Weaning time is also decision time; should ranchers sell heifer calves and take advantage of the current market environment or retain those heifers for the future of their herd? Either way, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Taylor Grussing says ranchers may want to consider purchasing bred females. “Buying pregnant cows that fit into a different calving window is a way to capitalize on some resources that are underutilized during parts of the calving season,” said Grussing. “Another option could be purchasing another class of animals, such as stock herd or crossbred animals that could rotate into a crossbred system.”
