about February to March is about as good as it gets a lot of years. So backing up calving dates but also realizing it doesn't take a 1800 pound cow and a 2400 pound bull to produce some ofthe highest priced calves of the year. Actually one of the most profound changes in the cattle industry. Also with the right kind of cow you can keep the calves on longer and wean in weather less prone to temperature fluctuations. My father believed in weaning after they have had snow on their backs. I agree with your Dad about weaning when they have snow on their backs = let the cow feed them longer. Also agree this takes the right kind of cow. These you develop over years. There is a lot of commercial pressure to wean early by folks that want to sell something. I wean May calves generally between Christmas and New Years, +/- depending on the weather. Don't want to wean in a blizzard. sometimes as late as Feb for cows that have not yet self-weaned their calves. There are several interesting comments in this thread about selling 8-900 lb yearlings or near yearlings rather than 5-600 lb calves in the fall. All depends on your location, operation and resources. Good, thoughtful discussion. | 
Best time of year for calving
