Calving season can be a stressful time, especially considering the unpredictability of when cows will calve. Keeping an eye on your herd is doable in the daylight, but management becomes more challenging during the dark of night.

Although somewhat out of producers’ control, research shows the timing of calving can be manipulated by adjusting the timing of feeding. Adele Harty, cow/calf field specialist with South Dakota State University Extension, says implementing a nighttime feeding regimen can lead to a greater number of calves born during the day.

The first person to put this idea into practice was a rancher from Manitoba by the name of Gus Konefal. He fed his herd twice a day – once between 11 a.m. and noon and again between 9:30 and 10 p.m. – and found approximately 80% of his cows calved between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. because of later feeding times.

The Konefal feeding method has since been examined in a study at Iowa State University. Two weeks before the expected start of calving, researchers began feeding cattle once a day at 4 p.m. The study shows 82% of cows calved between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and 91% of cows calved between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Only 9% of calves were born outside the window when traditional calf checks are performed. An important thing to note is that when heifers were separated from the data set and analyzed, 90% of the heifers also calved in this same time frame.

To further understand the effects of the Konefal feeding system, a survey was administered to 15 beef producers in Iowa and Missouri who used this method on their farms. After feeding their herds once a day between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., these producers reported nearly 85% of cows calved between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Compare this data to cows not on the Konefal feeding system in the same herds that were calving 50% during the day and 50% at night.

In Montana, a three-year study was completed to also evaluate differences in feeding time on calving time. The research results were less dramatic than those documented by Konefel and at Iowa State; however, there was a consistent 10% to 20% decline in the number of cows calving between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the late-fed cows compared to the early-fed cows.

Start four weeks ahead

Before implementing the Konefal feeding system on a farm, Harty offers producers some advice. She recommends introducing later feeding times to cattle at least one month before calving season is expected to start to give animals time to adapt.

Feeding consistency is also key. “Iowa State advises staying as close to the same feeding schedule and feed amount as possible each day,” Harty says. “Deviating more than 15 minutes or providing too much feed will negate some of the desired results.”

The Konefal feeding system is best in drylot situations where all of the animals’ feed is provided and regulated. Even so, Harty warns that adverse weather at the time of feeding can discourage cattle from going to a feedbunk, interfering with animals’ eating schedules.

Finally, producers need to continue checking their herds at night. Even though the Konefal feeding system has been shown to improve the likelihood of daytime births, this outcome is not guaranteed for every cow.

ALMOST TIME FOR SOME VEGETABLES IN THE GARDEN

February is here. That means that it is almost time to plant some “cool season” type vegetables in the garden. In our central part of the state onion transplants, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower transplants, parsley, spinach, turnips, asparagus and English peas can be planted after about February 15 – mid March. Easter this year will not be here until mid-April, which is later than most years. With that in mind, many people wait to plant the traditional “warm season” vegetables until Good Friday. So, you may want to delay planting your “cool season” vegetables a week or two.

Listed below is a cool season planting guide:

Asparagus – Plant crowns 12”-18” apart, 360-720 days to harvest

Beets – Plant seeds 4” apart, 65 days to harvest

Broccoli – Plant seeds or transplants, 12” apart, 85 days from seed, 70 from transplant days to harvest

Cabbage – Plant seeds or transplants, 12” apart, 90 days from seed, 60 from transplant to harvest

Carrots – Plant seeds, 1” – 2” apart, 70 days to harvest

Cauliflower -Plant transplants, 18” apart, 80 days to harvest

Collards (Kale) – Plant seeds or transplant, 8”-12” apart, 70 days to harvest

Onions – Plant transplant sets, 4” apart, 80 days to harvest

Spinach -Plant seeds, 4” apart, 60 days to harvest

Turnips – Plant seeds, 3”- 4” apart, 50 days to harvest

Success can depend on timing, variety selection, seed vigor, soil moisture, planting techniques and soil fertility. Do not cover the seed with too much soil.

Bigger is not always better when selecting transplants. A general guideline is to select transplants that are dark green, vigorously growing and free of spots or lesions.