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After the resounding success of the 21 Day Calving Challenge contest in 2015 the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, New Life Mills, Saltec-Ceres Industries, Cargill, and Co-op Feeds are once again hosting the contest – to raise awareness surrounding cow herd reproduction and tracking reproductive success.  This year the contest is better than ever with $4,000 in prizes up for grabs!

Cow herd reproduction is the most important factor affecting the profitability of Saskatchewan Beef Producers. It is five times more important than growth rate and ten times more important than carcass quality when it comes to contributing income to the ranch. One of the simplest ways to track the reproductive success of a cow-calf herd is to graph calving distribution, a simple calculation of how many calves are born in each 21 day period of the calving season.  To create a calving distribution, count the cows that have calved during the first 21 days of the calving season, divide by the total number of cows that calve in the season and multiply buy 100 to get the percentage of cows calving in the first 21 days. Repeat this for each of the next two 21 day periods.

The goal is to have at least 60 percent of the herd calving in the first 21 day period of the calving season. Why 60 percent?   

• Early calving cows stay on track.  Cows that are cycling and get bred in the first 21 days of the breeding season are more likely to be cycling and bred at the start of the next breeding season, provided that they are in good body condition and receiving adequate nutrition.

• Cows that calve in the first 21 days will wean heavier calves. Every time a cow misses a 21 day breeding cycle it could reduce weaning weight by 50 pounds .

• Heifer calves born in the first 21 days that are retained as replacement heifers are heavier and more likely to be cycling as a yearling heifer.

• Having a large proportion of calves born in the first 21 day period also creates a more even and uniform calf crop, simplifying management procedures and results in a marketing advantage.

Calving books are a simple record keeping system that can tell you more than which calf belongs to which cow. The Saskatchewan 21 Day Calving Challenge invites producers to record, measure and evaluate their calving season to see how their herd stacks up on reproduction and profitability. In taking the 21 Day Calving Challenge, producers will be provided with an official calving book to record the coming calving season and guide them in calculating their calving distribution percentages. In addition to providing a place for record keeping, the calving book is full of great production, nutrition and reproductive information.   

To participate in the contest, producers need to fill out the tear-away entry form at the back of the official calving book, or online, and send it in to enter the draw. Entries are submitted to the Agriculture Knowledge Center and must be received by June 1, 2016. Contest rules are also located in the calving book and online. Prizes for the contest include four $1,000 vouchers for beef mineral supplement sponsored by New Life Mills, Saltec-Ceres Industries, Cargill, and Co-op Feeds.

For more information or to obtain an official contest calving book, visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture booths at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, contact your local Regional Livestock Specialist, or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, 1-866-457-2377.