As preparations for calving season start, a dilemma plays out in the cattle industry each year: Which comes first, calving or rebreeding? A producer might put all of his eggs in the calving “basket,” since a live, healthy calf is often the first priority. However, a calf is ultimately the result of a successful breeding period, and preparation for calving and rebreeding should occur simultaneously.

“Calving and rebreeding ideally occur within a relatively short but very critical 85-day window,” said Dr. Chad Zehnder, a cattle consultant with Purina Animal Nutrition. “How a heifer or cow calves out at the beginning of the window will impact her ability to get bred at the end of the window, and how quickly rebreeding occurs will impact a cow’s ability to stay on a 365-day calving cycle.”

Here are four strategies that can be implemented now to prepare for spring calving and rebreeding:

1. Monitor body condition score (BCS). The BCS of a cow at calving not only affects colostrum quality, cow stamina (to get through birthing) and calf vigor, but it also affects the time until that cow starts cycling again.

“We want cows cycling prior to the breeding season so that when they come into heat during breeding season, we have a better chance of getting them bred in the first 21 days. Cows bred early in the breeding season will result in calves born early in calving season,” Zehnder said.

Calf age has the biggest effect on weaning weight. Therefore, calves born in the first 21 days of the season are likely to be heavier at weaning. If one estimates that a calf gains between 2.25 and 2.50 lb. per day, every heat cycle is worth roughly 50 lb. That’s why it’s so critical to get cows rebred on the first cycle.

Mature cows should calve in at a minimum BCS of 5.5 but preferably at a score of 6.0. Heifers should calve at a minimum BCS of 6.0. Supplementation can help maintain a consistent BCS, which can lead to cows breeding back quickly, optimized conception rates and heavier calf weaning weights.

2. Evaluate mineral programs. Mineral nutrition is one of the most commonly overlooked items on the calving and rebreeding preparation list.

“We tend to think about the importance of minerals either right at calving or before breeding, but we need to make sure we’re providing an adequate mineral program year-round,” Zehnder said. “Minerals are especially important 60-90 days before calving, since they impact colostrum quality, calf trace mineral status and calf health.”

Minerals also play a role in tissue repair, helping the cow’s reproductive tract repair from calving and prepare for breeding. If the tract is not fully repaired, a cow may have challenges being rebred, or she may not breed back at all.

A program with highly bioavailable trace mineral sources can be of benefit, especially leading up to calving season and through breeding. The bioavailability of a mineral source alters the absorptive ability of the trace minerals eliciting their full benefit.

3. Discuss herd health with a veterinarian. If a cattle producer doesn’t have a comprehensive herd health program, now is the time to talk with a veterinarian or animal health supplier to develop one. If you have a program, it can be beneficial to re-evaluate it to make sure the protocols still make sense.

“Make sure you have a vaccination program in place for both cows and calves,” Zehnder said. “Since every operation has a different risk level in how and when they calve, the program should be specific to your operation and region.”

For operations with multiple employees, make sure everyone is familiar and comfortable with the program ahead of time. Getting everyone on the same page before calving begins can help ensure that protocols are followed correctly and consistently.

4. Take time to troubleshoot. Calving and rebreeding are two of the most important events for a cow/calf operation’s bottom line, which makes it stressful when things don’t go as planned. However, an overreaction may make things even worse.

“It’s easy to get frustrated when there’s a bump in the road, but it’s important to take an objective approach when a challenge arises,” Zehnder said. “Troubleshoot and try to figure out what the true cause is versus making a knee-jerk decision.”

Involve a nutritionist, veterinarian, suppliers, employees and other key personnel to help work through a cause and solution. A team discussion can help identify the diagnostic work needed to find a solution.

Regardless of which takes priority in your mind, calving and rebreeding success is always "in season."

“We need to think about that critical 85-day window year-round. Every management decision we make throughout the year should focus on a cow delivering a live, healthy calf and being bred back in that time frame,” Zehnder said.