Effects of Cow Body Condition and Calving Date on Calf Performance

Records from 285 Charolais-sired calves out of 133 Simmental x Angus crossbred cows taken over 3 years were used to evaluate the influence of cow body condition at calving, condition score change following calving and calf birth date on calf performance. Calves nursing cows with higher condition scores in March had increased daily gains from birth until May. However, at weaning time average daily gain and weaning weights were similar regardless of cow condition at calving. Cows which maintained body condition or lost less than two condition scores from March to May weaned heavier calves than cows which lost two or more condition scores after calving. Calf growth rate from birth until 6 months of age was similar between calves born early and those born late in the calving season