The Low Cost Cow/Calf Program is natural. Listen to the land, follow the seasons and employ a specific supplement program. All land is not the same -- All cows are not the same.

The Low Cost Cow/Calf Program is comprehensive. The financial success of any ranch must begin with conception rate. Most cow/calf operations can afford to increase conception rate. Young cows are 20% more likely to conceive, after calving, on the third cycle than the first. Therefore, it behooves Ranchers to manage the cows to experience short postcalving intervals so they visit the bull during the third heat period.

In the School we explore the many tools that are available to shorten the postcalving interval. A herd that has experienced a breeding season no longer than 45 days for a few years has a higher conception rate than with an extended season. The interaction of body condition score (BCS) at the time of calving and day length is vital to shortening the length of the postcalving period. Day of the year and latitude, or location of the ranch, determine day length. Therefore, each ranch has a required BCS that is most specific to its distinct location.

Another important tool to consider is the level of dietary energy. At certain stages of growth and development, it can impact the kinds of cells formed in some tissues - tissues related to reproduction. It is absolutely essential to ensure that these tissues’ cellular makeup supports the highest attainable fertility. The calf's physiological requirements for growth must be paired with forage energy content and the dam's milking ability. Ranchers also can take advantage of compensatory gain with both cows and calves. It is an additional, useful tool to increase fertility and reduce costs.

It often is the custom (of Ranchers and Nutritionists) to time the breeding so that the calf is about six weeks of age when the onset of lush, abundant forage occurs. With this scenario, it is necessary to maintain or increase condition of the cow prior to calving by the use of home-grown hay or purchased feed. As soon as the Rancher realizes that the cow's highest requirement for dietary energy is the conditioning period prior to calving, changes take place. The cows are bred to calve well into the season of lush forage production. The need for expensive supplemental-energy feeding is minimized.

The Low Cost Cow/Calf Program’s Supplement Formulation is thorough. The Rancher must have a working knowledge of nutrition in order to formulate supplements that maximize forage utilization and animal performance.

	From what supplemental ingredients are the nutrients available or unavailable to the animal? When is degradable protein needed and when is escape, or by-pass, protein required? What are good sources of these proteins?
	Answers to these and numerous other frequently asked questions can be found at the School.

Progressive Ranchers in possession of a calculator and an open mind will benefit from attending the School!